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Iowa early News Headlines: Wed., March 20th 2013

News

March 20th, 2013 by Ric Hanson

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The Iowa Senate has approved legislation that would give preference to Iowa businesses when the state is purchasing certain supplies and services. Lawmakers passed the measure 34-16 yesterday with bipartisan support. It would give Iowa-based businesses a second chance to match the lowest bid by an out-of-state business for goods and services that cost the state under $500,000. The measure now heads to the House.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad’s plan to cut commercial property taxes in Iowa has won committee approval in the Republican-controlled House. The bill would gradually reduce taxable assessments for commercial property owners by 20 percent. It goes to the full House for a vote and faces an uncertain future in the Democratic-majority Senate.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Illinois and Iowa could get into a bidding war over a $1.2 billion fertilizer production facility. According to Illinois officials, Iowa is offering Cronus Chemical an estimated $35 million in taxpayer subsidies to build a plant in Mitchell County near the Minnesota border. Illinois lawmakers are considering tax breaks, and a plant there would be built in the east central part of the state.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) — A Sioux City woman is accused of ripping and burning fake money during a police chase that started in South Dakota and ended in Iowa. Authorities say Alison Daugherty was one of three people in a vehicle speeding down Interstate 29 Monday night as passengers threw counterfeit cash out the window. Daugherty and Shaun Wakefield, of Sioux City, face forgery charges.