Iowa's higher Interstate speed limit kicks in Friday
DES MOINES (AP) - Iowans' need for speed will be met Friday, when the speed limit on some Iowa highways rises to 70 mph and a tax incentive for a new NASCAR-style racetrack in Newton goes into effect.
"The big thing people will notice is the speed limit," said Senate Republican President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny.
On issues ranging from economic development to reducing the state's deer population, the Legislature approved a hefty batch of bills during its 131-day session, the longest in 25 years.
Most of the measures take effect when the state opens its new fiscal year Friday. Some, like the higher speed limit, will be noticed right away, while other changes will be more subtle.
"Much of it you won't see right away," said Senate Democratic Floor Leader Michael Gronstal of Council Bluffs.
The Legislature approved a speed increase on rural Interstate highways to 70 mph, but fines will double and Gov. Tom Vilsack has promised that enforcement will be tough.
Dena Gray-Fisher, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said almost all the new speed limits signs that will be needed are done and should be installed by the end of Friday.
"We're going to be ready by July 1," Gray-Fisher said. "We'll start at 9 a.m., and we'll be done that day."
In Newton, construction already has begun on the new racetrack, and many think it will turn into a big draw, Lamberti said.
"If you drive by Newton on the Interstate, you're going to see that," he said.
As an incentive to build the track, lawmakers agreed to let the operators keep the first $12 million they collect in sales taxes.
Perhaps the priciest measure to take effect with the new fiscal year is a $700 million, 10-year economic development plan. Starting Friday, it will provide incentives to lure high-tech businesses to the state and tax credits to reward companies creating jobs in the state.
Other laws that take effect Friday:
• Tougher penalties for sex abuse. Prison terms for conviction of lascivious acts with a child have been lengthened and supervision tightened on inmates after release.
• A new tax credit for small producers of electricity using renewable energy sources.
• Companies that offer health insurance policies must include limited coverage for mental health treatment.
• Registration fees for boats go up, depending on the size of the boat, from $3 to $36 a year. Revenue from the higher fees, estimated at $962,000 a year, will be used for boater education and programs to clean lakes.
• Higher hunting quotas will be allowed in some areas to help trim the state's deer population.
• Public officials who knowingly violate the state's open meetings law twice or more can be removed from office.
"The big thing people will notice is the speed limit," said Senate Republican President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny.
On issues ranging from economic development to reducing the state's deer population, the Legislature approved a hefty batch of bills during its 131-day session, the longest in 25 years.
Most of the measures take effect when the state opens its new fiscal year Friday. Some, like the higher speed limit, will be noticed right away, while other changes will be more subtle.
"Much of it you won't see right away," said Senate Democratic Floor Leader Michael Gronstal of Council Bluffs.
The Legislature approved a speed increase on rural Interstate highways to 70 mph, but fines will double and Gov. Tom Vilsack has promised that enforcement will be tough.
Dena Gray-Fisher, spokeswoman for the Iowa Department of Transportation, said almost all the new speed limits signs that will be needed are done and should be installed by the end of Friday.
"We're going to be ready by July 1," Gray-Fisher said. "We'll start at 9 a.m., and we'll be done that day."
In Newton, construction already has begun on the new racetrack, and many think it will turn into a big draw, Lamberti said.
"If you drive by Newton on the Interstate, you're going to see that," he said.
As an incentive to build the track, lawmakers agreed to let the operators keep the first $12 million they collect in sales taxes.
Perhaps the priciest measure to take effect with the new fiscal year is a $700 million, 10-year economic development plan. Starting Friday, it will provide incentives to lure high-tech businesses to the state and tax credits to reward companies creating jobs in the state.
Other laws that take effect Friday:
• Tougher penalties for sex abuse. Prison terms for conviction of lascivious acts with a child have been lengthened and supervision tightened on inmates after release.
• A new tax credit for small producers of electricity using renewable energy sources.
• Companies that offer health insurance policies must include limited coverage for mental health treatment.
• Registration fees for boats go up, depending on the size of the boat, from $3 to $36 a year. Revenue from the higher fees, estimated at $962,000 a year, will be used for boater education and programs to clean lakes.
• Higher hunting quotas will be allowed in some areas to help trim the state's deer population.
• Public officials who knowingly violate the state's open meetings law twice or more can be removed from office.
posted by Susan VanSlyke at 4:59 PM
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