Greene County first Home Base Iowa community
DES MOINES – Gov. Terry E. Branstad, joined by Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, on Monday signed the Home Base Iowa Act into law at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge in Johnston. In addition, Branstad signed Senate File 2352 providing an additional homestead credit for disabled veterans.
“Our bipartisan Home Base Iowa plan will work to match veterans with high-paying careers in Iowa,” said Branstad. “These men and women have fought for our country, and acquired unique skillsets and training in the military. Now, with the Home Base Iowa plan signed into law, Iowa stands ready to welcome them to our communities and match them with the quality jobs across the state.”
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In March, while in Jefferson to celebrate Jefferson and Greene County as Iowa’s first Home Base Iowa community, Gov Branstad joked with his longtime friend Jim Andrew about needing to lose 8 pounds before Memorial Day if he wanted to wear his military uniform. Apparently, the governor was successful in his weight loss efforts.
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The Home Base Iowa Act is one part of the overall Home Base Iowa initiative, a first-of-its-kind program developed to honor our country’s veterans by recruiting them, and active duty service members, for private-sector job opportunities in Iowa. Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey’s CEO Bob Myers, both veterans, serve as the co-chairs of the initiative.
“As Governor Branstad and I travel across Iowa, we talk with Iowa businesses that are in need of qualified workers, “Reynolds said. “Our veterans possess the skills necessary to fill integral roles in important industries and we look forward to when they call Iowa home.”
The Home Base Iowa Act does the following:
- Fully exempts military pensions from state income tax, putting Iowa on more equal footing with states such as Florida and Texas, and our Midwestern neighbors such as Illinois, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. In addition, the billfully exempts military survivor benefits from state income tax.
- Iowa’s licensing boards will adopt rules allowing credit for military training and experience in the licensing process.
- Allows private-sector companies to follow the public sector’s lead by allowing a preference in hiring and promoting veterans.
- Eliminates the special plate issuance fees charged for plates associated with military service.
- Expands eligibility for the Military Homeownership Assistance Program, which provides $5,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance. Additional funding for the program is provided in a separate appropriations bill.
BACKGROUND ON THE HOME BASE IOWA ACT
Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launched the Home Base Iowa initiative in November of 2013 at the Iowa Gold Star Military Museum at Camp Dodge. Branstad and Reynolds named Congressman Leonard Boswell and Casey’s CEO Bob Myers the co-chairs of the initiative.
In January, Gov. Branstad made Home Base Iowa the centerpiece of his legislative plan by stating at his Condition of the State address, “This session, the centerpiece of my agenda is Home Base Iowa. It is a bipartisan jobs plan focusing on recruiting service members to Iowa and matching them with good, high paying careers. […] Our veterans have risked their lives defending our freedom. To show our gratitude, let’s make Iowa the leader in respect, support and opportunity for veterans.”
In January, the Iowa Business Council announced a goal of hiring 2,500 veterans. In March, Greene County became the first “Home Base Iowa Community.” To date, there have been over 50 Home Base Iowa Businesses statewide, with more to come.
In addition to the Home Base Iowa Act (Senate File 303), Branstad also signed Senate File 2352.
Senate File 2352 an Act relating to the additional homestead credit for certain disabled veterans and including effective date and applicability provisions.
For more information on Home Base Iowa, please visit www.HomeBaseIowa.org.
