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CULVER NIXES RAINFOREST BREAK; CONSERVATION DONATION CREDIT BILL ADVANCES

April 24, 2007

Governer Culver has snuffed the attempt to pass an end-of-session tax break for EarthPork, the indoor rainforest proposed for Des Moines Coralville Dubuque Grinnell Riverside Pella. From today's Des Moines Register:

Proposals to give millions of dollars in government assistance to a rain forest complex near Pella and an adjacent water park, marina and condominium project are unlikely to be approved by the Legislature, a key lawmaker said Monday.

"I don't think it's a good use of legislative time to push something that doesn't appear to have a lot of momentum at this stage," said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Democrat from Des Moines.

Earlier in the day, McCarthy said the incentive package was likely to be debated. His revised assessment came after he talked with aides to Gov. Chet Culver, Senate leaders and other House members.

Given the Governor's opposition to the plan in his election campaign, recounted here, it is almost surprising that anybody even tried to move aid for EarthPork. Still, considering some of the other silly things that have gone right through this session, you can't blame the rainforest people for thinking they might have a shot.

The Senate did pass the poorly-thought-out but lucrative land conservation donation credit, SF 587. The House now has to take it up, but it doesn't look like any opposition has formed.

Track the end-of-session tax legislation at our 2007 Iowa Tax Legislation page.

 • Eye on the Legislature: 2007       Bookmark: del.icio.us • Digg • reddit