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Watch: Gov. Kim Reynolds discuses task force for Iowa 'DOGE'Hear from Gov. Kim Reynolds as she talks about Iowa's 'DOGE' on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, at the Iowa State Capitol.Iowa's DOGE task force is considering issuing a recommendation to consolidate the state's 99 counties to improve government efficiency and enable property tax cuts.The task force argues that the current county structure is outdated and wastes resources, citing Iowa's low population density.The task force is focusing on streamlining services and regionalization rather than directly addressing property tax reform.Iowa's government efficiency task...

Habitat for Humanity of Collier County progresses on new Naples communityScenes from Habitat for Humanity of Collier County's Majestic Place community. When construction is complete, it will have 109 single-family homes.Collier County's preliminary property values increased by roughly 3% to $229.3 billion in 2025.Taxable property values saw a larger increase of 8.2%, reaching $164.5 billion, largely due to new construction.While market value growth slowed, new construction added $4.18 billion to the tax rolls.The final tax roll will be submitted to the state on July 1st, with TRIM notices sent to...

4-minute readAndrew P. Napolitano  |  Special to the USA TODAY NetworkCan FBI be sued if agents raid wrong house? Supreme Court to weigh in.Trina Martin, son Gabe Watson and partner Toi Cliatt seek compensation after their house was mistakenly raided by the FBI.The British government's use of general warrants, allowing searches of colonists' homes without specific cause, contributed to the American Revolution.The Fourth Amendment, designed to protect the right to privacy and property, requires probable cause for government searches.The author argues that the probable cause standard is insufficient, as natural...

No state has yet eliminated property taxes and in Florida they are the biggest source of dollars for 51 of 67 counties and almost half of the state’s 411 cities.With Florida lawmakers now in overtime trying to settle a state budget, the prime source of financing for many cities and counties could soon be headed for the chopping block.In whatever budget deal is decided by the Legislature, Gov. Ron DeSantis wants included some kind of commitment to rolling back property taxes – now or through a ballot question put before...

Dave Williams  |  Capitol Beat News ServiceReal estate investor headed to prison in Atlanta fraud schemeBy Dave WilliamsBureau ChiefCapitol Beat News ServiceATLANTA - The head of a commercial real estate investment firm has been sentenced to 87 months in prison and ordered to pay $45 million in restitution in a fraud scheme involving the Atlanta Financial Center in Buckhead.Elchonon (Elie) Schwartz, 46, of New York City pleaded guilty in February to one count of wire fraud. Schwartz convinced more than 800 investors to send him $62.8 million, including $54 million...

Watch: Iowa homeowners talk property taxes with Des Moines RegisterHomeowners discuss Iowa's property taxes as Iowa legislative leaders make property tax reform their No. 1 goal this legislative session.Iowa Senate Republicans are proposing a 25% discount on home values up to $125,000 for property tax relief, changing a proposed $50,000 homestead exemption to address smaller communities' concerns.The bill also phases in the elimination of the state's rollback rate over 10 years and maintains a 2% cap on property tax growth with exceptions.The fate of property tax legislation is unclear as...

'This is a total dog and pony show. This is not anything that’s credible,' DeSantis said.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the House's late-session push for property tax cuts as ineffective.House Speaker Daniel Perez prefers sales tax cuts and formed a 37-member committee to explore property tax cut options, a move DeSantis called a "dog and pony show."The House’s push for property tax cuts will be ineffective,...

'The governor has not yet come forward with any specific answers,' House Speaker Perez said. 'If the House wanted to get this done, they would have,' a DeSantis spokesman shot back.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced a select committee to review property tax cut proposals.The move follows disagreements with Governor DeSantis on property tax cuts and other issues.The committee will consider various options, including raising homestead...