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My government My government My calendar

Legislature Bills Calendar Legislators Committees This session New laws Revenue and spending State budget Tax credits Economic development Federal money Executive orders What bills cost Lobbying Districts & maps

Local Find your county, city or school Property & sales taxes Tax calculator City levy limits Local debt New audits Schools statewide State money to local governments State aid by county Federal money by county How local government works Property tax and local money

Elections Results Your next ballot Sample ballot Turnout Local ballot measures Offices Campaign money Constitutional amendments

Learn Start here Take the tour Speak up Local governments Local money The Legislature Elections Glossary Bill-to-law game Quiz State agencies

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Start here Local governments Property tax & local money The Legislature Bills & amendments On the floor The funnel The budget Elections Money & lobbying Taking part Code & costs Glossary How Iowa Funnel works Bill-to-law game Quiz State agencies

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Ten questions from every Learn chapter. Each answer says why. Your answers stay in your browser.

Mixed Your local governments Property tax and local money The Legislature Bills & amendments On the floor The funnel The budget Elections Money & lobbying Taking part Code & costs

1. Why watch a council’s work session if it doesn’t take comments?From Taking partIt’s the best preview of what’s comingThat’s where the final votes areIt’s closed to the public

Work sessions are open to watch and are the best preview. If something concerns you, email the members before the item reaches a regular meeting.

2. What is a standing appropriation?From The budgetSpending set in the Iowa Code that continues each year without a new budget billMoney for buildingsA one-time grant

Standing appropriations are set in the Code itself. School aid is the largest.

3. Who collects the property tax that pays for your city and school district?From Your local governmentsThe cityThe county treasurerThe state

The county treasurer collects property tax for every government on your bill, then passes each one its share.

4. A council member elected “at large” is chosen by…From Your local governmentsVoters across the whole cityVoters in one wardThe other council members

An at-large member is chosen by the whole city; a ward member only by voters in one part of it.

5. What does a supplemental appropriation do?From The budgetAdds to or changes the budget for the year already under waySets next year’s budgetCuts taxes

Supplemental appropriations change the budget for the fiscal year already under way.

6. How are county supervisors elected?From Your local governmentsIn odd years, with no party on the ballotIn November of even years, on a party ticket, for four-year termsBy the city councils in the county

The Board of Supervisors has three or five members, elected in November of even years for four-year terms, on a party ticket.

7. By when must the Governor send a budget proposal to the Legislature?From The budgetFebruary 1July 1The last day of session

The Governor proposes a budget in the Condition of the State speech and must send it to the Legislature by February 1.

8. When are public hearings on major bills usually held?From Taking partIn the evening at the Capitol, with sign-up in advanceOnly onlineDuring floor debate

Public hearings on major bills are usually in the evening at the Capitol. You sign up in advance to speak for a few minutes.

9. How is Iowa’s Constitution amended?From Bills & amendmentsThe Governor signs a joint resolutionTwo General Assemblies in a row pass it, then voters approve itA two-thirds vote of one Assembly

A joint resolution has to pass two consecutive General Assemblies and then win a statewide vote. The Governor isn’t involved.

10. Who sets contribution limits for candidates for Congress?From Money & lobbyingThe Federal Election CommissionThe Iowa LegislatureThere are none

Candidates for Congress report to the FEC, which sets limits adjusted for inflation each cycle.

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