by CBI Lobbyist Jeff Boeyink - Partner, LS2 Group Overview / Major Events The Iowa General Assembly concluded its business on Saturday evening, May 5, with House passage of SF 2417, the final version of tax reform / reduction. House, Senate, and Governor agree on tax reform and reduction Late last week the House, Senate, and Governor reached final agreement on the details of their tax reform and reduction effort. That agreement became SF 2417 and it was the last bill to clear the Legislature before they headed home to face the voters. Here are the highlights of SF 2417:
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March Survey Results at a Glance:
OMAHA, Neb. (March 15, 2018) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index slipped in March, but remained above growth neutral for a second straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. This is the first time since the middle of 2015 that we have recorded two straight months of overall indices above growth neutral.
Overall: The overall index dipped slightly to a solid 54.7 from 54.8 in February. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral. “Surveys over the past several months indicate that the Rural Mainstreet economy is trending upward with improving, but slow economic growth. However, weak agriculture commodity prices continue to weigh on the rural economy,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. Jim Eckert, president of Anchor State Bank in Anchor, Illinois, reported, “Recent commodity price increases have helped the mood of our farmers. Our area is somewhat dry and good spring rains will be essential for a good 2018 crop.” Farming and Ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for March dropped to 42.7 from February’s 46.3. This is the 52nd straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. February Survey Results at a Glance:
OMAHA, Neb. (Feb. 15, 2018) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index sprang higher in February from January’s below growth neutral reading. This is the first time since July 2015 the overall index has advanced above growth neutral, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.
Overall: The overall index soared to 54.8 from 46.8 in January, the highest reading for the overall index since May 2014. The index ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral. “Given that fewer than one in four, or 23.9 percent, of bankers reported economic growth in their area, the solid February reading surprised me. However, weak agriculture commodity prices continue to weigh on the rural economy,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. Jim Eckert, president of Anchor State Bank in Anchor, Illinois, reported, “We are seeing farmers with somewhat reduced income and moderate operating loan carryovers. However, without rain prior to planting, 2018 could be a bad year.” Farming and Ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for February rose to 46.3 from 42.2 for January. This is the highest reading since July 2014, but it is the 51st straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0.
January Survey Results at a Glance:
OMAHA, Neb. (Jan. 18, 2018) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index declined slightly in January from December’s weak reading, remaining below growth neutral, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The index, like all indices in the survey, ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, fell to 46.8 from 47.8 in December. Though the overall index remained below growth neutral, it is significantly higher than the reading for January 2017. “While the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for January declined and remained below growth neutral, year-over-year indices are trending higher. Clearly, based on our recent surveys, the negatives are getting less negative,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. When asked to name the greatest 2018 economic challenge for their banks, four in 10 bankers reported that loan defaults represented the biggest challenges for the year ahead. This is well ahead of the second ranked challenge of competition from Farm Credit coming in at 15.6 percent. Farming and Ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for January rose to 42.2 from 39.8 in December. This is the 50th straight month the index has fallen below growth neutral 50.0. December Survey Results at a Glance:
OMAHA, Neb. (Dec. 21, 2017) – The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index improved from November’s weak reading but remained below growth neutral, according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy. Overall: The index, like all indices in the survey, ranges between 0 and 100 with 50.0 representing growth neutral, expanded to 47.8 from 44.7 in November. While the overall index remained below growth neutral, it is up approximately 11.4 percent from December, 2016. “While the overall Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) for December remained below growth neutral, this is the highest December reading that we have recorded since 2014. Clearly, based on our recent surveys, the negatives are getting less negative,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University’s Heider College of Business. Only one-fifth, or 20.4 percent, of bank CEOs reported that their local economy was expanding. While this indicator remains bearish, it is well up from the 8.7 percent reporting an expanding local economy in February 2016. by Dave Caris, CEO - Community Bankers of Iowa Tax reform legislation has not yet been introduced in the Iowa Legislature, but the Governor, the House and the Senate are all expected to release their versions of tax reform legislation in the next several weeks. Tax or Ways and Means Committee bills are not subject to the funnel deadlines of the Legislature, so comprehensive tax reform, including the issue of credit union taxation, will be a live issue until the end of the Legislative Session in April. Prior to the introduction of legislation and the resulting debate, the Credit unions have launched a massive media and grassroots campaign in an effort to maintain their "FREE RIDE."
It's important that bankers speak out to policy makers on this critical issue to counter the onslaught of contacts from credit unions. The Iowa Bankers Association has developed an excellent and quick method of finding and emailing your State Legislator to speak out on this issue. Just click here. The IBA and CBI are united on this major issue. We urge you to email your State Senator and Representative and, in your own words, tell them it's time to end the free ride. The following are a few key points you may want to consider: by Dave Caris, CEO - Community Bankers of Iowa Iowa's credit unions have launched a massive media and grassroots campaign before even seeing legislation to finally require them to pay their fair share of taxes. When you are talking to your employees, friends, neighbors and policy makers about this issue, keep the following key points in mind:
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