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Vol No. 5 Issue 7

Friends of Iowa Civil Rights, Inc. Announces Statewide Diversity Conference August 29, 2003

On Monday, September 29, 2003, Friends of Iowa Civil Rights, Inc., will present a full-day diversity conference, Iowa’s Mosaic. The conference, held at the Scheman Center on the Iowa State University Campus in Ames, promises to offer unique opportunities to not only learn more about the wealth of diversity that exists in Iowa, but also to learn how to benefit through diversity in your personal life, work and community.

Governor Vilsack Unveils Iowa Quarter Design

July 24, 2003

Governor Tom Vilsack announced today that “Foundation in Education,” based on a painting by world-renowned Iowa artist Grant Wood, will be the design for Iowa’s state quarter. The image on the quarter is based on the painting “Arbor Day,” and shows a group of students and a teacher planting a tree outside a one-room schoolhouse. The Iowa quarter will go into circulation in August 2004.

Fourth Annual Sales Tax Holiday to be Held

July 24, 2003

Iowa’s fourth annual Sales Tax Holiday on qualifying footwear and clothing will be held Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2. No sales tax, including school and “regular” local option sales taxes, will be collected on everyday wearing apparel and typical footwear with a selling price of less than $100 each. Special clothing or footwear designed primarily for athletic activity or protective use and not usually considered appropriate for everyday wear will remain taxable. These requirements and limitations have not changed from last year.

FY 2004 Budget Information

View the Governor’s FY 2004 Program, Highlights, and Budget Summary which highlights five key areas: Transforming Iowa’s Economy, Making Continuous Improvement of Education, Expanding Access to Quality Health Care for all Iowans, Maintaining a Fiscally Sound State Budget and Making a Renewed Commitment to the Environment.

I-235 Reconstruction

Tom Shepherd

Over the next five years, the entire I-235 corridor will be reconstructed, which will result in the replacement of all 70 bridges and a significant portion of the roadway surface. The DOT will provide periodic updates of significant area road/bridge closings that may impact you. The DOT has also established a project office at 615 E. 14th Street (a few blocks from the state complex). Employees are welcome to visit the office, the project’s Web site, or call 515-237-3300 for more information. Those who sign-up on the Web site can receive instant e-mail messages of project changes.

The DOT recently published the “2002 I-235 Travel Planner,” which was distributed in the Des Moines Register. Additional copies of the guide, including maps and detour information, are available by calling 515-237-3300.

IDED Calendar of Events

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