Iowa state lawmakers are attempting to come up with tax reform and pass a budget prior to adjourning. Their per diem day is April 17, the last day they get paid for being in session although they could meet longer than that if they choose. Iowa Soybean Association Policy Director Carol Balvanz says they’re closely monitoring the budget discussions and hoping their environmental program gets funded.

She says their members are hopeful legislators work out the tax conformity on Section 179 expensing so farmers get the tax break at both the federal and state levels.

Balvanz says they’d like to see legislators pass a tax measure that is stable in nature and gives farmers some type of relief.

She says lawmakers have tough decisions to make in order to fund needed programs like infrastructure upkeep and still be able to provide tax relief.