Iowa CUs Focus Where The Tax FightIs

DES MOINES, Iowa - (10/29/04) -- With little action in congressionalraces, Iowa credit unions are concentrating their campaign effortson the state legislature, where they successfully fought off a taxbill last year. Credit unions hope to help elect Democrat BobKressig, chairman of the board of John Deere Community CU, to thestate legislature. Credit union volunteers are raising money andwalking the precincts on behalf of Kressig, according to JustinHupfer, lobbyist for the Iowa CU League. The league has contributed$14,000 to Kressig's campaign. If elected, Kressig would be theonly credit union volunteer or executive in the legislature; incontrast to the four bankers in either the House or Senate. "Therealization really came up front after the battle we had with thebanks in 2003 that we really need some credit unions officials inthe legislature," Hupfer told The Credit Union Journal, ofexpectations the tax bill will return. The heated 2003 tax battlehas left its mark in other ways; credit unions are working todefeat State Reps. Brian Quirk co-sponsor of the credit union taxbill; and Gene Manternach, a major supporter of thebill.