By: CBS4 News, newsroom@cbs4qc.com
(AP) _ The Iowa Senate has approved a measure that would give a larger income tax break to low-income residents.
Lawmakers passed the measure 35-15 Wednesday. It raises the state credit from 7 to 20 percent of a taxpayer's federal earned income tax credit, so Iowa households that make under $45,000 a year would get about a $250 tax break.
Democrat Sen. Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, the bill sponsor, says it would reduce poverty in Iowa and help 210,000 families.
Republican Sen. Randy Feenstra of Hull says the proposed credit is too high and unrealistic. He proposed an amendment to offer a smaller tax break to more taxpayers, but it failed to garner enough support.
The measure now heads to the House.
