Tax relief is on the way to Iowa businesses and residents. That’s after lawmakers came up with a deal on Thursday in Des Moines.

Iowa’s plan will reach out to Le Claire businesses. That’s where shoppers are out on Friday for French Market Days.

“Part of the reason why Le Claire has been so popular lately is because of the small businesses,” said shopper Stacy Clark. “If we can get more of them, keep them going, I think that’s good.”

Property tax rates climbed here in recent years. Aunt Hattie’s Fanciful Emporium is one business that could benefit.

“It’s good to see the little guy get something once in a while,” said owner Donna Walley. “I’m thrilled about it.”

Walley opened the store four years ago in Le Claire and recently expanded. She’s ready to use tax credits and assessment changes to grow her business.

The Iowa state legislature passed a bill Thursday night to spend nearly $900 million on higher education next year.

Local Iowa school districts were hoping the state would pass the K-12 education reform bill onto the Governor instead. The reform bill would allow school districts to receive an allowable growth amount.

Allowable growth gives local school districts more money, so they can deal with rising costs of supplies and salaries. Iowa Governor Terry Branstad has pushed for education reform since the beginning of the session.

Davenport Community Schools have not seen that reform though, and because of that, they had to base their 2013-2014 budget on zero percent allowable growth. They had to cut $100,000 from their North and Central High School bus budget for next year.

As congressional lawmakers prepare to delve into the IRS controversy, nobody knows where it will lead.

Scott County Republicans Vice Chairman John Ortega doesn’t mince words.

“President Obama calls it a political circus, and he’s the top clown in the organization,” he said.

Lawmakers promise to dig deeply and get to the bottom of it. It’s a scandal that could reach from the IRS to the federal government.

“I’ve got no patience with it,” President Obama said recently. “I will not tolerate it. We’ll make sure we find out exactly what happened.”

For local Republicans, it’s a stinging blow that represents politics at its worst.

“I don’t care what party you’re from,” Ortega continued. “It’s wrong to be doing what they’re doing.”