You are important to us! We want to keep you up to date on the impact good and bad policy has on the state’s future. So, for the last couple our weeks, our pens have been working feverishly on articles from tax policy, healthcare, education, among others. Here is a list of our most recent articles.
By John Hendrickson, Policy Director for ITR Foundation, and
Pete Sepp, President of the National Taxpayers Union
Numerous state legislatures across the nation will be considering tax rate reductions. Many are running large budgetary surpluses, which represent an opportunity to return the money back to taxpayers. So, what are some of the best methods of delivering tax relief while providing for the priorities of local government? Our friend, Pete Sepp of the National Taxpayers Union, joined us to discuss taxpayer protections.
By Alan Ostergren, Contributing Scholar
These days, it seems the last place where the free exchange of ideas is tolerated is a college campus. Rather than promoting an environment where students and faculty exchange viewpoints and learn to live in a world where not everyone thinks alike, the trend is to treat certain views as out of bounds and subject to discipline. Fortunately, there was a victory for free speech in Iowa recently.
By Dr. Christopher Peters, Contributing Scholar
“It is impossible for me to imagine that we will see any meaningful healthcare reform soon. Nothing substantive has been offered by President Joe Biden’s administration, despite earlier declarations that Obamacare would be expanded as Bidencare.” Click here to read more.
By John Hendrickson, Policy Director for ITR Foundation
The roadmap to tax reform begins with a prudent budget and that’s precisely what Governor Kim Reynolds is planning for Iowa. ITR Foundation offers a peek at what’s inside the governor’s budget.
By John Hendrickson, Policy Director for ITR Foundation
Government spending is at the heart of sound public policy. But out-of-control spending for decades has created substantial economic destruction and ongoing threats that must be remedied before things get worse. Fortunately, we have examples of how to solve this problem.
Nothing in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) prevents local governments from using the funds to provide property tax relief. Iowa cities, counties, and school districts are all beneficiaries of federal dollars from ARPA. With the influx of those funds, local governments will be confronted with countless ideas from various interests on how to spend the money, but the priority should be property taxpayers. Local governments should spend ARPA funds in a way that prioritizes the taxpayer. There are also ideas that should be avoided at all costs.
By John Hendrickson, Policy Director for ITR Foundation, and
Heather Curry, Director of Strategic Engagement at the Goldwater Institute
Parents across Iowa are demanding greater accountability from public schools and Governor Kim Reynolds agrees. In her Condition of the State address, Governor Reynolds proposed reforms that would make transparency and accountability a priority.
By Kyle Wingfield, Guest Columnist
The splintering of our culture — in art, religion, entertainment, and so many other ways — demands a pluralism that allows various factions to co-exist. With the culture wars very much active in education, we shouldn’t expect it to work out any other way. An approach that allows families to choose the best option for them is our best bet. Click here to see the full article.
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