The views expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Tax Education Foundation. They are brought to you in the interest of a better-informed citizenry. Education Savings Accounts in the Hawkeye State: Potential Fiscal Effects on State and Local Taxpayers By Martin Lueken, Ph.D., EdChoice Download PDF
The views expressed in these publications are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of Tax Education Foundation. They are brought to you in the interest of a better-informed citizenry. Iowa Needs Dental Therapists By Dr. Donald P. Racheter and Jennifer Minjarez Download PDF
Iowa and all of the other states in our union are competing for economic growth. It is economic growth that creates jobs and opportunities and attracts new people to a state. And economic freedom-limited government, low tax rates, and low levels of regulation- is essential to fostering economic growth. So how does Iowa measure up in their pursuit of economic […]
The government, even with the best intentions, cannot solve every problem. “What is conservatism? Is it not preference for the old and tried, over the new and untried?” stated Abraham Lincoln in defining conservatism. The conservative view of public policy has always been to examine issues and policies based on prudence and with respect for both the United States […]
States that have lower tax rates and keep lower spending levels often see greater economic growth and more stable revenues. Government spending is a concern to many Iowans. Individuals, families, and businesses across Iowa all follow a budget that is not guaranteed to increase every year, yet Iowa’s budget continues to grow. Iowa’s state budget is $7.3 billion and even […]
How can Iowa make sure its recent tax reform is fully implemented, including the adoption of fewer and lower tax rates in 2023? The only proven way to lower tax rates is with spending restraint. Some of us in our personal lives have learned Dave Ramsey’s lesson that you cannot out-earn your own stupidity. No state can out-tax bad budgets. […]
The Iowa legislature is already making progress in creating a more friendly economic environment for job creators by passing needed tax reform legislation. The tax reform bill signed into law by Governor Kim Reynolds begins the process of reducing Iowa’s high individual and corporate tax rates. In addition, this legislation also calls for a strenuous review of Iowa’s many business […]
Gov. Kim Reynolds and Republicans in the Iowa House and Senate identified tax reform as a priority before the start of the 2018 session. With expectations high for the first significant income tax reform in 20 years, the discussion on tax policy dominated the session. The Governor and lawmakers agreed to a bill on the session’s final day and the […]
The simple argument for keeping the Electoral College is the fact that it works. More importantly we are a nation of “United States.” President Donald Trump recently stated that he would like to see the Electoral College replaced with a direct election of the president by a popular vote. The Electoral College is one of the most misunderstood elements of our constitutional […]
The passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which is the most significant tax reform to occur in decades, is creating economic growth and opportunities for Americans. The tax cuts, along with President Donald Trump’s unshackling the economy from excessive regulations, is the cause of this economic renewal. The “new normal” economy of slow economic growth and high unemployment […]
Progressives in Iowa are arguing that both Governor Kim Reynolds and the Senate Republican tax reform proposals would lead Iowa into a fiscal “train wreck.” Iowa Democrats have said if Republicans in the legislature lower tax rates the result will be a budget disaster similar to what occurred in Kansas. Iowa’s progressives are following a policy program known as the […]
Opponents of tax reduction balk at North Carolina’s historic tax reform as an example that pro-growth tax policies only lead to the bleeding of essential state services. They are wrong. Since 2013, an economic policy agenda reducing tax rates, regulations, and controlling the growth of spending has been advanced in North Carolina. In the process, North Carolina “began changing the […]
“Blessed are the young, for they shall inherit the national debt,” stated President Herbert Hoover. Once again, the nation hit a record as our national debt has risen to $21 trillion. This does not include the trillions in unfunded liabilities from entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. This month also marked another unfortunate event when the federal […]
U.S. News & World Report recently ranked Iowa “best state in the nation when it comes to infrastructure, healthcare, opportunity, and education.” Although this ranking is something Iowa can be proud of it does not mean that improvements cannot be made, especially regarding our state’s high and complex tax code. Iowa has some of the highest individual and corporate income […]
As Iowa’s tight budget situation lingers, the call for additional revenue sources continues to grow. The Des Moines Register recently published an editorial advocating a tax increase on beer to fund various programs and law enforcement efforts to deal with alcohol-related issues. The editorial board argued that a higher beer tax would discourage drinking and reduce the harmful effects of alcohol abuse. Iowa currently […]
The state of Iowa is facing a tight budget. Although revenues at this time are not declining, Iowa’s revenues continue to be lower than projected. Some of the factors contributing to this include a decline in Iowa’s agricultural economy and the increasing consumer behavior of online purchases where sales taxes are not paid. Iowa is also in need of serious […]