Never Abandon the Constitution

“The Constitution is the guide which I never will abandon.” – George Washington, 1795   On Tuesday, September 17, 2019, the nation remembers the events that took place in the summer of 1787. September 17th is Constitution Day and Americans will have an opportunity whether in school, institutions of higher education, or other events to remember what President Herbert Hoover […]

Iowa Budget Transparency

FY 1999 to FY 2018 The amount of money collected from Iowans for the General Fund has increased from $4.4 billion to $7.38 billion in 20 years. During the last legislative session, the legislature began the process of lowering Iowa’s high tax rates, but we will still need further rate reduction. Lowering tax rates and unshackling Iowa’s economy from excessive […]

Iowa, Tear Down These Barriers

Protecting the safety and health of citizens is a legitimate function of government. Occupational licensing is not necessarily the only way to do that, and a balance must be struck between regulation and liberty.   Iowa’s policymakers and business leaders agree: The state’s economy needs more skilled workers. One area of regulatory reform state leaders should look at to address […]

Where’s Everyone Going?

In just one year, over 9,000 Iowans moved to Florida, Texas, and South Dakota ­– all states that do not have an income tax.   Since 1980, the nation’s population has grown by more than 40 percent, and Iowa’s population has only grown 7 percent. Tax rates have a direct impact on the population. States with lower tax rates have […]

There’s Red Tape In My Hair

Barbers and hairstylists in Iowa must cut through massive amounts of red tape before they can cut hair.   Red tape, in the form of excessive regulations, makes it harder for Iowa to attract new residents and create new opportunities for current workers. Sadly, these burdensome regulations are not only cost-prohibitive for many, but they also shut the door on improving […]