Iowa Sales Tax Holiday is No Cause for Celebration
A sales tax holiday is a limited time period during which a state frees purchases of specific items from state and local sales tax. At first glance this seems like a good policy from a tax-skeptical, pro-consumer perspective — giving people a break — especially when times are tough, as they are, now, with high inflation. However, sales tax holidays create complexities for tax code compliance, do not promote economic growth or increase consumer purchases, and distract policy makers from truly beneficial sales tax reforms.
Time for Tax Credit Reform
Iowa’s historic tax reforms this year focused on lowering the income tax rates paid by Iowans and the companies that employ them. The next step needs to be changing who is – and is not – paying those taxes. If Governor Kim Reynolds and the legislature want to truly position Iowa for the future, it’s time to take on the state’s addiction to special tax breaks.
Biden vs Reynolds: Contrasting Visions
This year the Republican Party selected Governor Kim Reynolds to deliver the official response to President Joe Biden’s State of the Union Address. Governor Reynolds and President Biden offer two completely different views of both political philosophy and statesmanship. Selecting Governor Reynolds to speak on behalf of the Republican Party was not just a high honor, but it also reflected her leadership as a conservative. This contrasts with President Biden’s progressive philosophy and his embrace of a radical liberal agenda that threatens constitutional government.
ITR Foundation Gets Called Up to the Show
Trump cites the ITR Foundation Poll in his application to federal court for a special master. Another ITR Live episode with real breaking news: The ITR Foundation Poll is cited in former President Trump’s application to federal court for a special master. John tells us about the Durham Bulls’ Ripken the Dog, who fetches bats for the players. Chris Ingstad […]
Did You Get Your Property Tax Savings?
The topic of discussion is a recent ITR Foundation report revealing that 48 of the 99 Iowa counties did not pass along the full mental health property tax savings. What can we learn from this, and how should it inform future property tax reform efforts?
Biden Signs the More Inflation Act
Last week, President Biden just signed what Washington, D.C. liberals have named the Inflation Reduction Act. In reality, it will increase inflation. Chris and John provide rapid response as President Biden signs what Washington DC liberals have named the “Inflation Reduction Act”.
Lessons to Learn
This week on ITR Live, John and Chris cover a lot of ground from aquatic centers, the state fair, the latest CDC Covid-19 guidelines, and another history lesson. Many cities believe the magical solution to local economic development and to improve quality of life is to build aquatic centers and other recreational areas. However, many of these facilities are struggling […]
As the Pandemic Ends, Federal Strings Tangle Medicaid in Iowa
Given the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC’s) recent easing of its COVID-19 guidelines, the national public health emergency appears near its end. The technical end of this emergency declaration will signify that the pandemic is officially over. And while that development will be cause for celebration, it will also trigger a major event for state governments and citizens enrolled in Medicaid.
The Use of ARPA funds in Des Moines and Polk County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to local municipalities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but through hard work and fortitude, governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now […]
The Use of ARPA funds in Muscatine and Muscatine County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to municipalities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but our governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now Iowa’s cities and counties face […]
The Use of ARPA Funds in Sioux City and Woodbury County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to municipalities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but our governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now Iowa’s cities and counties face […]
The Use of ARPA funds in Waterloo, Cedar Falls, and Black Hawk County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to local municipalities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but through hard work and fortitude, governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now […]
The Use of ARPA funds in Mason City and Cerro Gordo County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to local municipalities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but through hard work and fortitude, governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now […]
The Use of ARPA Funds in Davenport, Bettendorf, and Scott County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to municipalities across the country through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but our governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now Iowa’s cities and counties face […]
The Use of ARPA Funds in Council Bluffs and Pottawattamie County
By Sarah Curry, DBA The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to municipalities through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but our governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now Iowa’s cities and counties face the task of […]
The Use of ARPA Funds in Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Linn County
The COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020, yet the federal government took over a year to direct financial relief to municipalities through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The pandemic hit local communities across Iowa hard, but our governments survived the pandemic with little lasting fiscal damage. Now cities and counties face the task of spending ARPA funds while complying […]
Did Your County Pass on Mental Health Savings?
Local governments in Iowa started a new fiscal year on July 1. Those new fiscal years bring new budgets, and many times, new tax rates. What’s unique about this fiscal year (2023), however, is that Iowa counties are no longer tasked with paying the bill for mental health services. One key feature of 2021’s tax relief package was the phase out of the mental health levy from county property taxes, as the responsibility of mental health was shifted from counties to the state.
A History Lesson for Joe Biden
John joins ITR Live this week and draws a historical parallel between our current economic situation to that of 100 years ago and explains how the policies President Warren J. Harding applied during the recession of the 1920s could allow an economic recovery today.
It Was Right to Oppose NATO Expansion
By John Hendrickson In a vote of 95-1, the United States Senate approved the expansion of NATO (North American Treaty Organization) by allowing membership to two new nations Sweden and Finland. The only Senator to vote “no” was Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO). Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) voted “present.” In his floor speech before the vote Sen. Hawley made a powerful […]
Chinese Investment in American Agriculture
By John Hendrickson The growing influence and power of China should be a concern for all policymakers. China is growing more aggressive militarily and they are attempting to control resources across the globe, including the United States. China is also taking advantage of the United States in terms of trade. The United States is running over $350 billion trade deficit […]
Inflation Reduction Act?
Inflation Reduction Act? Not Likely Only in Washington, D.C. could someone refer to a $750 billion bill as “anti-inflationary” with a straight face, but that’s exactly what Congress and President Biden are doing as they celebrate the passage of the so-called Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). CNN has reported that the bill may not live up to its name, and U.S. News and World Report predicts inflation isn’t […]
Trump Raid: Impartial Law or Political Manipulation?
In unprecedented fashion, the FBI raided former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, on behalf of the National Archives. Immediately, social media exploded with people taking a stand on both sides of the issue. On this week’s ITR Live podcast, ITR President Chris Hagenow and ITR Foundation Policy Director John Hendrickson discuss why this is such a startling development. The law should be […]
Remembering David McCullough: America’s Historian
By John Hendrickson This week the nation lost a treasure with the passing of David McCullough. David McCullough was America’s historian and he brought history alive through his many books. McCullough was a gifted storyteller both in his writing and his narration of American Experience documentaries such as Ken Burns, The Civil War. Some of his work included biographies of […]