Washington, D.C. sets up a game of chicken between Iowa taxpayers and the sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA) delivered significant tax relief to Iowans, from individuals to small business owners. However, key provisions of the TCJA are set to expire in 2025, leading to tax increases across Iowa, […]
It is imperative that civic education be strengthened and restored back to the curriculum. A new academic year is approaching and across the nation our education system at all levels is plagued by a crisis in civic education. Students, whether K-12 or higher education, are increasingly ignorant when it comes to even the basic knowledge of American History, Government, and […]
The most recent Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation Poll, conducted by Cygnal, shows a majority of Iowans want protections from property taxes and income taxes, while also demonstrating that Donald Trump has widened his lead over Joe Biden as November’s election nears. Almost 70 percent (69.6%) of those surveyed want the State Legislature to limit the growth of property taxes […]
A strong, 2 percent cap on the growth of a local government’s property tax collections from year to year should be instituted by the state legislature. Gas is expensive, the cost of groceries continues to rise, and insurance companies say they need to charge more because of the weather. Plus, because we live in Iowa, there’s another big-ticket item we […]
The Iowa Legislature could reinforce the integrity of our legal system and uphold the tradition of impartial decision-making, essential for maintaining public trust. Iowa lawmakers are considering ways to reduce agency deference as this year’s legislative session gets closer to the finish line. That’s why we were excited to read about our Midwestern neighbors in Indiana making progress to ensure […]
The outcomes at both the federal and state levels could help reset the balance of power between the government and the governed. For those who follow the United States Supreme Court, the Chevron doctrine is a prime focus in the news. This issue is before the Court right now and will presumably get a ruling very soon. In a similar […]
The most recent Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation Poll, conducted by Cygnal, shows a majority of Iowans believe our country is headed in the wrong direction. More than two-thirds (68.2%) of those surveyed believe the United States is off on the wrong track, including an overwhelming majority of Republicans (92%) and Independents (72%). President Joe Biden was similarly unpopular, with […]
We should not be abandoning a straight-forward system that everyone understands in exchange for a new, convoluted one filled with complications. The adoption of Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) in various jurisdictions across the country has been touted as an improvement to the traditional voting system. Some RCV supporters even believe it will protect the United States from the demise of […]
It’s the dollars those governments are pulling from you each year that matter. When it comes to property taxes, don’t get fooled by smoke and mirrors. A citizen should focus on how many dollars local governments are taking from them. That’s it. Don’t take the bait that some officials will dangle in front of you in the form of property […]
By offering businesses the freedom to explore and expand their innovative ideas in a relatively unrestricted environment, Iowa is setting the stage for becoming a beacon for start-up firms and a hub for economic progress. Iowa lawmakers are now considering a fresh approach to bolster entrepreneurship and innovation through the concept of a regulatory sandbox. This initiative is designed to […]
Iowa still ranks in the “Bottom 10” nationally when comparing property taxes. The Tax Foundation recently released its annual 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index, which measures the tax competitiveness across the country. Iowa’s standing on the index has been improving every year, and thanks to continuing tax reforms, the 2024 results continued the trend. Last year, Iowa ranked 38th […]
While some regulation is necessary, too much stifles economic growth. The elimination of “red tape” barriers will add to and amplify the multiple pro-growth and free-market reforms Iowa has passed in recent years. Cutting back unnecessary regulation will continue to move Iowa toward a better economic climate.
Diverting Taxpayer Relief Fund dollars to property tax relief would simply be another instance of the state subsidizing local government spending growth. During the 2023 legislative session, the Iowa Legislature began to consider two important constitutional amendments that would provide protection for Iowa taxpayers. If lawmakers are interested in continuing to stand up for the taxpayer, they should again contemplate […]
Total net receipts YTD are 0.7% less than last year, with a reduction in personal income tax and growth in sales/use tax and corporate income tax. Iowa’s revenue report for December has been released and the data revealed net General Fund revenue for the month was $11.1 million (-1.3%) below the December 2022 net revenue level. When broken down by the […]
Iowa’s status as a national leader on tax policy would not be possible but for the less-heralded fact that Iowa is a national leader when it comes to conservative budgeting, as well. Sound budgeting is at the heart of all good public policy. Pro-growth tax reform cannot occur without prudent budgeting and spending restraint. Thanks to the wise priorities of both Governor Reynolds and the legislature, Iowa’s fiscal foundation is strong.
Policymakers could seize the opportunity to place Iowa’s income tax on a path toward elimination. Iowa is in a strong position to enact even further income tax reforms in 2024, and it must. As more states cut income tax rates, Iowa cannot become complacent. The competition among the states for businesses, jobs, and people is fierce. This is especially true […]
Personal income taxes will not be the only focus in the upcoming legislative session. Iowa’s fiscal conservatism will also touch on corporate taxes and property taxes. Iowa is currently in a robust financial position, a testament to a series of strategic policies and legislative changes that have shaped its economic landscape. As the 2024 legislative session approaches, the state’s financial […]
Iowa is fortunate to have so many legislators in office who understand that cutting tax rates has a major impact. We hit the road again today for another legislative roundtable and our team was incredibly excited to visit Van Meter, the hometown of baseball Hall of Famer Bob Feller. Iowans for Tax Relief members joined NFIB members in a discussion […]
When it comes to property taxes, silence only encourages local governments to keep growing their spending. When traveling around Iowa, our team visits individuals and business owners in their local communities. The major concern that we hear over and over is the weight of the property tax burden. Iowans, whether in the Des Moines Metro or in rural Henry County, […]
A streamlined path to market leads to greater innovation, more economic growth, and lower prices for consumers. The concept of a regulatory sandbox has emerged as a popular way to promote innovation and experimentation while still operating within the confines of government oversight. A regulatory sandbox is essentially a controlled environment where businesses can test ideas, products, and services without […]
In 2022, Iowa led what has been called a state-level “flat-tax revolution.” The last few years have been historic for state-based tax reform, with the Tax Foundation reporting that 43 states passed some form of tax reform in 2021 or 2022 and in 2023 nearly a dozen states continued the trend. Now, Iowa has the opportunity to build on its previous good work in this area by being the first state in the nation to eliminate its income tax.
With the fiscal year now over, the state will continue its accounting of 2023. In state government finance, July 1 marks the start of a new fiscal year- Happy 2024, everyone! The start of a new year means we can now begin to look back at the full year of 2023 activity. And while Iowa’s books are technically closed on 2023, […]
Removing Certificate of Need requirements would put more services within reach of Iowans and help slow down the rising costs of health care in our state. Earlier this spring, we told you how West Virginia passed legislation repealing several provisions of its Certificate of Need (CON) Laws. As we wrote then, “the purpose of a CON law is to regulate […]
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