John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D., Author at ITR Foundation

March 9, 2023

Iowa Is Proof that Fiscal Conservatism Works

By cutting taxes and state spending, Governor Kim Reynolds has put the state on the path to a robust economy.

Iowa’s fiscal foundation remains strong despite national economic uncertainty because of the state’s fiscal conservatism and prudent budgeting.

Governor Kim Reynolds has made Iowa a leader in conservative fiscal policy. This approach has already left more money in taxpayers’ pockets, and set the state on course to implement a low, flat income tax by 2026.

John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Editorial

February 9, 2023

The 2024 Conservative Iowa Budget

Iowa’s taxpayers deserve better constitutional protections against the unquenchable appetite for government spending. Stronger limits can ensure spending remains under control, especially when fiscally conservative policymakers are absent. Introduction Going into the 2023 legislative session, Iowa’s fiscal foundation is strong. The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC), which is a three-person collaboration between the governor’s office and the Legislative Services Agency, is […]

John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Government Spending

August 9, 2022

A History Lesson for President Joe Biden

A nation emerging from a significant pandemic and an economic downturn awaited President Joe Biden in early 2021. President Warren G. Harding inherited a similar situation after winning the 1920 election in a landslide. But Harding overcame it by getting government out of the way. The economy recovered quickly—whereas Biden enacted bad progressive policies that have resulted in a double-dip recession with 40-year high inflation.

John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Economy

April 4, 2022

The Tax Increase Hidden in Plain Sight

Americans have less money than they had last year—though taxes haven’t been raised. So what’s the problem? Inflation, which has increased at a 40-year high annual pace of 7.9%. It acts as a hidden tax because we don’t see it listed on our tax bills, but we sure see less money on our bank accounts.

John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Economy

February 8, 2022

Learning from the Champions of Fiscal Conservatism

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 fiscal rules can solve this problem. We must put these rules into place before our economy gets any worse.

John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Government Spending

November 11, 2021

The 2023 Conservative Iowa Budget

The Conservative Iowa Budget helps limit government spending so that there are more opportunities for tax relief and for widespread prosperity for Iowans now and for generations to come.

John Hendrickson and Vance Ginn, Ph.D. Budget