The City of Des Moines plans to give 100% of the revenue from a TIF (Tax Increment Financing) district to property developers. The price tag for this development could reach $1 billion. Is that fair? ITR Foundation (ITRF) President Chris Ingstad is a student of TIF and has answers to some very basic questions: Is there any evidence to show that this will boost overall economic activity, and are these incentives really necessary? Will individual taxpayers benefit in any way?
This action-packed episode of ITR Live is sure to entertain as we talk about crazy Uber rides, one-of-a-kind BBQ, and the thrilling, action-packed, heart-pounding agenda of a state think tank policy conference.
The gang also talks about recent headlines focused on an upcoming round of real estate assessments for properties in Polk County. The Polk County assessor estimates that residential assessments will increase by 22% next year. If you aren’t enthused about the corresponding increase in your property tax bill, who is to blame? What can you do about it? What can the legislature do about it?
Iowa once had a property tax system that involved the use of “Tax Ferrets,” whose job it was to investigate individual Iowans to ensure compliance. On this episode of ITR Live, Chris got a new microphone and talks about the event where he got to meet all 11 of our listeners. Chris Ingstad and Sarah Curry join the podcast […]
Chris, Chris, and John return from their long, unexplained hiatus to discuss two topics:
Pat Buchanan claims that Liberal Elites Detest Middle America after President Biden gave an inflammatory speech last week and brings receipts.
John praises Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver for being the quiet conservative in Iowa. Click to read the Senator Jack Whitver article.
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 […]
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?
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”.
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.
John joins the ITR podcast to talk about the FBI raid at the home of former President Donald Trump. John and Chris discuss why it happened and what it means for Trump.
In March 2021, Congress passed the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The law directed huge sums of money to state and local government. Sarah joined the ITR Live podcast to reveal her findings as to how those funds were used and if they were necessary in the first place.
John joins the ITR Live podcast to answer some very important and difficult questions such as what is federalism, why we have the Electoral College, and what is so dangerous about the National Popular movement.
Chris and John joined the ITR Live Podcast to talk more about the policy missteps of Biden and D.C. Democrats, the popularity of Governor Kim Reynolds, and the latest instance of Congress trying to ignore the Consititution.
As Americans try to deal with the impact of rising inflation, President Biden had a tweet this weekend with his plan to lower gas prices. Biden’s solution is issue a command that gas stations simply lower the price. Brilliant. Chris Hagenow, Chris Ingstad and Sarah Curry get together to discuss this stunning ignorance of free market economics and the audacity to believe that the President holds the power to dictate terms to private citizens.
ITR Foundation President Chris Ingstad and Policy Director John Hendrickson joined the ITR Live podcast to discuss the ongoing efforts in Iowa to cut taxes, specifically regarding the skyrocketing property tax burden.
ITR Foundation President Chris Ingstad and Research Director Sarah Curry joined the ITR Live podcast to talk about what Indianola property taxpayers are facing and why local governments believe they need so much money.
ITR’s Chris Hagenow, and Ernie Adkison along with ITR Foundation’s Chris Ingstad get together to discuss chickens, bounce houses and pressure washers along with a few other random topics. The results of Iowa’s primary elections. Big wins for Republican United States Senator Chuck Grassley and his opponent Micheal Franken. State Senator Zach Nunn wins big and will now be […]
Host Chris Hagenow was recently named President of Iowans for Tax Relief and is joined by new ITR Foundation President Chris Ingstad to discuss their new roles within the ITR family of organizations. The Chris’s talk about why the future is bright not only for their organizations but, more importantly, for the future of the state of Iowa. After explaining […]
ITR Foundation Policy Director John Hendrickson joined the ITR Live podcast to talk about why it is important that the Iowa Caucuses remain first in the nation and the importance of the Electoral College.