Iowa must seize every opportunity to fight for a better and brighter future.
2022 is bringing big, important issues to lawmakers for their consideration. The issues that are on the table as this year’s legislative session kicks off next week will have an impact far beyond the walls of the Capitol. Every Iowan across the state has something at stake, and Iowans for Tax Relief (ITR) will be right in the middle of many of these policy discussions.
ITR is grateful for the leadership that has allowed Iowa to maintain such a productive economy and a strong financial position so we can have this opportunity to continue the good work that’s been accomplished over the past several years; there is an even brighter future ahead!
Below, we lay out some of the questions many Iowans are asking. We believe the answers to those questions need to be grounded in a philosophy of less government intervention, lower taxes, and freer markets.
What should be done about taxes?
Iowans have been sending more of their hard-earned money to Des Moines than the state needs to operate. This has resulted in the Taxpayer Relief Fund, a special fund that collects these overpaid tax dollars, stockpiling a projected $2 billion balance by the end of this fiscal year.
We have a giant pot of taxpayer money built up, and our tax code still keeps pumping in more money with every passing year. Will the legislature find new spending projects or create a tax plan filled with new carveouts and giveaways through the tax code? Or will taxpayers reap the reward of a decade of conservative budgeting?
Most legislators acknowledge that at least some sort of meaningful tax reform package is on the way, but what will become law?
ITR will be at the Capitol every day to fight for a significant tax relief bill that will make a real difference for your family budget. ITR will fight against one-time credits and giveaways to instead deliver broad-based, permanent individual income tax rate reductions.
Read more: Iowa Still Has High Income Tax Rates
Can anything control your property tax bill?
People are often upset by their property taxes when they receive their annual bill, but there is nothing they can do at that point. By the time the bill shows up in an Iowan’s mailbox, the local budgets and levy rates fueling that growing property tax burden have already been decided.
Actually, the budgets that determine your property tax bill are being discussed right now. Go to itrlocal.org to see how your property taxes have grown, and use our built-in email form to easily start a conversation with the elected officials who determine your property tax bill.
It is time to improve Iowa’s 2019 Truth in Taxation legislation by resetting levy rates to close the honesty gap and empowering local property owners with direct notification of public hearings on local budget increases, so they can make their voices heard.
Read more: Property Taxes – You’ve Got Mail
Will the legislature deliver universal school choice?
For many reasons, an increasing number of parents are exploring educational alternatives for their children. Iowa is fortunate to have robust laws protecting the right of parents to choose an educational setting that fits the needs of their students. However, a significant financial barrier still exists for too many. Lawmakers are expected to work on a new proposal to create Educational Savings Accounts that will provide all Iowa families with a real choice in education, regardless of income.
ITR supports a true universal ESA program that gives all Iowa families the same choice for their students’ education.
Read more: Universal Educational Savings Accounts
What can be done to remedy Iowa’s workforce shortage?
One of the greatest hindrances to our state’s economic growth is the lack of available workers. Many Iowa businesses report that their primary challenge lies in identifying and attracting new employees. What can and should the legislature’s role be in addressing this workforce shortage? Is the solution simply more tax credits and public programs, or can the problem be addressed without growing government?
ITR has a set of free-market policy solutions that will help expand our workforce and get Iowans back to work.
Read more:
- Unemployment Reform
- Occupational Licensing Reform
- Home-Based Business Solutions
- Public Assistance Program Integrity
What will happen in the 2022 elections?
History says that a President’s first midterm election goes poorly for the party in control in Washington, D.C.
Last fall, ITR Foundation commissioned a poll confirming what other public polling indicated: 2022 looks to be a very strong year for Iowa Republicans. Governor Reynolds is in a commanding position for reelection, and the current Republican legislative majorities will likely grow even larger.
Is it possible that Iowans will elect Republicans to every federal and statewide office on the ballot this fall?
ITR PAC is already hard at work identifying pro-taxpayer conservatives to run for the state legislature. We will continue to support current like-minded legislators who have championed lower taxes.
For a deeper dive into 2022’s legislative session, read the ITR Issue Guide:
Download ITR’s Legislative Issue Guide
