The Iowa House and Senate have been working towards reducing taxes on commercial, industrial, and railroad properties (CI&R) for the past two legislative sessions. However, both the Senate and the House proposals for the current session are both costly and play to a myth about Iowa taxes on businesses. Both plans differ in their impact … Read more
The Affordable Care Act (ACA), commonly known as Obamacare, has been a controversial topic in American politics since its implementation in 2010. With the election of President Donald Trump in 2016, many have wondered about the future of this legislation, particularly given the Republican Party’s long-standing opposition to it. As Congress and the incoming Trump … Read more
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a tool that cities use to promote the development of economically challenged areas. The mechanism works by establishing an urban renewal area (URA) and diverting taxes on the increased value in the URA to a TIF fund. However, in recent years, TIF has become a topic of controversy. Some cities … Read more
The Iowa Fiscal Partnership recently released a statement that was critical of Governor Branstad’s decision to cut education funding and veto legislation that would have expanded eligibility for child care assistance. According to the statement, these decisions will harm low- and moderate-income Iowans and have negative consequences for the state’s public schools. Governor Branstad vetoed … Read more
The Iowa Legislature is currently considering a bill, HSB165, which has raised concerns among local communities. The bill proposes a 2 percent cap on the growth of property tax levies every year, which could significantly increase state control over the budgeting decisions of locally elected city councils and county boards. The proposed cap is not … Read more
For the past few weeks, there has been a heated debate about the tax bill in Washington D.C. Despite long negotiations, the final outcome remains the same: Congress is helping the rich and large businesses while the poorest members are left without any help. This legislation will undoubtedly have a negative impact on Iowa and … Read more
The Iowa Legislature is currently considering new tax bills that aim to offer substantial new tax breaks for seniors, despite there being no evidence of need or recognition of existing preferences. While it is true that seniors in Iowa have the lowest poverty rate of any age group, it is also essential to note that … Read more
The Iowa General Assembly has kicked off with a primary focus on tax reform, with Governor Kim Reynolds’ proposed plan up for consideration. While the proposal does include some desirable reforms, such as modernizing the sales tax and increasing the standard deduction, it has been met with criticism for its lack of real reforms to … Read more
Despite Governor Kim Reynolds reopening businesses in Iowa, the state is currently facing a significant increase in COVID-19 cases, particularly in rural areas. While the total number of cases is important, the incidence rate among the population is what matters most to the residents of small towns and rural counties. In some counties, the incidence … Read more
Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is a financing mechanism designed to revitalize underdeveloped urban areas. The basic concept of TIF involves using future increases in property tax revenues generated by development in a designated TIF district to finance public investment within that same district. By capturing a portion of the incremental growth in property tax revenues … Read more