Taxed Enough Already — no bailout tax dollars for politicians to do what they should have prioritized
Iowans for Tax Relief and Americans for Prosperity oppose increases
What type of Republican legislator would support unilaterally increasing local, state or federal fuel taxes? The term incompetent primarily comes to mind and then RINO, crony capitalist and “bought and paid for.” By unilaterally we mean that the legislator believes the entire state government is in critical condition and all functions are of the same importance and that there is no room anywhere to prioritize. Or, that it is critical to raise fuel taxes without first contemporaneously implementing more than a dollar for dollar reduction in taxes with the same impact on not previously exempted consumers. If they believe such budgetary adjustments are not possible than they are incompetent.
Reports continue to surface that the Iowa legislature, with Republican support, is seriously considering raising the per gallon fuel cost. Accordingly we received a communique from Iowa for Tax Relief (ITR) (excerpted with bold emphasis ours): We encourage a quick note to your Iowa state legislator ( contact points available from our Legislative Links page on our page bar above, or use the ITR links.
Monday, February 2, 2015
It’s Time to Bark
. . . Special interest groups, who will make big money from a gas tax increase, tried to persuade Legislators that there are no alternatives besides raising taxes to alleviate Iowa’s supposed $215 million transportation funding shortfall. . . .
As the Taxpayers’ Watchdog we know that Iowans strongly disagree, and know that raising taxes should always be a last resort, not the first solution! A professional, scientific, statewide poll taken last month shows 77.7% of Iowans oppose a ten-cents gas tax increase.
Iowa’s gas tax is now 22 cents per gallon, including the one-cent-per-gallon underground storage tank tax. A ten-cents increase would be a 45% increase of Iowa’s gas tax! Never in any other situation would Legislators consider increasing taxes by 45%. Legislators need to pay attention to Iowans, not the special interests who pad campaign funds and twist arms.
. . . There are no lists of projects or specifics about where additional dollars are needed or would go if raised.
. . . A gas tax increase would be a weak band-aid approach when surgery on the system is clearly in order. The Road Use Tax Fund formula needs an overhaul.
Finally, increasing Iowa’s fuel tax by 10 cents would raise Iowa’s gas tax rate above all our neighboring states but one (please see the graphic below). This would hurt the income of many Iowa businesses, especially in border counties. Iowa already has higher income and property taxes in comparison to many of our neighboring states and often ranks poorly in tax climate comparisons with all 50 states. Do we really want to be a high-tax state in yet another category?
. . . It’s time for Legislators to hear the Watchdog bark!
Senate Switchboard – 515-281-3371
House Switchboard – 515-281-3221
Other valuable information available from ITR and Americans for Prosperity
Public Interest Institute’s Fact Sheet on Impact of the Proposed Ten Cent Motor Vehicle Fuel Tax Increase on Farm-to-Market Roads In Iowa Counties
Americans for Prosperity Web site says stop the gas tax hike
