The Government Takes
Too Much of Your Money and Time
During the upcoming legislative session, the best way for lawmakers to help Iowans is to get out of their pocket by lowering taxes and off their back by removing excessive regulations.
Last year, our daily lives were impacted by rules and regulations many of us never imagined. Anxiety and uncertainty affected our finances.
Iowa has been fortunate. Conservative leadership before the pandemic allowed our state to weather the storm as well as any in the nation. Lawmakers were able to close the last fiscal year without dipping into reserve funds and passed a status quo budget for the current year.
In November, voters gave the legislature a mandate to continue getting government out of our lives and livelihoods. In other words, Iowans deserve to keep more of their hard-earned money and have the freedom to make decisions without unnecessary regulations.
Heading into the 2021 legislative session, here is our to-do list for lawmakers:
Speed up scheduled tax cuts
Make it easier to enter new careers
Guarantee support is given to those who are genuinely in need
Increase the fiscal accountability of local governments
Iowans deserve every opportunity to grow and prosper. When citizens make their voices heard, it’s harder for politicians to get away with increasing spending and creating economic burdens.
PPP loans used to keep people employed throughout the pandemic remained tax-free as promised by Congress earlier this spring.
One piece of the COVID stimulus bill President Trump signed during the last week of December was an issue important to ITR members: ensuring that PPP loans used to keep people employed throughout the pandemic remained tax-free as promised by Congress earlier this spring. Not only did Congress and President Trump ensure this promise was kept, but ITR members spoke up and made their voices heard! Each of Iowa's Representatives and Senators in Washington heard from ITR's members about the critical need to take action.
Not only was the legislation passed with bi-partisan support from Iowa's delegation, but your legislators shared your concerns. Here's a sampling:
"This has become an unexpected expense for many of these businesses and I worry that this will be devastating and have a huge impact on Iowa businesses. It is something that needs to be addressed." - Senator Joni Ernst
"We need to ensure that small businesses which did receive PPP are able to receive the full value of that loan forgiveness and do so quickly." - Rep. Cindy Axne
"My colleagues and I are committed to ensuring that America’s small businesses get the help that they need to weather the coronavirus crisis. We will continue our efforts to provide meaningful relief to small businesses at this critical time." - Senator Chuck Grassley
Governor pauses tax plan; Lower taxes still a goal
ITR Vice President Chris Hagenow released the following statement in response to Governor Kim Reynolds’ comments regarding her tax plan and the 2021 legislative session:
"There have been no better champions for Iowa taxpayers over the past several years than Gov. Reynolds and legislative leadership. Regardless of any specific plan, we are encouraged by the ongoing interest at the Capitol of how to deliver fair, broad-based tax relief to Iowans. The Governor and legislature have a strong track record of delivering more economic opportunity to Iowans."
"2020 was a difficult year, and Iowans have been faced with many trials. The best way to further boost Iowa’s economic recovery is simple: let Iowa's families and small businesses keep more of their own money. The issue of tax cuts should be on the table during the 2021 session."
Links of Interest
"There's a good opportunity to return some of that money to the taxpayers, maybe in the form of an income tax cut or a property tax cut."
- Sen. Brad Zaun, KCCI
"You can decide whether you want to empower government or empower the people...let Iowans and Iowa businesses keep more of their hard-earned money is a great stimulus." - Tom Sands, Iowa Taxpayers Association President on WHO Radio's Need to Know with Jeff Angelo
Iowa tax cuts remain a GOP priority for post-pandemic era
- Sioux City Journal
Sales taxes account for 44% of growth in overall Iowa tax receipts
- Radio Iowa
