Iowa Senate Democrats

Fighting for a Better Deal for Iowans.

  • Tax-hike proposal violates Iowans’ trust

    Iowans made clear their support for our natural resources and recreational opportunities at the ballot box, but Governor Reynolds is now threatening to shortchange them (SSB 3116/HSB 657).

    In 2010, voters approved a Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund to be filled with a portion of state sales tax if the sales tax was increased. Governor Reynolds now wants to raise the sales tax, but is reneging on the agreed-to amount for natural resources and recreation.

    Iowans intended for at least $200 million a year in new money to go to natural resources and recreation, but the Governor’s sleight of hand will provide only $82 million in new funding, according to the Iowa Fiscal Partnership.

    Prior to the 2010 election, state legislators established how money would be generated and distributed so that Iowans knew in advance exactly what they were committing to when they voted for a constitutional amendment creating the trust fund.

    Although the idea was to beef up spending with new funding where it was sorely needed, the Governor’s plan ignores voters’ intent, and instead moves around money in existing programs. The result? Our land and water will get only about two-fifths of what was promised from the sales-tax increase.

    We will continue to listen to Iowans and push for changes to the Governor’s proposal as it makes its way through the legislative process.

    Learn more about what voters approved at iowaswaterandlandlegacy.org.

    Read the Iowa Fiscal Partnership’s analysis at iowafiscal.org/breaking-trust-with-the-trust.

  • Latest state deficit figures show GOP budget is ‘out of whack’ and hurting Iowa families

    A statement from Senator Joe Bolkcom, ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee:

    “Iowa is not in a recession. Iowa is experiencing slow revenue growth because the policies of Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are out of whack. Delaying tax refunds for Iowa families and other gimmicks will not solve this budget mess.

    “Republicans must stop showering tens of millions on large tax giveaways to out-of-state corporations.  These tax giveaways now top $500 million annually and are the fastest growing part of the state spending.
    “The really bad news is that Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans are balancing the budget on the backs of working Iowans. Senate Democrats will continue to oppose Republican-sponsored cuts to the services that Iowans depend on.  These cuts threaten public safety, the quality of education, and the safety net for seniors, children and vulnerable Iowans.
    “These cuts to services could have been avoided if Republican legislators and Governor Reynolds had delivered on their promises to increase family income by 25% and create more than 200,000 new jobs in Iowa.
    “So far, working Iowans have seen nothing but broken promises and horrible cuts to state services from Governor Reynolds and legislative Republicans.”
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