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Iowa has a Governor Brownback problem. In 2011 in Kansas Sam Brownback was elected governor, and he did what Iowa Republican lawmakers and Governor Reynolds have been trying to do -- starve the state to appeal to voters who don't like to pay taxes. Massive state income tax cuts in Kansas in 2012-2013 -- often called the “Kansas experiment” -- which aimed to spur economic growth but led to severe state budget shortfalls. In addition, it did not spur the Kansas economy more than the neighboring states.
Iowa is spending more than it taxes for the last three years. The state’s reserve funds provide a cushion that ease concerns in the short term, but that's just not a good plan for solving the multitude of problems that we have with water quality, public schools and our mental health system.
A new report from the Common Sense Institute of Iowa projects the state will run a $1.2 billion general fund deficit during fiscal year 2027. It’s the second year in a row that number has been above $1 billion, and mainly stems from income tax cuts which took effect in 2025. weareiowa.com
PLEASE, think about this when you look at your ballot and consider: Amendment 1 That asks you to vote to require a two-third vote to pass a bill to raise individual or CORPORATE income taxes. Please vote NO.
We will need money and the reserves will be diminished. If income taxes can't be increased then sales taxes will be increased and sales taxes are progressive and will be worse for low income families already devastated by inflation.