Des Moines, Iowa — Senator David Johnson from Ocheyedan says he’s introducing a bill that would increase the state sales tax .375 of a percent. Johnson says his idea is to use the extra revenue for soil and water conservation.
The .375 percent hike would make the state sales tax 6.375 percent, and would raise an estimated $150 million a year, according to Johnson. Johnson said he wanted to introduce the legislation “after the fuel tax issue was settled.”
He says the Iowa House may have a similar bill, but differences between the bills would have to be hammered out.
The Senator says he believes Iowans want quality of life and clean water. He says the way to get cleaner water is through soil and water conservation; something that is being cut on the national level. He says the state needs to monitor more rivers, streams and lakes.
