(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide Iowa (RI) — An organization that advocates for lower taxes is launching a statewide campaign encouraging voters to pass a proposal that would make it more difficult for lawmakers to raise Iowa income taxes.
The proposed amendment would require a two-thirds supermajority in the Iowa legislature to increase income taxes on individuals or corporations. Currently, Iowa income taxes may be raised with a simple majority vote.
Iowans for Tax Relief President Chris Hagenow says the group’s goal is making sure voters know the amendment is printed on the back of the General Election ballot.
Hagenow says the amendment would make tax increases a last resort when lawmakers make budget decisions. The group has set up a website — MakeTaxHikesHarder.com — and Hagenow expects the campaign to include radio and TV ads, along with mailers sent directly to voters.
Hagenow says 16 other states require a supermajority vote to raise income taxes. The proposed amendment cleared the Iowa legislature twice, with support from Republicans who have helped reduced corporate and individual income taxes over the past decade.
Governors do not play a role in sending constitutional amendments to voters, but Governor Kim Reynolds is expressing support for the concept.
Since Reynolds became governor in 2017, she has signed legislation reducing Iowa’s individual income tax — now a flat 3.8% — and lowering corporate income taxes. State income taxes on retirement income have also been eliminated.
Democrats who oppose requiring a supermajority vote say it would make it harder for lawmakers to respond to a budget crisis.
