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Iowa Democratic Leaders Postpone Federal Deductibility Debate ONE MORE TIME!

Iowa Democratic Leaders Postpone Federal Deductibility Debate ONE MORE TIME!

Every time Democrats tell us they are going to debate House File 807/Senate File 468, which repeals Iowa’s Income Tax deduction on Federal Income Tax (also referred to as putting a “Tax on a Tax”), the public shows up to convey their opposition and watch the proceedings, only to have them postpone the debate to another day.

Why?

Why, when Grand-stall and Smurphy tell us that they have the votes to pass the legislation, do they delay getting the work done?

Possible answers:

  1. They don’t have the votes.
  2. They are afraid that the presence of actual voters might cause some Democrats to think twice about how they will vote.
  3. They are afraid that the presence of actual voters might cause Governor Culver to think twice about whether he will sign the bill.
  4. They are afraid they might be forced to say something that is blatantly stupid or a lie in order to make their case stronger.  Like the bill is revenue neutral (lie) or that lower income Iowans will benefit (lie) or that only rich people will be negatively impacted (stupid).
  5. Or they are just plain afraid of a headline that might read “Iowa Democrats Lead Government Rebellion Against Taxpayers”.  I kind of like that one… I hope I don’t get to use.

I suspect we will see a quiet attempt to slip this bill through once they think no one is looking.  We must, all Iowan taxpayers, keep our eyes and ears open in the coming days to ensure we are there when the votes are cast… the politicians must not be allowed to sneak this through without public scrutiny.

Don’t let them raise your taxes.

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I really don’t get this one when I look at face value.  Who benefits?  What is the problem that this solves?  Don’t be fooled, it’s not about making life better for those with lower incomes… it’s about increasing revenue.  Even with a “revenue neutral” model for 2010 and 2011, there is a dramatic increase in revenue in 2012 and later.

And if this does pass, two things need to happen:

  1. Get Democrats out of office.
  2. Make Republicans PROMISE to fix it when they have control.

If we don’t hold Republicans’ feet to the fire, it will be too easy even for them to accept the inflated revenue and spend it on something.  This is not intended as a criticism of Republicans (I count myself in their number), but of human nature.

No matter who is in office, you have to hold them accountable.

This Week (April 13th) At The Iowa Statehouse

This Week (April 13th) At The Iowa Statehouse

So, the leadership of the Iowa General Assembly are again hoping to end the session this week.  From their standpoint, I think they hope to finish up the budget, pass the repeal of Federal Deductibility, and avoid any more discussion about a Marriage Amendment to the Iowa Constitution.

It might be a bit of a challenge.

The next three days, various groups will be descending on the Iowa Statehouse, and you can join them.

Monday, 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM: Protest of the Supreme Court Decision regarding Gay Marriage:

West side of the Iowa Capitol Building, Des Moines

Please dress warm.  In case of rain, go inside the Capitol.

Participating Organizations:

  • Everyday America
  • Iowa Christian Alliance – Norm Pawlewski
  • Concerned Women of America – Tamara Scott
  • Iowa Eagle Forum
  • Iowa Family Policy Center
  • Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators
  • and many more to be announced Monday.

Tuesday, 10:00 AM: Protest of the planned Repeal of Federal Deductibility (“Tax on a Tax”)

From Iowans for Tax Releif:

We need you to come to the Iowa Capitol on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 10:00am to make your voice heard.  The Legislature will be in session all day and we need taxpayers to show up and say “No Tax on a Tax”.

If you still have your red shirt and “No Tax on a Tax” buttons, please bring them along and wear them proudly.

The bill to repeal federal deductibility and forces you to pay a tax on a tax, has a new amendment.  House Democrat leaders filed the amendment on Wednesday in effort to improve House File 807, but is still bad for taxpayers.

Governor Culver called the plan a $54 million tax cut.  His description is clearly imaginative.  The numbers provided by the Iowa Department of Revenue tell a different story.

The truth is:

2009        $20.198 million tax cut
2010        $34.898 million tax cut
2011        $154.148 million tax INCREASE
2012        $157.104 million tax INCREASE
2013        $149.01 million tax INCREASE
NET RESULT   $405.166 million TAX INCREASE for Iowans over the next five years.

This new plan and the majority party’s explanation is similar to the story of a schoolyard bully.  What Iowa kid would be happy with the following occurring?

The bully tells a kid, “look I’m not going to steal your lunch money on Monday.  In fact, I’m going to give you a $20 bill.  On Tuesday, I’m going to give you $34.  See how nice I am, I just gave you $54.”

The bully continues, “but, you better have $154 for me Wednesday, and every day from then on.”

Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief commented, “Iowa taxpayers are tired of being bullied into paying more and more taxes.  The net result of this bill over the next five years is more than a $400 million tax increase on Iowans.  How on earth is that a tax cut?”

To make matters worse, in 2011 just over 149,000 Iowa taxpayers who earn $40,000 per year, or less, will see an increase in their Iowa income tax burden.  Is that really the Democrat definition of a middle class tax cut?” Failor concluded.

We can win this fight, but we need your help.

So we need action from you, your family, your neighbors, and friends.  If you can not join us at the Capitol, then please continue your phone calls, faxes, and emails.

Please contact Governor Culver at his office:

Please contact your Legislators at the Capitol:

Thank you for all of your support and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 10:00am!

Wednesday, 11:00 to 2:00 PM: Des Moines Tea Party at Iowa State Capitol West Lawn to Protest State and Federal Spending and Taxation

From the Des Moines Tea Party web site:

  • Bring folding chair if you need seating
  • Wear comfortable clothes
  • Bring your own signs (no sticks or poles)
  • Bring your camera!
  • Parking (see info in sidebar at right)
  • Be prepared to have fun – it is going to be a hoot!

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With all of this distraction, it will be a wonder if the Legislature gets anything done.   Personally, I hope they do get done… at least save us SOME money!

Matt Strawn’s April 10, 2009 Report: This Week’s Events And RPI Notes

Matt Strawn’s April 10, 2009 Report: This Week’s Events And RPI Notes

The following is Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn’s most recent Chairman’s Report.  – Ed.

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A personal note from the Chairman:  please keep Bob, Darla, and the Vander Plaats family in your thoughts and prayers over the Easter weekend as they continue to mourn the loss of Bob’s father who passed away this week.

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Governor Culver flips his position on Same Sex Marriage and sides with the Iowa Supreme Court.

After 100 hours of silence, Iowa Governor Culver finally broke his silence on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Iowa’s law that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  While his statement was carefully written and would have done Bill Clinton proud in its attempt to have it both ways, it nonetheless supports the Court’s decision and effectively flips the Governor’s previously held position to “do whatever it takes to protect marriage.”

Yesterday, Republican members of the Iowa House attempted to use a House procedural rule to force a potential vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would let the people vote on the definition of marriage.  Unfortunately, House Democrats refused to allow a vote on that motion so as to protect their members from having to take a tough vote.

Click below to hear Representative Christopher Rants’ remarks on the House floor courtesy of The Iowa Republican.
Representative Rants: Part 1
Representative Rants: Part 2

Time and again, Democrats at the State House have avoided facing the tough issues and taking the tough votes.  Whether it’s unsustainable budgets, job-killing labor legislation, punishing tax increases through elimination of federal deductibility, or failing to lead on defining of marriage, Governor Culver and legislative Democrats continue to demonstrate they are completely out of touch with the values of Iowans.

Iowans deserve better.  And given the opportunity, Republicans will deliver results!

Democrats refuse to give up on federal deductibility repeal and impose a Tax on a Tax.  House debate set for next Tuesday on new plan to RAISE income taxes over $400 million in the first five years.

Despite an overwhelming outpouring of anger and protest in opposition to their plans to eliminate federal deductibility, raise income taxes on Iowans at all income levels, and impose a punitive tax on a tax, Democrats at the State House have brought forward a “revised” proposal that contains ALL of the above.

While your great work, and the work of thousands of Republicans across the state, has given the Democrats pause and has slowed the movement of this terrible legislation, it has not yet put a knife in its heart.

This revised plan raises taxes on over 350,000 households in 2009, with over half of those households earning $60,000 or less.  By 2011, the number of losers climbs to more than 600,000 households and during the first five years this bill would raise total taxes on Iowans by more than $400 million.

And while the numbers are bad, this isn’t just about numbers.  This is also about fairness and the painfully twisted attempts to impose a state tax on income you use to pay federal income taxes – money most Iowans never see or have an opportunity to use.  A tax on a tax is wrong.

This is also about small businesses and jobs.  The Democrats’ tax plan specifically targets small businesses and imposes new tax burdens on the very small businesses that create the vast majority of new jobs in Iowa.  How can anyone believe it is sound policy to raise taxes on our state’s most productive job creators during a time of severe economic stress?

Iowa Republicans will continue to fight this issue and fight it aggressively.  We have at least one more week of hard work ahead of us as the Legislature prepares to pack up and go home at the end of next week.

Debate on this bill is scheduled for the Iowa House this Tuesday, April 14. Just two weeks ago the House Speaker booted over 600 Republicans from the House Chamber because he didn’t like their vocal support of those speaking in opposition to this legislation.  I am hearing that hundreds of Republicans are planning to be at the State Capitol on Tuesday to once again fill the balconies.  Anyone interested in joining them is encouraged to get to the Capitol no later than 10 a.m. and to wear red shirts in protest.

Get to your forums this weekend.  Keep up the pressure.  Iowa Republicans ARE making a difference and the finish line is in sight.  Let’s stretch to the tape and put a dagger in the heart of this job-killing tax increase!

Final three Listen and Learn forums scheduled for next week.  Take advantage of this opportunity to meet the leaders of your State Party.

Republicans in three more locations had the opportunity to meet with members of our State Party leadership team to discuss the future of our Republican Party as a part of my series of Listen and Learn forums.

In Grinnell, Ames, and Clear Lake nearly 150 Iowa Republicans gathered and participated in some spirited, informative, and very positive discussions.  When I envisioned and then initiated this Listen and Learn tour I did so knowing the potential existed for some unpleasant dialogue as frustrated Republicans expressed anger over our recent lack of success.

However, what I and other State Party leaders have found as we embarked on this road trip was something completely different.  Iowa Republicans have little interest in looking backward, in fighting about past failures or reliving past battles.  Instead, Iowa Republicans came into those rooms full of optimism, energy, and new hope for Republican success in 2010.

Iowa Republicans are READY to partner with their State Party and local candidates to move our principled conservative agenda forward.  They are ready to work together to elect new Republican majorities and send Governor Culver back to the classroom.

This coming week you still have three opportunities to meet with me and other State Party leaders at our final Listen and Learn forums.  Check the schedule below and join us at an event near your home.

  • 5th CD:  Listen & Learn Forum 1
    Hosted by Chairman Matt Strawn
    When: Monday, April 13, 2009
    Where: Anita Community Center, 805 Main St., Anita, IA 50020
    Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
  • 5th CD:  Listen & Learn Forum 2
    Hosted by Co-Chairman Jim Kurtenbach & the BVU College Republicans
    When: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
    Where: Storm Lake, Buena Vista University Forum Room 1, 610 W. 4th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588
    Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm
  • 1st CD:  Listen & Learn Forum
    Hosted by Co-Chairman Jim Kurtenbach
    When: Saturday, April 18, 2009
    Where: Northeast Iowa Community College, 680 Main St., Dubuque, IA 52001
    Time: 11:00 – 12:30

Check out Iowa Press this Week as I discuss the future of the Republican Party of Iowa with some of Iowa’s leading journalists.

Today I had the pleasure to represent Iowa Republicans and promote the renewal and resurgence of our party as a guest on Iowa Public Television’s program, Iowa Press.  The program will air at 7:30 p.m. tonight and at 11:30 a.m. this Sunday.

I hope you will have the opportunity to watch the program or to check it out on live streaming video by clicking here.

If you get a chance to watch the show, I would very much appreciate some feedback.  As your State Chairman I endeavor to represent the State Party in a professional and positive manner.  If you have a comment on the appearance, please send it to me at:  [email protected].

Vacancy on State Central Committee in the First District to be filled at a special meeting of First District Executive Committee on Saturday, April 18.  Any interested candidates are encouraged to contact our office for details.

It was with a heavy heart I recently accepted the resignation of Karl Gilberston as a member of the State Central Committee representing the First Congressional District.  Karl has been fighting a serious medical battle and I ask you to keep him in your prayers.

As a result of his resignation, and per the State Party Constitution and By-laws, I have scheduled a meeting of the First District Executive Committee for April 18 in Dubuque.

Current members of the State Central Committee from the First District are John Hulsizer from Dubuque County and John Ortega from Scott County.

Anyone with an interest in pursuing this vacancy is encouraged to call Eric Johansen, our Political Director, at 515.282.8105 or email him at [email protected] for more information on the time, location, roster of voting delegates, and committee procedures.

If you have an interest in serving the Republican cause at this level, this is a great opportunity.

In the News

Income tax changes face heated debate

Pivotal political point seen in Statehouse tax tempest

Lawmakers won’t challenge ruling

U.S. Rep King:  Statement on Obama amnesty plan

The Latham Report:  GM Firing Should Raise Concerns of Government Power-Grab

Lee County Protesters throw a ‘tea’ party

FINAL REMINDER: Check Republican on Your Tax Form

Iowa’s political checkoff is a program that allows you to direct part of the taxes you’ve already paid to the political party of your choice.  The program is very simple: When filing your Iowa tax return, simply mark the box next to “Republican Party” on Line 11 to give $1.50 to the Republican Party of Iowa.  Doing this does not increase the amount you owe or decrease your return – the $1.50 comes out of the taxes you’ve already paid!

Grassroots Activist of the Week: Lee County GOP Tea Party Participants

This week’s Grassroots Activists of the Week are those awesome Lee County Republicans who participated in a wildly successful Tea Party held at Ft. Madison’s Riverview Park last Saturday.  More than 150 people took part in the event and you can see the link to the story above.

While the Tea Party movement is not a partisan enterprise, Republicans from all across Iowa and the country are participating in this organic and spontaneous movement  to demonstrate their frustration with the direction Democrats are taking our nation and to show Americans that citizens can still make a difference in this country.

Thank you to the Lee County GOP for making your local event a huge success and for using that event as a springboard to reenergizing your local County Party.

(If you know someone deserving of being named our Grassroots Activist of the Week, please send a brief letter to [email protected] — we will keep your nomination anonymous if so desired.)

Upcoming Events

April 13:  5th District Listen and Learn Forum (1), Anita

April 14:  5th District Listen and Learn Forum (2), Storm Lake

April 18:  1st District Listen and Learn Forum, Dubuque

April 25:  State Central Committee meeting, Waterloo

April 25:  The Leon Mosley Roundup (a tribute to Leon Mosley), Waterloo
For updates and local events go to www.iowagop.org

Four New Ways to Stay in Touch With the IowaGOP

While RPI continues to solicit opinions and comments for overhauling our official website, www.iowagop.org, you can connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and IowaGOP the Blog! Click the preceding links for regularly updated news, commentary, and alerts from the Republican Party of Iowa. Have a news tip? Email them to [email protected] or call Eric at (515) 282-8105.

More Follow Up On House File 807

More Follow Up On House File 807

The political fallout continues for Democrats as they try to fend off criticism for Pat Murphy’s behavior Tuesday evening.  A letter to the editor in this morning’s Des Moines register lays it out pretty succinctly: characterizing the behavior of the public at Tuesday night’s public meeting prior to being expelled as anything more than brief expressions of disapproval or aproval (granting the first speaker deserved to be treated better) is spurious at best.  And Kiernan’s accusations that the public’s actions were orchestrated by Republican leaders is an outright lie; I was there during the preparatory time and there was nothing more than providing people with shirt and buttons… no direction to behave in any way.

If you watched KCCI news on Tuesday night (or the story on the web site), you briefly would have seen my ugly mug.  A number of people have mentioned they noticed and were surprised at what happened.  One friend’s Facebook Wall comment: “Way to stand up to the man!”.

Democrats have backed up the bus and skipped debating HF 807 either today (Thursday) or Friday it seems.  Kent Sorenson twittered us last night that majority leaders were working on an amendment that would ensure enough votes would be garnered to get the bill passed.  They are still working with the Governor to ensure they don’t get surprised by him (like they did on the Voter Irrelvancy Act that lost steam last month).

Iowa Independent had an interesting piece on the use of Twitter during the proceedings.  I was monitoring Kent Sorenson and the Senate Republican Caucus tweets, while I was commenting via Twitter myself.  I was also exchanging messages via email with one of the House members.  If you were following my tweets, you’ll know that my cell battery died shortly after the last speaker finished.

So here’s my two cents worth: One might think that Democrats would wise up and give up on this foolish venture and let it lie for now with the economy the way it is.  Passing this bill, which is just another case of a solution in desperate need of a problem (if you take it at face value), will just make a large portion of the Iowa voters angry… winning for Democrats on this bill may be worse than losing because they will probably lose over this.  A bold move at this point would be to stand up and say “We’ve heard Iowans and we get it: we will work on other methods to help lower income Iowans.”.  Democrats won’t get what they want, but then again they are less likely to lose seats in 2010.  And if they think that getting this in during the 2009 session has a better chance of being forgotten by November 2010 than if they pushed it through in the 2010 session, that’s a gamble for them.  This is something that they would be better to find smaller increments to achieve over a longer period.

If their only goal was this bill, that might work.  The bad news is, this bill IS one of those small increments.  If you think this HF 807 is a big deal, you ain’t seen nothin’ yet!

Lastly, one of the speakers Tuesday night, Mark Grittmann, got in contact with me and we’ve shared emails and a phone call back and forth over the past couple of days.  He was kind enough to share the text of his speech at the hearing, which one needs to understand is very much tongue-in-cheek, and conveys eloquently the point I made above:

Good evening and thank you for listening to the people of Iowa.  I’m Mark Grittmann.  I’m not a lobbyist and I’m not representing any special interest group.  I’m just a hard-working American taxpayer.

I’ve heard the Elimination of Federal Tax deductibility may cause up to a $600 Million tax increase and I’m all for it.  And those of you supporting this, say this would be good for the State of Iowa.  So if a $600 million tax increase is good for Iowa, then I think you should do more, so wouldn’t a $1.2 Billion tax increase be even better?

Some have foolishly argued against it.  Can you believe it?

  • Some say the 20% increase in State spending over the last 2 years should be reversed.
  • Some say this Bill is revenue neutral.  But if that is true, and it doesn’t change anything, then why do it?
  • Some say that Government, like family households, should live within their means and not let spending get out of control.
  • Some say a tax increase during a Global Financial Crisis and Recession is the worst thing for the economy, and that tax increases would hurt employers, causing a loss of jobs and people would leave Iowa to find work in other States.
  • Some say the facts about this Bill as to its true impact on taxes isn’t known or has not been fully disclosed, so how can this Bill even be debated yet?  One news report showed that 40% of the individuals receiving a tax increase make less than $40,000 per year.  And 69% of the individuals receiving a tax increase make less than $70,000 per year.
  • Some say that in November 2010, voters will remember the legislators who raised their taxes by 20%.

And that’s why I think this $600 million tax increase is good for Iowa.  It will bring new and improved, and more fiscally responsible Legislators to the State of Iowa in November 2010.

Thank you for listening, and good night.

That gives me an idea.  We should call this “The Legislative Replacement Act of 2009/2010”.

The news links herein are to Des Moines Register and Iowa Independent.

Alert: April 2 Debate On HF 807 Postponed! – Updated

Alert: April 2 Debate On HF 807 Postponed! – Updated

(Updated with message from Ed Failor Jr. below. – Ed.)

We received word from Ed Failor Jr. of Iowans For Tax Relief that Thursday’s planned debate on House File 807, Repeal of Federal Deductibility, has been canceled. We don’t yet know when it will be scheduled. You may have heard that Iowans For Tax Relief were asking for people to show up at the Capitol on April 2, but due to this late event, that request is canceled.

We were wondering whether the Majority Party was trying to delay things until the media attention died down, or if they were working on some other tactic to sneak the bill through.  Kent Sorenson, Republican House Member representing House District 74 (Warren County), tells us via twitter tonight that the Democrats are working on an amendment in an attempt to ensure they can get 51 votes.  This could be interesting.

We still strongly urge you to contact your representatives to express your opinion about the bill. A tax on a tax is not good for Iowa.

To find out who your representatives are and contact them:

http://www.taxrelief.org/legislators

The Conservative Reader is committed to ensuring that you know when your rights are in danger.  This is one of those times.

Update: Message From Ed Failor:

Dear Friends-

Great news…we have just learned that the Democrat Leadership in the Iowa House has canceled debate tomorrow on the bill to force you to pay a tax on a tax. This means we do not need you to travel to the State Capitol tomorrow. This is a small victory for us, as typically, this action would indicate as of tonight Speaker Murphy does not have the votes to repeal federal deductibility.

We must remain vigilant. We need you to continue contacting your Legislators and Governor Culver to remind them it is not fair to pay a tax on a tax. If federal deductibility is repealed over 490,000 Iowa taxpayers will see a tax increase, not to mention that of those 180,000 people make less than $40,000 per year.

We will continue fighting for you, and we are not taking anything for granted until House File 807, the bill to force you to pay a tax on a tax, is officially dead and we have taken back the People’s House.

Your financial support is more critical than ever so we can continue airing on message of “No Tax on a Tax” on television and radio stations across Iowa. If you are able to support our efforts, please make a secure online donation to Iowans for Tax Relief today by clicking here.

Sincerely,

Ed Failor, Jr.
President
Iowans for Tax Relief

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