Press Releases

Iowa Deficit = $161 million. The largest government budget in Iowa history can't be paid for this year.

MUSCATINE, IA - State Fiscal Year 2009 closed yesterday (June 30) with a massive deficit.

July 1, 2009

Governor Culver is Back at it Again! Forcing Iowans to pay a tax on a tax is agenda item number one

MUSCATINE, IA - Governor Culver is back at it again. This weekend he put the bill to force Iowans to pay a tax on a tax on the top of his agenda, unless he hears from Iowans who are firmly against the proposal.

June 2, 2009

Legislative Session Ends with NO Change to Federal Deductibility!

MUSCATINE, IA-The Iowa Legislature has come to a close for 2009 with no action on the bill to repeal Federal Deductibility which would have forced Iowans to pay a tax on a tax. 

April 26, 2009

RELEASE: Federal Deductibility elimination is topic of secret negotiations at the Iowa Capitol!

MUSCATINE, IA-- As the final days of the 2009 Legislative Session are unfolding, secret meetings with arm twisting and horse trading, are being led by House Democrat leaders.  All of this is being done in a last ditch effort to make every Iowa taxpayer pay a tax on a tax by eliminating Federal Deductibility.

April 24, 2009

Article-- Federal Deductibility: Freddie Krueger or Fredo

It has been nearly three weeks since Democrat leaders began their attack on the right of Iowa taxpayers to deduct their federal taxes on their Iowa return. Where does the fight stand today?  

April 16, 2009

Peel the layers back…and the bill to repeal federal deductibility stinks

MUSCATINE, IA--  The bill to force Iowans to pay a tax on a tax has new budget projections.  A 'fiscal note' on the bill to repeal federal deductibility in Iowa was published by the Legislative Services Agency on Wednesday, April 15, 2009.  The analysis shows in four of the next five years the bill will force Iowans to pay higher taxes.

April 15, 2009

Debate is Scheduled to Repeal Federal Deductibility

MUSCATINE, IA - The bill which forces Iowans to pay a tax on a tax is scheduled for debate in the Iowa House on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. We are asking Iowans to return to the Capitol at 10:00am to be part of the action.

April 13, 2009

Iowa taxpayers being bullied into paying more and more taxes?

MUSCATINE, IA-The bill which forces Iowans to pay a tax on a tax changes, but essentially stays the same.  The new amendment which House Democrat leaders filed on Wednesday in an effort to improve House File 807 is still bad for Iowa taxpayers.

April 9, 2009

Have Taxpayer's Been Kicked out of the Conversation, Again?

MUSCATINE, IA-One week after Speaker Murphy kicked over 650 Iowans out of a public hearing on the bill to force Iowans to pay a tax on a tax, and had them escorted out by State Troopers, they continue the secret closed-door meetings.  According to statements from legislative leaders a deal has been made between Governor Culver and House Democrats.  Yet, no one has the details, and day after day, public debate on federal deductibility has been cancelled.

April 7, 2009

No Tax on a Tax Debate for Thursday POSTPONED

 

Dear Friends-
 
Great news...we have just learned that the Democrat Leadership in the Iowa House has cancelled 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 Thursday, April 2. 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 "Contribute" on this page.
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Ed Failor, Jr.
President
Iowans for Tax Relief

April 2, 2009

RELEASE: IOWA TAXPAYERS KICKED OUT OF THEIR OWN STATE CAPITOL

To view Iowans for Tax Relief in the media click here http://www.taxrelief.org/pages/media

MUSCATINE, IA—Last night, Iowans for Tax Relief, stood strong with 600+ Iowa taxpayers at the State Capitol to participate in a public hearing concerning proposed legislation that would repeal federal deductibility in Iowa. Federal deductibility allows Iowans the ability to deduct the taxes they pay to the federal government on their state income tax form.

April 1, 2009

RELEASE: ITR Launches “No Tax on a Tax” television and Radio commercials

To view Iowans for Tax Relief in the media click here http://www.taxrelief.org/pages/media

MUSCATINE, IA-Today, Iowans for Tax Relief, announced a media blitz comprised of paid television and radio advertisements in Iowa.  The advertisements call on all Iowans to contact their State Legislators and urge them to protect federal deductibility.

March 31, 2009

RELEASE: Speakers at the public hearing to repeal federal deductibility in the Iowa House tonight

MUSCATINE, IA-Today the Iowa House is holding a public hearing from 7:30pm to 9:30pm on the bill to repeal federal deductibility and force Iowans to pay a tax on a tax.  The rules allow for a maximum of 45 speakers for and against the bill, House Study Bill 284, now House File 807.

 

March 31, 2009

RELEASE: Forcing Iowans to Pay a Tax on a Tax is Unfair.

MUSCATINE, IA-- On Thursday, March 26, 2009 Iowa Democrat Legislative Leaders unveiled their plan to repeal Iowa's federal deductibility law.  On Monday, March 30, 2009 at 12:30pm the House Ways and Means Committee will vote to force Iowans to pay a tax on a tax.

March 27, 2009

RELEASE: Iowa Taxpayer Transparency Act wins approval in the Iowa House

Iowa Taxpayer Transparency Act wins approval in the Iowa House

MUSCATINE, IA-- Iowans for Tax Relief President, Ed Failor, Jr., made the following statement today regarding the 96-3, 1 absent, vote in the Iowa House to approve the Iowa Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2009.

March 25, 2009

Release: Iowa Budget Gets Grounded After Soaring Sky High

Muscatine, IA-- The Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) met today and as expected they lowered the estimate of tax dollars coming into state coffers by $130 million for 2009 and $270 million for 2010.  The economic slowdown is impacting Iowa taxpayers and businesses.  Iowans have felt the pinch for the past few months, yet unfortunately government continues to spend at a record pace. 

March 20, 2009

Ask the right questions of Governor’s plan for 30,000 jobs

MUSCATINE, IA-Governor Culver released details on his plan to borrow $750 million last week.  In the plan he touts the way to create jobs in Iowa is to borrow $750 million this year alone to be repaid over the next twenty years.  Governor Culver has stated this plan will create an estimated 4,000 jobs for every $100 million borrowed.  His calculations then show borrowing $750 million would create 30,000 new jobs for only one year. 

March 18, 2009

STATEMENT: Iowans for Tax Relief Claims First Legislative Victory of 2009

MUSCATINE, IA-Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief, claims the first legislative victory of 2009 for Iowa taxpayers. On Wednesday afternoon the House State Government Committee unanimously approved the Iowa Taxpayer Transparency Act of 2009. This means the bill made it through the first legislative funnel and is now eligible for debate by the full Iowa House.

March 12, 2009

Iowans for Tax Relief Announces Auditor David Vaudt as the 2009 Watchdog Award Winner

MUSCATINE, IA—Today Iowans for Tax Relief President, Ed Failor, Jr., presented State Auditor David Vaudt with the 2009 Watchdog Award. Iowans for Tax Relief has over 53,000 members statewide and works to help make sure taxpayers hold state elected officials accountable for spending and tax increases.

March 10, 2009

Iowa Senate Democrats Propose Elimination of Federal Deductibility

MUSCATINE, IA-Today Iowa Senate Democrats held their weekly press conference and Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) told members of the press they are debating a measure to eliminate federal deductibility this year.

February 19, 2009

Iowans for Tax Relief President Ed Failor, Jr. releases a statement on property tax increases for next year in Governor Culver’s budget

MUSCATINE, IA-Two major property tax increases are in Governor Culver's budget released yesterday. 

January 30, 2009

Iowans for Tax Relief President Ed Failor, Jr. releases a statement on property tax increases for next year in Governor Culver’s budget

MUSCATINE, IA-Two major property tax increases are in Governor Culver's budget released yesterday

January 30, 2009

Iowans for Tax Relief supports President Barack Obama's mission for a transparent government

January 21, 2009

Iowans for Tax Relief expresses concern on the tax scheme proposed by some Iowa Legislators to create a new city income tax.

December 31, 2008

Iowans for Tax Relief Announces New Leadership Team

November 18, 2008

Barely 40 Hours After Passage of Local Option Tax Repeal, “Must Do” Legislation Contains First Diversion

April 24, 2008

Mourning the Loss of Senator Richard Drake

The staff and board members of Iowans for Tax Relief mourn the loss of long-time Muscatine County State Legislator, Richard Drake.

“The passing of Senator Richard Drake is a humbling note in Iowa politics. In his thirty-eight years of service he was a great friend of the taxpayer. Senator Drake earned the trust of the voters by protecting the family budget before the state budget. The loss of Richard Drake is the loss of a true statesman. Our prayers go out to Shirley Jean and the rest of the Drake family,” said Jeffrey Boeyink, President of Iowans for Tax Relief.

January 28, 2008

Boeyink to Culver: “Do Your Homework Governor. Iowans Strongly Support Keeping Federal Deductibility.”

MUSCATINE, IA. – Jeffrey Boeyink, President of Iowans for Tax Relief, today asked Governor Chet Culver to rethink his recent statement in favor of complete elimination of Iowans’ right to fully deduct the amount they pay in federal income taxes on their Iowa tax return (Cedar Rapids Gazette, 1-6-08). Boeyink said, “Do your homework Governor. Iowans strongly support keeping federal deductibility.”

January 16, 2008