Press Releases and Opinions
Kim Reynolds as the Lieutenant Governor selection is good for Iowa Taxpayers
MUSCATINE, IA- Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief, said today, "The selection of Kim Reynolds for Lieutenant Governor brings forward a fresh new voice in leading Iowa's comeback.
Iowans for Tax Relief PAC Endorses Terry Branstad for Governor
First ever endorsement by ITR PAC in a governor primary
MUSCATINE, IA - Iowans for Tax Relief PAC, sponsored by the 54,900-members Iowans for Tax Relief organization, today announced its endorsement of Terry Branstad for Governor in the June 8 Republican primary. This is the first time in ITR PAC's history it has endorsed a candidate for governor in a primary.
I-JOBS Contract With Frew Nations Group Needs Review
Management contract with Governor Culver's outgoing Chief-of Staff, John Frew, needs review
MUSCATINE, IA-Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief, delivered the letter below today to W. Charles Smithson, Executive Director and Legal Counsel of the Iowa Ethics and Campaign Disclosure Board, to request a review of Governor Culver's Chief-of-Staff Mr. John Frew and his company Frew Nations Group.
Tuesday (tomorrow) Ed Failor, Jr. is speaking with Governor Pataki in Des Moines
ALERT!!! Ed Failor, Jr., President of Iowans for Tax Relief, and Governor George Pataki, will be speaking together in the movement to Repeal Obamacare on Tuesday, April 20 at 12:15pm at the Des Moines Embassy Suites at 101 East Locust Street.
3 Things to Know About Saturday’s Iowa Taxpayers’ Day
1)Twitter Event Hashtag #itrtaxday 2)Event Line Up 3)Upcoming Media Interviews
Iowa Taxpayers' Day is hosted by Iowans for Tax Relief on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Holiday Inn Northwest at 4800 Merle Hay Road in Des Moines. (Map)
Join us at Iowa Taxpayers’ Day on Saturday
Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 3:00pm- 5:00pm at the Merle Hay Holiday Inn
Saturday is Iowa Taxpayers' Day!
RELEASE: Fort Dodge City Officials Irresponsibly Spending Taxpayer Dollars
MUSCATINE, IA - Taxpayers of Fort Dodge are being disregarded and disrespected by city officials who decided to allow city employees to take paid time off to support the proposed Diamond Jo casino in front of Iowa Racing and Gaming officials on Wednesday.
Kathie Obradovich is the M.C. for the 2010 Iowa Taxpayers’ Day and Eric Cooper has joined the lineup of Governor Candidate speakers
MUSCATINE, IA-Iowans for Tax Relief announced today Kathie Obradovich, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, will be the Master of Ceremonies (M.C.) at the 2010 Iowa Taxpayers' Day on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 3:00pm - 5:00pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel Northwest in Des Moines.
Governor Tim Pawlenty and four Iowa candidates for Governor will speak at the 2010 Iowa Taxpayers’ Day
MUSCATINE, IA-Iowans for Tax Relief announced today the line up for the 2010 Iowa Taxpayers' Day on Saturday, April 17, 2010 from 3:00pm to 5:00pm at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Northwest in Des Moines. The keynote speaker is Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty who is also the Vice Chair of the Republican Governors Association. Also speaking at the event will be the following candidates for Iowa Governor; Terry Branstad, Jonathan Narcisse, Rod Roberts, and Bob Vander Plaats.
RELEASE: Protect Federal Deductibility And Fix The Budget
DES MOINES, IA-Today Iowans for Tax Relief showed continued growing support from Iowans to protect federal deductibility and support the introduction of nine budget saving solutions by state legislators.
State Budget Savings Measures
On Monday, the Iowa Legislature will convene for the 2010 Legislative Session, and Iowans across the state will hold their breath, waiting to see if Governor Culver and Legislators will increase taxes. Iowans are all painfully aware the state budget is in terrible shape with a billion-dollar spending gap.
Opinion: Curb illegal immigration; curb state spending.
In less than one month, the Iowa Legislature will return to Des Moines for the 2010 Legislative Session, and lawmakers will face the largest budget gap in state history, adding up to more than one billion dollars. How Governor Culver and our Legislators choose to manage this financially devastating budget mess will shape our state for years to come. It is time to look at every single area of state spending.
Opinion: Time to Change and Consolidate State Government
While the economy continues to struggle, state lawmakers have a rare and valuable opportunity for major change and reform within state government. Governor Culver and Iowa Legislators must not pass up this chance to completely change the way the State of Iowa does business. There is no better time to evaluate and make state government better for Iowa taxpayers.
Opinion: Stronger Spending Limit Would Save Iowa Taxpayers Millions
Iowa taxpayers were dealt another crushing blow last week when the non-partisan Legislative Fiscal Services Division announced the state is facing a budget gap totaling more than one billion dollars. This number estimates the amount by which state spending will exceed expected tax revenues. There is no doubt, the Iowa budget is in bad shape - but there is a way out of budget chaos.
RELEASE: Agreement is a good first step, but it does not fix the real problem
Yesterday, the Iowa state employee union approved the agreement offered by Governor Culver for a short-term employee pay reduction for the next seven months instead of laying off over 750 workers in Iowa.
Opinion: Combine Iowa Regent Universities
As I continue to suggest ideas for Governor Culver and the Iowa Legislature to consider for budget savings, I have thought about one of the slogans of our great state "Iowa: Fields of Opportunity." There could not be a more appropriate slogan for our state. The economic crisis Iowa is facing continues to provide our lawmakers with indeed, fields of opportunity.
Opinion: Moving Iowa forward, sell state prisons to private-sector
The work of government taking and spending your money is endless, and state leaders continue to nibble around the edges. Governor Culver has taken a one-size fits all approach to correcting the state budget instead of looking for ways to make Iowa a better run state.
Opinion: Charge for state employee health insurance
Last week, the possibility of renegotiating the current state employee pay contract was discussed by Governor Culver. However, neither the Governor nor the employee unions have stated they intend to reopen the current contract, an action which should happen without delay.
Opinion: How to slow government growth? End taxpayer-funded lobbying.
It is time the State of Iowa begins to do business differently, and end the practice of allowing state employees to lobby lawmakers on spending issues.
There is a difference between proactive and reactive leadership
MUSCATINE, IA-With the release of the much anticipated state budget department reductions it is clear they continue to follow the same lazy and reactive example of Governor Culver's thoughtless across-the-board cuts.
Opinion: State layoffs not necessary; align state worker pay with private sector
Just over a week ago, Governor Culver implemented an across the board cut of $564.5 million as a knee-jerk reaction to the state spending problem. Since the announcement, state agencies have begun to announce how many Iowans they plan to layoff due to the Governor's action.
Opinion: We have a unique opportunity to make Iowa an even better state
With the news state coffers are $415 million short for 2010 and $1 billion short for 2011, it is time real solutions are offered to lift our great state out of the deep financial downturn. Governor Culver is offering quick-fix solutions such as cutting all state agencies across the board, by the same percentage, because it "avoids the unfair and unrealistic 'picking and choosing' of important programs" as he stated in Executive Order 19. [i] The job of an executive is to make the tough decisions because it is the right thing to do, not because there is an easier option.
Iowans for Tax Relief Launches Re-Designed Website
MUSCATINE, IA—Iowans for Tax Relief launched their re-designed website today at www.taxrelief.org. The organization, with more than 54,900 members, led the defeat of the bill to repeal federal deductibility in early 2009 and the website was a tremendous tool to distribute information and add members.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.”