Is There Anything that Slows Gov’t Spending?

AT THE CAPITOL

How can the state stop spending so much?

This is a common question asked across Iowa. While there are many ways this could be accomplished, one of the broadest solutions would be to strengthen the existing spending limitation that exists in Iowa by adding language to our state’s constitution.

A bill, SJR 2, has been introduced in the Iowa Senate to amend the Iowa State Constitution by including a spending limit. This measure would “limit the annual increase in spending from year to year to the lesser of 99 percent of the estimated revenue for that fiscal year, or 4 percent above the prior year’s revenue.”

Iowa’s General Fund would have spent over $500 million less in the last ten years if this amendment had been in place.

A Senate subcommittee has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 5th, for SJR 2. Read more

Inheritance Tax Repeal on the Horizon?

Iowa is one of only seven states that still has an inheritance tax. Surviving spouses, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, and other direct lineal descendants (and ascendants for that matter), are exempt from paying taxes to the State of Iowa for property and assets they inherit. But beneficiaries such as sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and others, have to pay a tax ranging from 5 percent to 15 percent on the value of their inheritance.

The Iowa Senate has started advancing SF 1, a bill that would completely eliminate the inheritance tax. ITR supports this bill because taxes should not treat different groups of taxpayers in the exact same circumstance differently. In fact, avoiding this tax is another reason why Iowans choose to leave this state. Simply put, the Iowa inheritance tax system punishes Iowans who do not have children.

A Senate subcommittee has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 5th, for SF 1.

QUIZ

What area of the General Fund budget was the largest recipient of FY 2017 spending?

Answer at the bottom of this email

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IOWA NEWS LINKS

Compare your property taxes with other areas in Iowa – TEF

Regents leaders seek state funding increase – Radio Iowa

Growth of electric cars could jeopardize Iowa’s road fund – CR Gazette

Don’t Judge Your Taxes by Your Refund – Tax Foundation

QUIZ ANSWER

Question: What was the largest area of spending from the Iowa General Fund in Fiscal Year 2017?

Answer: School Aid

Source: General Fund Report FY 2017

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