Senate Journal: Page 49: Tuesday, January 10, 1995

         1994 was a year when  Iowa  was  engaged  in  a  vigorous  debate
    over the course of their future.  Out of all the sound and the fury of
    that long, political campaign came a few unmistakable messages from
    Iowans.

         Iowans want govemment to tax less and do only what it must do
    better.

         Iowans want better quality jobs and the highest standard of living
    in our state's history.

         Iowans want welfare to mean work and responsibility and not
    dependence.

         Iowans want to feel safer in their homes and in their communities.

         Iowans want the best education system in the world for their
    children.

         In 1994, the people of Iowa spoke -- less government, lower taxes,
    better reformed welfare, safe communities, the best education -- that is
    their message.

         Now, here in 1995, it is our job to govern accordingly.

         And that is exactly what I plan to do.  The budget and program I am
    presenting to you mirrors these goals and will help make this -- the
    1990's -- Iowa's best decade ever.

         First, we must cut taxes.  Iowa families and business pay too much
    in income and property taxes to government and keep too little of their
    hard earned money to help our economy grow.  Our state income tax is too
    high -- it drives people out of our state.  Our property taxes are too
    high -- they burden investment, job creation, agricultural production,
    and home ownership.  Income and property  must be cut.

         With the condition of our budget, there is no state in the nation
    that is better positioned to reduce the tax burden on its citizens than
    we are today.  And, there is no reason why we should not act now.

         I am proposing an across-the-board 15% cut in income tax rates for
    all Iowa taxpayers.  This will make our state more competitive.  The
    facts show that the states that cut income taxes experience greater
    economic growth than those that do not.

         We can never forget that the money which may look like a line on a
    budget  is the hard-earned income of hard-working  Iowans.  The best
    opportunity we can provide and the best incentive for progress is to let
    the people of Iowa take home more in their paycheck.

         Property taxes must also be reduced.  We will do that by
    controlling mental health care costs and by having the state pick up a
    bigger share.  To ensure taxpayers that this will be translated into
    lower property taxes, we should require that  additional state aid to
    counties be met dollar-for-dollar with property tax reductions.

         One of the best ways to  control  taxes  in  the  future  is  to
    pass  the Taxpayers  Rights  Amendment  to  the  Iowa  Constitution.
    This   measure will ve citizens greater control over their  taxes  and
    will  force  government to live   within its means.

Iowa General Assembly

Index: Senate Journal (76th General Assembly: Session 1)

© 1995 Cornell College and League of Women Voters of Iowa

Comments? sjourn@legis.iowa.gov.

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