Statement on Legislation that Eliminates Federal

Sen. McKinley: Eliminating federal deductibility and forcing Iowans to pay a tax on a tax will harm Iowa families and businesses and seriously stifle job creation

 

DES MOINES, IA – Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) issued the following statement today in response to tonight’s public hearing where hundreds of Iowans turned out to voice their opposition to legislation that would gut federal deductibility and forces Iowa families, businesses and employers to pay a tax on a tax:

 

“I am adamantly opposed to forcing Iowa families and employers to pay a tax on a tax through the elimination of federal deductibility. With 80,000 Iowans out of work, this legislation does nothing to create jobs and instead could seriously kill job creation as it pushes more tax burden on to the shoulders of Iowa’s small businesses which creates two-thirds of all new jobs in this state. This tax on a tax legislation only seeks to have government continue to pick winners and losers while further crippling our business climate which is already second to last in the nation.”

 

LATHAM ACCEPTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ‘SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE’ AWARD

LATHAM ACCEPTS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ‘SPIRIT OF ENTERPRISE’ AWARD
AWARD GOES TO REPRESENTATIVES WHO DEFEND FREE ENTERPRISE

Washington, Mar 30 – Iowa Congressman Tom Latham accepted an award last week from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for his defense of free enterprise on key votes in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue presented Congressman Latham with the Spirit of Enterprise Award on March 26 and and praised Latham for his leadership on business issues throughout 2008.

“Last year in particular, Congress had to make some tough choices, and Rep. Latham clearly demonstrated his commitment to the economy and keeping America competitive in an ever-changing global market,” Donohue said. “The Chamber is proud to present Rep. Latham with the Sprit of Enterprise Award on behalf of businesses large and small.”

The U.S. Chamber identified 18 key votes in the House during the second session of the 110th Congress and presented awards to representatives who supported free enterprise in at least 70 percent of those votes. Congressman Latham’s score was 89 percent in 2008, and he has amassed a cumulative score of 97 percent during his career in Congress.

This year marks the 14th time Congressman Latham has been awarded the Spirit of Enterprise. He’s received the award each year he’s been in Congress.

“Small businesses produce the bulk of our country’s economic activity, providing jobs and benefits for millions of Americans,” Congressman Latham said. “We have to strengthen our business climate and encourage our entrepreneurs to innovate and grow if we want to chart a path back to prosperity.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the largest business federation in the world, represents more than 3 million businesses of every size across the country.

VANDER PLAATS STATEMENT ON DEMOCRATS’ PLAN TO ELIMINATE FEDERAL DEDUCTIBILITY FROM STATE TAX RETURNS

SIOUX CITY – Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob Vander Plaats issued the following statement today in response to legislative Democrats’ proposal to eliminate Iowans’ right and ability to deduct federal taxes from their state tax returns:

“The Democrats’ plan to get rid of federal deductibility has nothing to do with reform and everything to do with generating more revenue to fuel their overspending. They talk about it being ‘revenue neutral’ but the fact remains that Iowans aren’t going to be treated equally. Instead, the Democrats are intent on picking winners and losers – and, in the end, Iowa is going to be a loser because we’re going to see more and more successful individuals, businesses and industries leave our state.

“Their own description of the plan tells a familiar story. They talk about ‘redistributing’ wealth from the rich to the middle-income and low-income but what happens time and time again is that they set out to soak the rich and a lot of taxpayers who aren’t so rich also get soaked, too. Their claim of a middle-class tax cut just over the horizon is one more political promise bound to be broken.

“This plan is nothing more than an attempt to grab more of Iowans’ money at the time they can least afford it. It’s wrong and we need a governor who will stand up against it to stop this madness.”

Polk County GOP: ITR and RPI Calling Republicans to the Capitol

Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa, released this Call to Action on Friday, March 27th: “Democrats release Plan to Eliminate Federal Deductibility to Force YOU to Pay a Tax on a Tax: Elimination of Federal Deductibility looks like it is on the Democrats’ “Must Do” List before Session Ends. This could be Death Blow to our Economy!”

We stand with Chairman Strawn in condemning this action by the Democratic leadership. Iowa must not join the handful of states that deny or limit Federal Tax deductibility. We dare not risk driving more individuals and small business owners out of our state.

Iowans for Tax Relief and the Republican Party of Iowa are calling all Republicans to the State Capitol in Des Moines Tuesday evening, March 31st, at 6:30 P.M. in the Capitol Cafeteria, to attend the public hearing on this issue to be held at 7:30 PM in the House Chamber.

We encourage Polk County Republicans to attend the public hearing Tuesday night and speak out against the spending and added taxation plans of the 2009 Iowa General Assembly. Let’s make sure Polk County leads the fight against any effort to raise taxes in Iowa. Please join me at the Capitol!

If you cannot make it to the Capitol, please email and call your representatives. Your voice does make a difference! You can look up their contact information at http://www.taxrelief.org/legislators.

On Tuesday night you can also listen to the hearing online at http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Audio/Audio.html, and click house audio.

Sincerely, John L Bloom

Chairman, Polk County Republican Central Committee
Click Here

Release: Eliminating federal deductibility will cripple Iowa economy

STRAWN: DEMOCRAT PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE
FEDERAL DEDUCTIBILITY WILL CRIPPLE IOWA ECONOMY

Des Moines, IA. – Iowa GOP State Chairman Matt Strawn today warned of impending economic peril if Democrat plans to eliminate federal deductibility become law. Strawn said, “This isn’t partisan rhetoric, it is simple fact. Elimination of federal deductibility is a huge tax increase on those very Iowans who start businesses and create jobs – the very people on whom our state’s economic recovery rests.

“Majority Democrats share Governor Culver’s basic inability to understand who actually creates jobs in this state. Jobs are created by entrepreneurs, investors, and those willing to risk their own capital. The Democrats’ plan to eliminate federal deductibility will raise state income taxes by nearly 7% on tens of thousands of these very people.”

King Receives Spirit of Enterprise Award

Congressman Recognized for Support of Key Business Issues, Creation of Good-Paying Jobs

Congressman Steve King today received the prestigious Spirit of Enterprise Award from the United States Chamber of Commerce for his support of pro-growth legislation during the second session of the 110th Congress.

“Last year in particular, Congress had to make some tough choices, and Representative King clearly demonstrated his commitment to the economy and keeping America competitive in an ever-changing global market,” said Thomas J. Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber. “The Chamber is proud to present Representative King with the Spirit of Enterprise Award on behalf of businesses large and small.”

“It is my duty to support those who create jobs and contribute to the economic growth of America,”"I will continue to work towards the creation of more good-paying jobs and better opportunities for all Americans during the 111th Congress.”

Eligibility for the award is based on how members of Congress vote on key business issues, which the Chamber outlines in its yearly publication How They Voted. These designated “key votes” are recorded floor votes on issues established as priorities on which the Chamber communicates its position prior to the vote. Those members of Congress who support the Chamber’s position on at least 70% of those votes receive the Spirit of Enterprise Award. King said.

According to the scorecard, Representative King maintained a 83% rating with the Chamber this year and collectively holds a 90% ranking during his tenure in Congress.

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses of every size, sector, and region.

Democrat Proposal Guts Federal Deductibility, Significantly Raise Taxes on Iowans and Punishes Job Creators

Senate Republicans say it is wrong to make Iowans pay a tax on a tax and wrong to kill the creation of new jobs when over 80,000 Iowans are unemployed

DES MOINES, IA – Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) today called on Governor Culver and legislative Democrats to abandon their plans to gut federal deductibility which would significantly raise taxes on Iowans who are already financially hurting and punish individuals and employers who create two-thirds of all new jobs in the state. If legislative Democrats pass legislation that guts federal deductibility and Governor Culver signs it, Iowans will be forced to pay a tax on a tax.

“There are over 80,000 Iowans who are unemployed and Iowans are financially hurting but the governor and legislative Democrats only seem interested in piling on more financial burden by significantly raising taxes to pay for their uncontrolled spending addictions,” said McKinley. “As a result of spending the last two years growing government by 21 percent and spending nearly a billion new dollars, the governor and legislative Democrats are now scrambling to find any new ways to redistribute money from hardworking Iowans to fill their hundreds of millions in self-inflicted deficits.”

While Democrats attempt to mask this as a tax reduction, this proposal would actually result in a tax increase for many Iowa families, employers, businesses, manufacturers and entrepreneurs. Only two months ago, Governor Culver pledged in his Condition of the State Address that he would not raise taxes.

Employers and small businesses could instead better utilize that money to employ more Iowans and families could better utilize those resources to stimulate local economies all over state through the purchase of necessities like groceries, gasoline and prescription drugs. Iowa seniors would have less to put into securing their retirement and parents would have less to invest in their children’s education.

Contrary to the governor and legislative Democrats’ agenda, Senate Republicans have offered many substantial solutions to cut Iowa’s budget and have offered an ambitious jobs creation initiative that will create sustainable jobs in Iowa while also cutting taxes. Republicans will continue to work every day to reduce taxes on Iowa families and employers and make every effort to reduce the size and scope of government.

“Iowans deserve the truth and the truth is that this is a tax on a tax,” said McKinley. “I believe this proposal makes it crystal clear to Iowans that legislative Democrats and the governor are very good at creating massive budget holes but have no idea how to create policies that will encourage job creation and business investment for the middle-class in Iowa.”

Democrats to Eliminate Iowans’ Largest Tax Deduction

(DES MOINES)-To feed their insatiable appetite for spending and increased government, Democrats today rolled out their plan to eliminate Iowans’ largest tax deduction, federal deductibility.”At a time when Republicans are standing for truth and transparency, liberals are trying to trick Iowans into believing they’re going to get a tax cut,” said House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha). “In reality, this is a major tax increase.”

Because of the Democrats’ plan, beginning in 2010 when the federal tax cuts expire, middle class Iowans see will more than a $100 jump in their state tax bills.

Democrats claim that eliminating federal deductibility will allow Iowans to pay their bills, pay for college tuition and cover day-to-day expenses. According to their own math, however, it will result in only an extra 17 cents a day for the average Iowan.

“17 cents a day will do nothing for middle class Iowans or small businesses who are feeling the pain of this recession,” said Paulsen. “Republicans stand ready to cut taxes for hard-working Iowans by far more than 17 cents a day.”

Release: Culver spends first, thinks later in $750 million debt proposal

Strawn: If you liked the “Bridge to Nowhere”, you’ll love Culver’s “Tower of Invincibility”

Des Moines, IA – Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn today commented on multiple news reports that Governor Culver’s administration is defending the potential inclusion of an $8 to $10 million “Tower of Invincibility” at Maharishi Vedic City in the Governor’s $750 million debt proposal.

Noting that the Governor is continuing a tour of the state to promote his so-called “shovel-ready” debt plan, Chairman Strawn said, “Somebody needs to take the shovel out of Governor Culver’s hands because he keeps digging Iowans a deeper financial hole. This boondoggle is Exhibit A that the spend-first, think-later culture of Des Moines is out of control.”

“It is bad enough that the Governor vastly overinflated the amount of temporary jobs created by his debt scheme, and now we learn of plans to squander taxpayer money on bronze statutes and renovating golf course bars,” said Strawn

Strawn noted that with 80,000 Iowans out of work and looking for creative leadership from their representatives in Des Moines, Governor Culver and legislative Democrats seem intent on the failed approaches of the past.
“Iowa Republicans understand government does not create jobs – risk-taking entrepreneurs and small business owners create jobs and grow our economy. Rather than burden Iowa businesses, entrepreneurs, and taxpayers with more debt, high interest payments, and bogus make-work projects, let us instead empower our Iowa small business owners so they can create the sustainable jobs to put Iowans back to work permanently,” continued Strawn.
Strawn noted that Iowa Republicans are offering bold solutions at the Capitol to empower Iowans, not government, to secure and create jobs in the Hawkeye State. Strawn specifically referred to GOP proposals providing immediate and substantial job creation tax credits, constitutionally protecting Iowa’s Right-to-Work law, and begin a fundamental debate on Iowa’s hostile tax and regulatory environment

New Revenue Numbers another Sad Reminder of Culver’s Failed Leadership

Des Moines, IA – Today, the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) released new revenue numbers that spell more trouble for Governor Culver and his Democratic majority in the Iowa Legislature. For the current fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 the REC estimates state revenue will fall $129.7 million short of previous expectations and for fiscal year 2010 that starts on July 1, 2009 the REC estimates state revenue will fall $269.9 million short of expectations.

Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa said, “This an unmitigated disaster and the responsibility rests squarely on the shoulders of Governor Culver and his Democratic legislative majority. Instead of making the tough decisions required of our state’s chief executive, the Governor signed a budget last spring that put off any difficult spending decisions until after the 2008 elections.

“Don’t let these politicians fool you. Culver and his cronies will suggest this is a problem resulting from last year’s floods and the current recession. When explaining how Iowa got in this fiscal mess, instead of pointing fingers at disasters that had yet to happen and the national economy, perhaps our Governor should first look in the mirror.

“For years, State Auditor David Vaudt has been sounding the alarm about the bad budgeting practices of state government, about the use of one-time funding streams to pay for long-term programs, and accurately predicted the terrible problems in which we find ourselves today.

“Here’s the simple truth: Democrats in Iowa, led by Governor Culver, have spent us into this problem and the only long-term solution to fixing this state’s fiscal mess is through the election of a Republican governor and legislature,” concluded Strawn.