BRANSTAD WANTS TO TAX IOWA’S HARD-WORKING FAMILIES
Candidate Terry Branstad wants a “consumptions tax-based economy” that will unfairly tax Iowa’s hard-working families disproportionately more than corporations and the rich."Here we go again. Branstad raised taxes on Iowa’s hard-working families before and now he wants to do it again. This should make every Iowan wonder what tax won't Branstad propose or raise" said Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan.
Governor Branstad told the Sioux City Journal Editorial board1,
“But, you need to know this. I had a long-range plan, and the long-range (tax) plan was… to have more of a thing on consumption.”That means increasing taxes like the sales tax or even creating new value-added taxes (VAT).
During Branstad’s 16-year administration, he raised the sales tax twice and even raised the gas tax five times.(2) Under Governor Branstad, Iowa’s tax system became less progressive.(3) And, this is his attempt to make it even less progressive.
"In 1982, then-candidate Branstad promised not to raise taxes, but the sales tax increase was the very first bill he signed into law as Governor. He’s only looking for another opportunity to tax Iowa’s hard-working families while letting corporations and the rich off easy.”
Sources:
- Sioux City Journal, 4/7/10.
- Department of Revenue. Accessed 4/8/10.
- Des Moines Register, January 3, 1999