Iowa Knows Better

HOUSE REPUBLICANS SWING ON TAXES, MISS CULVER, HIT BRANSTAD

January 18, 2010

Today, the House Republicans swung at Governor Culver trying to spread misinformation about his record to Iowans. But, their attack missed Culver and hit Taxin' Terry.
 
House Republicans say that Chet Culver raised taxes in order to balance the budget. Governor Culver never did that, but we know someone they might be familiar with who did: Taxin’ Terry.
 
Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan said, “The truth is that the House Republicans swung and took down Taxin’ Terry. That’s a pretty big ‘whoops’.”
 
“Every time Republicans attempt these partisan political attacks, they expose Governor Branstad’s record of raising taxes time and time again,” continued Kiernan. “As candidate Branstad attempts to launch his political comeback, he will be fighting against Governor Branstad’s record of raising sales, gas and business taxes on Iowans.”
 
Branstad's record as Governor shows that he turned to raising taxes on Iowans after his mismanagement of the state budget repeatedly caused deficits.
 
Here is just part of Branstad's record on raising taxes:

• Raised sales taxes twice. Branstad raised the sales tax by 25%. The first bill he signed as Governor raised the sales tax,(1) and he went back to the tax well over and over, increasing the sales tax 67% as Governor.(2)

• Raised the gas tax on Iowa drivers. Branstad wasn't afraid to add to the pain at the pump for Iowans. During his tenure, he raised the gasoline tax by a total of seven cents per gallon.(3)

• Raised taxes on Iowa’s businesses.4 Branstad Raised Business Taxes by $25 Million.  The Des Moines Register reported in July 1987 that, “Terry Branstad Monday signed into law a bill that increases income taxes by about $25 million for corporations and other businesses.”

“After this week, it’s clear that the bruising primary has already started, and Iowa Republicans should think before they nominate a candidate who has taken so many positions on the issues that not even the House Republican Caucus can keep him straight.”


Sources:

1. First Bill Branstad Ever Signed Increased Sales Tax to 4%.  [Des Moines Register, 2/8/83]
2. Raised sales taxes twice. Branstad raised the sales tax by 25%. [Iowa Department of Revenue, http://www.iowa.gov/tax/taxlaw/TaxHistory.html#Sales]
3. Branstad Raised Gas Tax by 7 Cents.  [Iowa Department of Revenue, http://www.iowa.gov/tax/taxlaw/TaxHistory.html#Sales]
4. [Des Moines Register, 7/7/87]