Flat tax is going to pass in both Iowa House and Senate

[Gus is dead]

Certainly including state government and legislation. Iowa’s congressional delegation does nothing to get Medicare/medicAid $$ distributed here..Kim’s privatization of MedicAud has shown no improvement in services or any monetary savings..she has refused fir 5 years to release numbers and taken away any power of oversight from the State’s Auditor to verify her claims. Meanwhile rural and small Tywin Uowa continue to lose services. Areas that have population and jobs do well in these areas, comparatively. I understand things are hard all over… the function of effective government is to ease these burdens and not exasperate them.

I dont think this law does what you think it does. But good talking point.

Reynolds signs law to limit Iowa state auditor's powers

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Thursday that restricts the Iowa state auditor’s access to certain state information.

www.iowapublicradio.org

"The law bars the auditor from accessing certain private information, including medical and student records, unless it’s needed to investigate alleged or suspected embezzlement or theft, to comply with generally accepted government accounting standards, or to comply with other state or federal regulations."

Source:

Reynolds signs law to limit Iowa state auditor's powers

Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Thursday that restricts the Iowa state auditor’s access to certain state information.

www.iowapublicradio.org

"Senate File 478, which passed the Iowa Senate in late April, will prevent the state auditor from accessing a number of records, including:

• Iowan's income tax returns
• Criminal files from police
• Personal information of students
• Hospital or medical records
• Peace officers' investigative reports"

Source:

Gov. Kim Reynolds signs bill limiting state auditor's power

State Auditor Rob Sand called the law "the worst pro-corruption bill in Iowa history".

www.weareiowa.com

FIFY:
Rob Sand believes this is the worst 'we no longer get inappropriate open access to your private information' bill in Iowa history.

 

[Gus is dead]

We pay taxes to support public services.

I have zero problem paying my share.

Others apparently are more selfish.

How old are you may I ask?

 

[Gus is dead]

No Gus… the assertion is, despite your statement, folks are not moving to Iowa in any appreciable numbers. Iowa is population stagnate…and has been for decades!
Iowa has problems with polluted water, rivers, bad bridges, declining access to healthcare and list manufacturing jobs…so zIowa’s answer is to cut taxes! What solution does cutting taxes provide? You need to INVEST money to make money at times.

Invest your own damn money then. Do not 'invest' mine for me. 'Invest" is just liberal claptrap for tax and spend.

You an old old school liberal. Simple. Just say it. You believe the government knows how to help us better than we do.

I do not.

 

[joelbc1]

Kim has NEVER released the numbers she promised Iowans over 5 years ago showing how mow much “privatization” of MedicAid has saved Iowans. Probably because “privatization” has not reduced expenses except for where it has reduced services. Now the old infrastructure of Medicaid has been scattered to the wind and to make Medicaid efficient as it was before reorganization, would make the program s cost prohibitive.

 

[joelbc1]

Invest your own damn money then. Do not 'invest' mine for me. 'Invest" is just liberal claptrap for tax and spend.

You an old old school liberal. Simple. Just say it. You believe the government knows how to help us better than we do.

I do not.

Then, for starters, invest my tax money in public schools which are regulated, tested abs overseen by public boards. It’s not right that my tax money will go to schools that I have no input or control over and no way to tell if the education they deliver is permanent in today’s world.

 

[MitchLL]

How old are you may I ask?

I'm retired.

Why does it matter?

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Audit every state agency. I say this knowing it will make more work for me.

 

[MitchLL]

Trying to prevent the Auditor from doing his authorized duty has every aspect of hiding something.

Be interesting to know if Mississippi North has ever had access to spending/budgets denied?

I'd guess not.

Of course, if Mary Moismon was still in office...

 

[Gus is dead]

Then, for starters, invest my tax money in public schools which are regulated, tested abs overseen by public boards. It’s not right that my tax money will go to schools that I have no input or control over and no way to tell if the education they deliver is permanent in today’s world.

I have debated this topic ad nauseum. You can do a search on my opinions as they are lengthy and numerous.

Summary: We disagree. Private schools outperform public ones by nearly every measure. My public dollars go to lots of things I don't use, supervise, agree with or live near.

Get over it. The voters voted in a Republican legislature and a Republican governor. You are Democrat. Suck it up and vote in 2024 and hope for your candidate wins for the first time since 2007. Yeah that's right. You haven't won the governorship in 17 years. For good reason.

 

[Gus is dead]

I'm retired.

Why does it matter?

Because you are past your high earning years. And you are old so of course you want more services, and more money, from everyone else that pays tax in Iowa that is still earning a living.

 

[joelbc1]

Because you are past your high earning years. And you are old so of course you want more services, and more money, from everyone else that pays tax in Iowa that is still earning a living.

Probably ought to be taxing all us old folks who are using the services you are oaying for then, right? Or do you really support us freeloaders ?

 

[gohawks50]

Private schools outperform public ones by nearly every measure. My public dollars go to lots of things I don't use, supervise, agree with or live near.

By what measure? Private schools aren't required to educate every student that applies, they aren't held to the same standards, they don't have to do standardized testing. What makes you think they outperform Iowa public schools, do you have some data to link?

 

[Jimmy McGill]

Private schools don't have the same measurement tests. It's a fact, Jack. Don't need to be coy, Roy

 

[MitchLL]

Because you are past your high earning years. And you are old so of course you want more services, and more money, from everyone else that pays tax in Iowa that is still earning a living.

We make more in retirement than we were making in our working years thanks to some pretty healthy investment gains when Dems have occupied the WH.
Oh, and btw...fvck you and your condescending comments. You're a goddamn asshole in the first degree.
This will be my last post to you as you just made the "ignore" list.

 

[gohawks50]

Private schools don't have the same measurement tests. It's a fact, Jack. Don't need to coy, Roy

You should have added "get off the bus, Gus!"

 

[Gus is dead]

Private schools don't have the same measurement tests. It's a fact, Jack. Don't need to be coy, Roy

I agree. And have publicly stated on here I disagree with that aspect of this law. If you get public money you should have to live up to the public standards.

However, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. While I find certain portions of the law inadequate, I think overall the gains for Iowa children mitigates that.

As an aside, this doesn't apply to you generally but when I don't agree with a policy I say so. I do not follow the party line at times. Seems so many on the left here eat the Democrat talking points for breakfast and regurgitate them all day long. Its intellectually dishonest and lazy. And loathsome.

 

[Gus is dead]

You should have added "get off the bus, Gus!"

We dont need to discuss much...just drop off the key Lee and set yourself free.

Or that's how I remember it anyway

 

[gohawks50]

I agree. And have publicly stated on here I disagree with that aspect of this law. If you get public money you should have to live up to the public standards.

However, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. While I find certain portions of the law inadequate, I think overall the gains for Iowa children mitigates that.

As an aside, this doesn't apply to you generally but when I don't agree with a policy I say so. I do not follow the party line at times. Seems so many on the left here eat the Democrat talking points for breakfast and regurgitate them all day long. Its intellectually dishonest and lazy. And loathsome.

Okay, but you made a statement that private schools out preform public schools by nearly every measure. Can you back that up with data? Please link if you can.

 

[Gus is dead]

Okay, but you made a statement that private schools out preform public schools by nearly every measure. Can you back that up with data? Please link if you can.

On statewide ITBS (or whatever they call it lately) and on college admissions exams. Ill try to find the data on the latter. In regard to the former, the state used to publish the state test scores in the paper by school in my municipality but lately I haven't seen that data. But....parochial schools always were in the top tier every year. Regardless of age cohort.

I'll turn the tables on you. Can you prove to me my assertion is false?

 

[Jimmy McGill]

I agree. And have publicly stated on here I disagree with that aspect of this law. If you get public money you should have to live up to the public standards.

However, I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water. While I find certain portions of the law inadequate, I think overall the gains for Iowa children mitigates that.

As an aside, this doesn't apply to you generally but when I don't agree with a policy I say so. I do not follow the party line at times. Seems so many on the left here eat the Democrat talking points for breakfast and regurgitate them all day long. Its intellectually dishonest and lazy. And loathsome.

We are probably not as far a part as you might believe. I'm not an educator. But as a former school board member, I can see a lot of different view points.

Shouldn't be hard requiring private schools taking public funds to follow the same measurements/standards.

 

[Gus is dead]

Shouldn't be hard requiring private schools taking public funds to follow the same measurements/standards.

Agreed.

 

[gohawks50]

On statewide ITBS (or whatever they call it lately) and on college admissions exams. Ill try to find the data on the latter. In regard to the former, the state used to publish the state test scores in the paper by school in my municipality but lately I haven't seen that data. But....parochial schools always were in the top tier every year. Regardless of age cohort.

I'll turn the tables on you. Can you prove to me my assertion is false?

No, because there is no way to compare the two. One is required to educate and test everyone within their district's borders and the other can deny any student they choose enrollment. There is no way to compare systems that have very different student bodies and curriculum due to one being mandated to certain standards while the other is not.

 

[MitchLL]

Okay, but you made a statement that private schools out preform public schools by nearly every measure. Can you back that up with data? Please link if you can.

Does Dim Kim saying it while drinking a gallon of wine count?

 

[Gus is dead]

No, because there is no way to compare the two. One is required to educate and test everyone within their district's borders and the other can deny any student they choose enrollment. There is no way to compare systems that have very different student bodies and curriculum due to one being mandated to certain standards while the other is not.

I dont disagree. I think if the parochial schools want to continue to advertise their success, they better start testing similarly so they can measure directly.

I tried to find recent comparisons on Iowa HS ACT/SAT scores and the parochial ones aren't published on the same website as the state. I am not saying they aren't available, just not in a way to compare directly.

 

[Gus is dead]

Does Dim Kim saying it while drinking a gallon of wine count?

Old man, I hope you don't have any people in your family with ANY sort of drug or alcohol history because you are simply a dick about people who have. Or at least people you disagree with who have.

 

[pjhawk]

I'm retired.

Why does it matter?

It matters because sociopathic MAGA's just assume that everyone else is as greedy and selfish as they are. I'm in prime earning age range and I'm horrified by what the Iowa Republican party is doing here.

What's irritating and idiotic about the Gus type MAGA's is that the tax cuts that the Heritage Foundation pushes like flat income tax or elimination of income tax don't in the end help them at all, and potentially increases their actual tax load down the road. (I'm taking it as a given that Gus is at best a middle class schlub like the rest of us).

 

[Hawki97]

It matters because sociopathic MAGA's just assume that everyone else is as greedy and selfish as they are. I'm in prime earning age range and I'm horrified by what the Iowa Republican party is doing here.

I asked earlier today who you’d have a beer with on HORT. There’s a selfish prick in this thread I wouldn’t even hold the door open for at the bar. Terrible human.

 

[gohawks50]

I dont disagree. I think if the parochial schools want to continue to advertise their success, they better start testing similarly so they can measure directly.

I tried to find recent comparisons on Iowa HS ACT/SAT scores and the parochial ones aren't published on the same website as the state. I am not saying they aren't available, just not in a way to compare directly.

It wouldn't matter if private/parochial school scores were published, you can't compare two things that don't have the same requirements. Your statement "private schools out preform public schools by nearly every measure" is BS without both having the same requirements.

Private schools may get higher scores on the ACT/SAT's, but it doesn't prove they are better than public schools until they are held to the same standards.

 

[chonk]

What about the cap on SS wages? I suppose you support that as well

SS is a Ponzi scheme, which I suppose is why you support more money going into it. How about just making more money yourself so you don’t have to worry about the people that do.

 

[chonk]

Bingo! It makes no sense at all.
Flat taxes might work if the % is low enough and all income (no deductions) is taxable. . Maybe…

Sincere question - do you know how someone qualifies for a deduction? You clearly hate these deductions, but I’m wondering if you know how they work.

 

[joelbc1]

Sincere question - do you know how someone qualifies for a deduction? You clearly

Sincere question - do you know how someone qualifies for a deduction? You clearly hate these deductions, but I’m wondering if you know how they work.

I believe they are defined by the tax code. I don’t have to understand “how they work”…I just have to provide documentation justifying my use of them. My tax preparer might know, though. Do you want his name?

 

[Gus is dead]

It matters because sociopathic MAGA's just assume that everyone else is as greedy and selfish as they are. I'm in prime earning age range and I'm horrified by what the Iowa Republican party is doing here.

What's irritating and idiotic about the Gus type MAGA's is that the tax cuts that the Heritage Foundation pushes like flat income tax or elimination of income tax don't in the end help them at all, and potentially increases their actual tax load down the road. (I'm taking it as a given that Gus is at best a middle class schlub like the rest of us).

I dunno define middle class. I had to look it up but my wife and I fall in the top 5% of income earners based in a chart I just looked at.

 

[abby97]

Dude...this is FAR more complex than what your brain is telling you it is. People have tried to explain to you how the wealthy skirt paying taxes, the advantages they have in doing it, but you don't care. Hell, you think Donald Trump is one of those people who actually EARNED whatever wealth he has. The rules for people like him are vastly different than they are for the middle class. It sucks that you don't know this.

You still haven't answered my question, what do you believe the highest tax rate should be?

 

[Tom Paris]

You still haven't answered my question, what do you believe the highest tax rate should be?

I think you haven't answered 30-40 questions I have asked you so...

Again, this is far more complex that what you're going for here. What I do know is when Reagan slashed the corporate tax rate the middle class started struggling and the wealth gap exploded.

 

[Rifler]

I think you haven't answered 30-40 questions I have asked you so...

Again, this is far more complex that what you're going for here. What I do know is when Reagan slashed the corporate tax rate the middle class started struggling and the wealth gap exploded.

To be perfectly honest, the initial "explosion" of wealth gap occurred with the ushering in of the global economy under Clinton,.. Every administration since then has contributed to the problem...

 

[Tom Paris]

To be perfectly honest, the initial "explosion" of wealth gap occurred with the ushering in of the global economy under Clinton,.. Every administration since then has contributed to the problem...

Agree to disagree on this one.

 

[joelbc1]

To be perfectly honest, the initial "explosion" of wealth gap occurred with the ushering in of the global economy under Clinton,.. Every administration since then has contributed to the problem...

The Reagan Tax laws enabled this to occur. The creation of a special “capital gains rate@ was an important escape hatch for the rich and Uber wealthy to escape any meaning flu tax liabilities…plus the tax reform (in retrospect) should have regulated domestic manufacturers via tax penalties, for moving their industries to Mexico and Asia. It was Clinton who was able to get NAFTA passed into law but understand this was a Reagan/GOP wet dream ….Clinton supported NAFTA so he could pass his (higher) tax rates on the rich and get “pay-go” passed so the nation’s budget would get balanced…Ironically, Clinton’s higher taxes paved the way for his Administration’s robust economy…something conservatives said could never happen… and they have never forgiven Clinton for proving them wrong.

 

[FranklinHawk]

Wrong. Not the small town that my wife's family is from. No one is deciding to move away or not move to a town becuase of 'Polluted ground water for sure. Outdated sanitation facilities. Rural bridges and to a lesser extent roads'

Aside from my wifes small town, I am in small town Iowa as I type this. There is no problem with EMS, the local hospital or police services. At all. This town has excellent emergency care, family medicine services and city police and sheriff's deputies.

What you believe is causing the issue is not.

Its all the things I mentioned prior, and the loss of family farmers.

Others can chime in but loss of tax revenue and infrastructure losses on this basis either is an imagined problem on your behalf, in most cases, or not the problematic one in most all the rest.

I've lived in the same small, rural, Iowa town for 50 years including several on the council. Admittedly some of it is availability of online retail, aside from something like a Dollar General the only retail that tends to survive are small niche shops (antiques, boutiques, hair salon, etc.). The biggest issue isn't revenue loss, but rather lack of growth to keep up with increasing costs. We have fire, EMS, a medical clinic, police, a local school, a fairly large manufacturing plant, etc. What we don't have is population growth, and honestly lack of real estate to build on, to keep up. Trying to keep up with wages for City services while remaining at least competitive with surrounding larger towns/cities is a major challenge, everything costs exponentially more than it did 10 years ago, etc. There is some revenue increase simply due to home values rising, but it just isn't enough and difficult decisions need to be made during budget time.

 

[abby97]

I think you haven't answered 30-40 questions I have asked you so...

Again, this is far more complex that what you're going for here. What I do know is when Reagan slashed the corporate tax rate the middle class started struggling and the wealth gap exploded.

Again all hat and no cowboy. You have no answers but have no problem telling everyone else they are wrong.

 

[your_master5]

You know it. Go ahead. I'm sure you've used it in the last year with your MAGA buddies,, anyway.

Nope?