Surely, there will be no end to Iowa Republicans’ invincible Statehouse majority. Their electoral dominance is clear, their agenda will make Iowa a low-tax economic Mecca and Iowa Democrats are in disarray with seemingly few prospects for a comeback.
But maybe, future Iowans won’t appreciate 2024 GOP wisdom. Unthinkable, but possible.
Just in case the Red Dynasty is ever forced to abdicate the throne, its grand edifices must be protected. So, Republicans are pushing for a constitutional amendment requiring future Legislatures to muster a two-thirds vote in each chamber to raise the personal or corporate income tax.
House Joint Resolution 2006, which includes the amendment, was approved by the Iowa House 61-35. You’ll note “yes” votes did not add up to a two-thirds majority.
To be clear, the amendment must pass the Senate this year and both the House and Senate during the next two-year General Assembly, Then it’s subject to a statewide vote. Not exactly a slam dunk.
But if the amendment is added to the constitution, it will lock in tomorrow whatever income tax changes majority Republicans and Gov. Kim Reynolds make today. When they’re through flattening income tax rates or eliminating the income tax completely, future Iowans and their elected representatives will play hell trying to undo 2024’s tax decisions, even if there’s a darn good reason.
Never mind that I can’t recall a legislative vote in my years of covering and watching the Legislature that raised the income tax. It’s hard enough without junking up the constitution.
A second constitutional amendment under consideration would bar the Legislature from enacting any income tax rates that are not flat. So, it basically outlaws the progressive income tax, where wealthier earners pay a higher percentage of their income than low and middle-income Iowans. It’s a system that is so unfair to big Republican donors. We must help them.
Lawmakers would be free to raise the sales tax, which, as a percentage of income, hits low and middle-income Iowans hardest.
The ability of Republican tax-cutters to travel into the future and tie the hands of lawmakers who may be governing in an entirely different state is just one fun feature.
Consider the fact that, no matter the situation, it will take just 34 House members and 17 senators to block legislation undoing any income tax damage done by the current majority. So, in a General Assembly with 150 lawmakers total, 51 members will rule on income tax policy. A minority becomes the majority when it comes to taxes.
In our constitutional republic, run by democratically elected representatives, giving a minority that much power seems like a bad idea. Basically, “no votes” have more clout than “yes” votes.
But Republicans would like to lock in their agenda so future libs can cry more, I guess.
In 2022, Iowa voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment saying, "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
The amendment delivers orders to future Iowa courts to subject any gun regulation to the highest level of judicial review. If someday the state bans vaporizing laser guns, it’s going to need a compelling reason for doing so.
Lawmakers also pursued a constitutional amendment declaring the state constitution does not secure a right to abortion. Then the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe, and the last thing Republicans wanted was an up-or-down vote on abortion. So, they scrapped the amendment.
This tax limit isn’t even a new idea. In 1999, voters rejected an amendment requiring a 60% super majority to raise taxes and a second limiting spending. Now, the super majority is back.
Tell you what. I won’t get worked up about these constitution changes if Republicans also consider an amendment giving Iowans the power of petition and referendum.
Let’s allow Iowans to put measures on the ballot. Want legal abortion protected? Let’s vote on it. Want legalized recreational marijuana but can’t get it through our “Reefer Madness” Legislature? Let’s vote on it. A higher minimum wage? Clean up our waters? Address mental health system failures? Let’s put all of it on the ballot.
Add this to your amendment, Republicans, and you can prove you’re not authoritarians who can’t stand the thought Iowa’s political winds might shift. Bristle at the left calling you enemies of democracy? Giving Iowans a powerful voice at the ballot would prove them wrong.
Do something right, before your invincibility runs out of juice.
(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com
www.thegazette.com
But maybe, future Iowans won’t appreciate 2024 GOP wisdom. Unthinkable, but possible.
Just in case the Red Dynasty is ever forced to abdicate the throne, its grand edifices must be protected. So, Republicans are pushing for a constitutional amendment requiring future Legislatures to muster a two-thirds vote in each chamber to raise the personal or corporate income tax.
House Joint Resolution 2006, which includes the amendment, was approved by the Iowa House 61-35. You’ll note “yes” votes did not add up to a two-thirds majority.
To be clear, the amendment must pass the Senate this year and both the House and Senate during the next two-year General Assembly, Then it’s subject to a statewide vote. Not exactly a slam dunk.
But if the amendment is added to the constitution, it will lock in tomorrow whatever income tax changes majority Republicans and Gov. Kim Reynolds make today. When they’re through flattening income tax rates or eliminating the income tax completely, future Iowans and their elected representatives will play hell trying to undo 2024’s tax decisions, even if there’s a darn good reason.
Never mind that I can’t recall a legislative vote in my years of covering and watching the Legislature that raised the income tax. It’s hard enough without junking up the constitution.
A second constitutional amendment under consideration would bar the Legislature from enacting any income tax rates that are not flat. So, it basically outlaws the progressive income tax, where wealthier earners pay a higher percentage of their income than low and middle-income Iowans. It’s a system that is so unfair to big Republican donors. We must help them.
Lawmakers would be free to raise the sales tax, which, as a percentage of income, hits low and middle-income Iowans hardest.
The ability of Republican tax-cutters to travel into the future and tie the hands of lawmakers who may be governing in an entirely different state is just one fun feature.
Consider the fact that, no matter the situation, it will take just 34 House members and 17 senators to block legislation undoing any income tax damage done by the current majority. So, in a General Assembly with 150 lawmakers total, 51 members will rule on income tax policy. A minority becomes the majority when it comes to taxes.
In our constitutional republic, run by democratically elected representatives, giving a minority that much power seems like a bad idea. Basically, “no votes” have more clout than “yes” votes.
But Republicans would like to lock in their agenda so future libs can cry more, I guess.
In 2022, Iowa voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment saying, "The right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed. The sovereign state of Iowa affirms and recognizes this right to be a fundamental individual right. Any and all restrictions of this right shall be subject to strict scrutiny.”
The amendment delivers orders to future Iowa courts to subject any gun regulation to the highest level of judicial review. If someday the state bans vaporizing laser guns, it’s going to need a compelling reason for doing so.
Lawmakers also pursued a constitutional amendment declaring the state constitution does not secure a right to abortion. Then the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe, and the last thing Republicans wanted was an up-or-down vote on abortion. So, they scrapped the amendment.
This tax limit isn’t even a new idea. In 1999, voters rejected an amendment requiring a 60% super majority to raise taxes and a second limiting spending. Now, the super majority is back.
Tell you what. I won’t get worked up about these constitution changes if Republicans also consider an amendment giving Iowans the power of petition and referendum.
Let’s allow Iowans to put measures on the ballot. Want legal abortion protected? Let’s vote on it. Want legalized recreational marijuana but can’t get it through our “Reefer Madness” Legislature? Let’s vote on it. A higher minimum wage? Clean up our waters? Address mental health system failures? Let’s put all of it on the ballot.
Add this to your amendment, Republicans, and you can prove you’re not authoritarians who can’t stand the thought Iowa’s political winds might shift. Bristle at the left calling you enemies of democracy? Giving Iowans a powerful voice at the ballot would prove them wrong.
Do something right, before your invincibility runs out of juice.
(319) 398-8262; todd.dorman@thegazette.com
Opinion: Iowa Republicans want to control the future
Republicans are pushing for a constitutional amendment requiring future Legislatures to muster a two-thirds vote in each chamber to raise income taxes
www.thegazette.com
