Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Ann Klees

To the Editor:

You know, I’ve been thinking about this constitutional amendment on the November ballot - the one that requires a supermajority to pass any new tax reforms. The way I see it, the party in power wants to remain in power and affect our state’s financial well-being into the future. They also want to keep those corporate lobbying dollars coming to them.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t like this flat tax for income tax. It seems that the upper class is benefiting way more than the rest of us. Those of lower income pay the same percentage of their income as the wealthy - who could really afford to pay more.

As the State runs out of the “Rainy Day Funds” that are being used to “balance” the budget, it will need to increase dollars coming in to cover the necessary services the State is required to provide, such as education, health care, water quality, safety, transportation infrastructure, and all the jobs of the departments of the State. Where do you think that money is going to come from?

If income taxes cannot be adjusted, then other taxes will be raised. One such tax suggested is the sales tax, and another is the gas tax. Which group of Iowans will be most affected? Those who can least afford it. This is a tax on the middle class.

Iowa’s Constitution was not written to define its fiscal policy, but to protect its citizens’ rights. We need to return to a more equitable taxing system, where the wealthy pay their fair share, and this amendment will squash that possibility. I don’t believe the amendment is in the best interest of Iowans.

Ann Klees
Waterville