Governor's 10 Percent Budget Cut Hits Iowa Property Taxpayers Hard
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Oct. 9, 2009 -Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) members are disappointed with the Governor's decision to make a 10 percent across-the-board cut for the fiscal year 2010 budget because members know it equals a $251 million property tax hike. "Although the Governor said he will not burden Iowans with a tax hike to balance the budget, that's exactly what he's doing," said IFBF President Craig Lang.
"A $251 million property tax hike now looms over the head of hardworking Iowans and there is no relief in sight," said Lang.
Farm Bureau members will ask Governor Culver and state leaders to redesign the state's budgeting process during next year's legislative session. "We have to make the necessary changes to avoid the budget disruptions we are seeing today. The state's budget default process of leaning on property taxpayers has to stop. Homeowners, farmers and main street businesses simply can't afford a tax increase and a property tax increase is a tax increase," said Lang.
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