Legislative Column From Rep. Chris Hagenow: Property-Tax Reform Top Priority

Property Tax Reform
This week, the House Ways and Means Committee began work on much needed property tax reform. Year after year, escalating property taxes are hurting Iowans’ pocketbooks, and without legislative action, even larger increases on the horizon.

What's your position on the “Protect IP Act” or SOPA/PIPA, which would give the Justice Department the power to completely wall off websites and companies who unknowingly publish minimal amounts of pirated material? Tell us in comments.

Over the last 10 years, school rates have increased 60 percent, county rates have increased 64 percent and city rates have gone up 74 percent. While over the same time period, Iowans’ personal income has only increased by 46 percent. 

If we do nothing, the hardworking taxpayers of Iowa are staring down the barrel of a $2.3 billion property tax increase over the next 10 years, with the majority of that falling to homeowners. 

Overly burdensome commercial and industrial property taxes negatively impact Iowa’s economy and serve as an impediment to getting Iowans back to work.  Our uncompetitive and unpredictable property tax system places a burden on job creators and restricts the ability of businesses to expand, hire or relocate to Iowa. 

As the Legislature considers several different tax proposals, I am committed to relief that is provided across all tax classifications, including residential.   Furthermore, we must create a predictable system, so that taxpayers can plan on their future obligations. Finally, we need to make sure that our plan includes ways to limit future growth.

One interesting component of the most recent House Republican proposal is to have the state pick up a greater share of local school aid.  This reduction in how much local school districts need to levy would free up those funds for property tax relief. What remains to be determined is if this proposal would provide as much relief in our community as it does statewide.

Iowa’s current property tax system is incredibly complicated, and unfortunately so are any solutions. It is going to take a lot of work by all interested parties to find an equitable solution.

The bottom line is that just like all of us have tightened the family budget and learned to do less with more, so should all levels of government.  I welcome any ideas you might have on to help us craft meaningful property tax relief.

Condition of the Guard
In a joint session on Wednesday, the legislature was proud to welcome Major General Timothy Orr to the House Chamber to deliver his Condition of the Guard Address.

His address was filled with pride for our heroic National Guard troops. He began the address with great news: “…with the exception of about 90 Soldiers and Airmen who are currently mobilized as individual deployers, nearly all of our personnel were home for the holidays; and for the first time since 2001, I can report the Iowa National Guard does not have any units currently deployed overseas.” 

Iowa was well represented in the Middle East as Company B, of the 2-211th General Support Aviation Battalion, Task Force Red Bulls, the 132nd Fighter Wing and the 734th Agri-Business Development Team as well as many others fought long and hard in Afghanistan and elsewhere to defend our country. Company B was also responsible for bringing many of our troops home, 49,000 passengers.

Major General Orr also outlined the domestic missions they’ve been working on including flood response, the Counter Drug Task Force, and the Education Assistance Program. 
Read the full text of his Condition of the Guard Address here.   

SOPA/PIPA
This week I wrote letters for Sen. Charles Grassley, Sen. Tom Harkin and Rep. Leonard Boswell voicing my opposition to the federal “Protect IP Act” or SOPA/PIPA. My concern about these laws is based on the broad, unchecked power that this legislation would give to the Justice Department.

These laws would give the Justice Department the power to completely wall off websites and companies who unknowingly publish minimal amounts of pirated material. Under the proposed legislation, even a link made in comments to an article could be enough for the Justice Department to shut down a website.

Many major online companies including Google have joined the fight against this legislation, and have also provided easy ways to contact our Congressional delegation, if you also would also like to register your opinion. This is the Google link:  https://www.google.com/landing/takeaction/


Windsor Heights Chamber Forum
I have happy to announce my first legislative forum, being hosted by theWindsor Heights Chamber of Commerce.  It will be on Saturday, Jan. 27 from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the 3E Conference Center located at 953 73rd St. in Windsor Heights.

Please come out and join us! Invited guests include all of the local legislators.  Rep. Peter Cownie and Sen. Pat Ward will be in attendance. 


Contact Me
As always, I look forward to hearing your comments and ideas.  Please feel free to contact me anytime!

Representative Chris Hagenow
State Capitol
East 9th and Grand Ave.
Des Moines, IA 50319
(515) 281-3221
www.chrishagenow.com
chris.hagenow@legis.state.ia.us