I have mixed feelings about this issue. On one hand I can understand the need for roadway maintenance and the importance for a strong well built infrastructure. On the other hand I believe a tax hike will hinder economic recovery in these trying times.
The governor states, "is absolutely critical to our goal of creating 200,000 jobs and raising incomes by 25 percent and making Iowa a growing and competitive state." Well, I look at a gas tax increase as a tax on transportation businesses as well as retailers. This could reduce the number of transportation jobs as well as raise the price of goods on store shelves.
I do however agree with the governor that this could be viewed as a user fee, as the person buying fuel will most likely be using the roads that need to be repaired. Ultimately if I were voting in Iowa's Legislature I would be not be in favor of a gas tax hike for the time being.
I applaud this governor for his willingness to discuss the idea of raising taxes. I don't know if there ever is a perfect time to raise them, but there are projects out there that need to be funded. People who run for office and take a no tax pledge have no idea what it is like to manage a government that is broke. Plus many states have made billions of dollars in cuts already. Bring on the tax increase please. Below are Iowa's tax rates: Tax Rates: Gasoline:
July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003 - 20.1¢/gal July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004 - 20.3¢/gal July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005 - 20.5¢/gal July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006 - 20.7¢/gal July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007 - 21.0¢/gal July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008 - 20.7¢/gal Effective July 1, 2008 - 21.0¢/gal
I have mixed feelings about this issue. On one hand I can understand the need for roadway maintenance and the importance for a strong well built infrastructure. On the other hand I believe a tax hike will hinder economic recovery in these trying times.
ReplyDeleteThe governor states, "is absolutely critical to our goal of creating 200,000 jobs and raising incomes by 25 percent and making Iowa a growing and competitive state." Well, I look at a gas tax increase as a tax on transportation businesses as well as retailers. This could reduce the number of transportation jobs as well as raise the price of goods on store shelves.
I do however agree with the governor that this could be viewed as a user fee, as the person buying fuel will most likely be using the roads that need to be repaired. Ultimately if I were voting in Iowa's Legislature I would be not be in favor of a gas tax hike for the time being.
I applaud this governor for his willingness to discuss the idea of raising taxes. I don't know if there ever is a perfect time to raise them, but there are projects out there that need to be funded. People who run for office and take a no tax pledge have no idea what it is like to manage a government that is broke. Plus many states have made billions of dollars in cuts already. Bring on the tax increase please. Below are Iowa's tax rates:
ReplyDeleteTax Rates:
Gasoline:
July 1, 2002, through June 30, 2003 - 20.1¢/gal
July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2004 - 20.3¢/gal
July 1, 2004, through June 30, 2005 - 20.5¢/gal
July 1, 2005, through June 30, 2006 - 20.7¢/gal
July 1, 2006, through June 30, 2007 - 21.0¢/gal
July 1, 2007, through June 30, 2008 - 20.7¢/gal
Effective July 1, 2008 - 21.0¢/gal