Went through this in Texas in 1969. The State funded 78percent of State Universities operating costs. My degree cost me $1500. Low paying jobs were enough to cover Tuition and Books. My Father’s Engineering Degree from Ames was funded by the GI Bill. Mother, in her dying days told me she could not have afforded to send me where my Father attended. The Country was on a wave of prosperity due to the thousands of educated people who fueled that prosperity.
Texas now funds 18 percent of of a State University operating costs cost. This has made a wave of prosperity for the Banksters who reap the interest off of Student Loans. We buy our science and technology overseas.
A tax bill needs to be presented to tax payers as to what the money pays for. A Politician should be demonstrating what a great deal he is getting for his constituents by enumerating the benefits. Alas, the Public no longer has the time or comprehension for such a discussion. “Low-Good”. “High-Bad”. Chita wantem Sandwich! My how the savings have caused us to fall.
Readers are being asked to "do the math" in computing the adverse impact of iowa tax increases. This is unfortunate for younger readers who may not know how to compute said impact -- mute testimony to the declining quality of iowa's education system. Also to the lack of care shown by the iowa state legislature over the past decade.
I agree with Dave -one of your readers. But I do want to echo your point that Reynolds could have requested repeal of the tax breaks to the wealthiest of Iowans
Ed, great work, but, I disagree with your example. Low and middle-income folks will pay more in taxes in order to keep their low-level of healthcare, mean while the IOWA GOP will keep looking to reduce the tax burden on the very wealthy. Iowa will continue to see LESS revenue go into the coffers--BUT, still cut taxes for the wealthy. Wake-up folks--things are only going to get worst.
I understand your point, Dave. I can only speak for myself. The larger point, which I hope I made clear, is the middle-class is now paying the price for a big tax cut for the rich that has left the state in a precarious financial condition.
Ed I appreciate your thoughts and balanced approach. This situation again points out the dangers of unlimited money in politics. Citizens United is causing a major divide of the “halfs” and half nots and the wealthiest will continue to contribute to the Republican Party because it’s in their best personal interest to do so. What is clear is lower taxes on the rich is not the economic boom it was promised to be. As a matter of fact Iowa is still losing the battle in terms of keeping people old and college graduates in the state. We have sacrificed our status in education of being first in the US for competing with states with lower or no income tax and it’s failing. My thoughts are we were better off when education was a priority and that includes K thru 12 and higher education. I also believe that we were better off when the state was “purple” and not as extremist as it is today. If the Republicans want to create incentives to help grow the tax base and the state’s population perhaps they should be promoting incentives for college grads to stay in the state, provide discounted mortgage rates for first time buyers, build more affordable housing, provide childcare for free and perhaps put a cap on how much health insurance companies can raise premiums for health insurance in a given year. My final thought is perhaps we should be considering why people would move to Iowa or stay here and I think the answer unfortunately is the state has no compelling reason for anyone to consider Iowa other than those that already live here or have business or job reasons to stay. If you were starting a new company you need to distinguish yourself by promoting three ideas. The first is no one in the market is offering what you are and it’s better than any other product of service. It has to be measured and proven and just hyperbole. The last issue is that it actually means something to your customer. My ideas might not matter but the state of Iowa needs to take a different approach than just rewarding those that contribute to getting people reelected.
Went through this in Texas in 1969. The State funded 78percent of State Universities operating costs. My degree cost me $1500. Low paying jobs were enough to cover Tuition and Books. My Father’s Engineering Degree from Ames was funded by the GI Bill. Mother, in her dying days told me she could not have afforded to send me where my Father attended. The Country was on a wave of prosperity due to the thousands of educated people who fueled that prosperity.
Texas now funds 18 percent of of a State University operating costs cost. This has made a wave of prosperity for the Banksters who reap the interest off of Student Loans. We buy our science and technology overseas.
A tax bill needs to be presented to tax payers as to what the money pays for. A Politician should be demonstrating what a great deal he is getting for his constituents by enumerating the benefits. Alas, the Public no longer has the time or comprehension for such a discussion. “Low-Good”. “High-Bad”. Chita wantem Sandwich! My how the savings have caused us to fall.
Readers are being asked to "do the math" in computing the adverse impact of iowa tax increases. This is unfortunate for younger readers who may not know how to compute said impact -- mute testimony to the declining quality of iowa's education system. Also to the lack of care shown by the iowa state legislature over the past decade.
I agree with Dave -one of your readers. But I do want to echo your point that Reynolds could have requested repeal of the tax breaks to the wealthiest of Iowans
Ed, great work, but, I disagree with your example. Low and middle-income folks will pay more in taxes in order to keep their low-level of healthcare, mean while the IOWA GOP will keep looking to reduce the tax burden on the very wealthy. Iowa will continue to see LESS revenue go into the coffers--BUT, still cut taxes for the wealthy. Wake-up folks--things are only going to get worst.
I understand your point, Dave. I can only speak for myself. The larger point, which I hope I made clear, is the middle-class is now paying the price for a big tax cut for the rich that has left the state in a precarious financial condition.
Ed I appreciate your thoughts and balanced approach. This situation again points out the dangers of unlimited money in politics. Citizens United is causing a major divide of the “halfs” and half nots and the wealthiest will continue to contribute to the Republican Party because it’s in their best personal interest to do so. What is clear is lower taxes on the rich is not the economic boom it was promised to be. As a matter of fact Iowa is still losing the battle in terms of keeping people old and college graduates in the state. We have sacrificed our status in education of being first in the US for competing with states with lower or no income tax and it’s failing. My thoughts are we were better off when education was a priority and that includes K thru 12 and higher education. I also believe that we were better off when the state was “purple” and not as extremist as it is today. If the Republicans want to create incentives to help grow the tax base and the state’s population perhaps they should be promoting incentives for college grads to stay in the state, provide discounted mortgage rates for first time buyers, build more affordable housing, provide childcare for free and perhaps put a cap on how much health insurance companies can raise premiums for health insurance in a given year. My final thought is perhaps we should be considering why people would move to Iowa or stay here and I think the answer unfortunately is the state has no compelling reason for anyone to consider Iowa other than those that already live here or have business or job reasons to stay. If you were starting a new company you need to distinguish yourself by promoting three ideas. The first is no one in the market is offering what you are and it’s better than any other product of service. It has to be measured and proven and just hyperbole. The last issue is that it actually means something to your customer. My ideas might not matter but the state of Iowa needs to take a different approach than just rewarding those that contribute to getting people reelected.