GOP Cool Toward State Control of School Tax

By Rod Boshart, The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Apr. 18–Sen. Ron Wieck, R-Sioux City, leader of the 20-member GOP minority, said House File 2663 is drawing minimal support from his members because they are concerned proceeds from the proposed legislative change potentially could get “scooped” for other purposes.

At issue is a measure that would make the school infrastructure local option (SILO) tax, approved by voters in all 99 counties, a statewide tax until 2029 — effectively raising the Iowa sales tax from 5 percent to 6 percent.

The bill cleared the House after representatives turned down an effort to constitutionally protect the proceeds designed to provide more financial equity among Iowa’s 364 school districts and provide direct property tax replacement.

Wieck said GOP senators are concerned there’s no constitutional protection in this area, but lawmakers have started the process of amending the Constitution “for birds and fish” that would earmark a share of any future state sales tax increase for natural resources.

“You can’t use the argument that you don’t want to get into the Constitution when you were willing to do it on fish and foul,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, reiterated his position Thursday that the SILO bill will not be brought up for Senate debate if at least eight Republicans don’t provide bi partisan help in passing the bill. Currently, he said, three Republican senators are on board.

“Without bipartisan support, we are not going to be able to get that done this session,” said Gronstal, who noted that 17 of the 59 House votes to approve the measure were Republican.

“The revenues that come with this system flow significantly into Republican districts,” he added. “If they’re against it, Democrats aren’t going to carry the water on something that dramatically benefits rural Iowa and, in particular, Republican districts.” Wieck said minority Republicans are “definitely not just happy to let it die,” but they want discussions to take place that will take into account some of their concerns rather that the “one-sided conversations” that have marked the majority party’s approach this year.

Contact the writer: (515) 243-7220 or rod.boshart@gazcomm.com

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