(Des Moines)– State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan says for the most part he liked what the Governor had to say in today’s (Tues.) speech, including his proposal to revamp the state’s property tax system…(click here for comment.) “When he talked about property taxes, he wanted to make any changes in our property tax system permanent without shifting from one class to another, so that would cut across commercial, residential and agricultural. He wants to make it permanent and equal for all classes. We just don’t know what the details are yet.”
When it comes to the Governor’s proposal to revamp education, Johnson said it’s important it not be done on the backs of property tax payers. He says that would fly in the face of any efforts to reform the property tax system…(click here for comment.) “But I know one thing, I need a clear idea of how much state money we can commit, and this would be long term. And whether there’s going to be an increase in property taxes to fund it at any point. Because we’re talking, yeah, we’re talking on the one hand reforming the property tax system but then for schools or any local governments, you know, is there going to be that backing from the state in case there’s a reduction in revenue, or to pay the cost of any of these initiatives.”
While Johnson indicated he was pleased for the most with what the Governor had to say, he’s concerned over what was NOT in the speech, which left out anything to do with natural resources. Johnson says there’s one issue in particular coming up this session that’s of critical importance to the Iowa Great Lakes…(click here for comment.) “Representative Smith and I are filing bills to extend the higher registration fees for boats, if you remember that from several years ago I worked with Representative Mike May so that we could have additional money for water safety programs including the Lake Patrol and controlling invasive species. That legislation is set to expire, but our bills will extend it, both of those, for another 10 years.”
Johnson is confident the measure will receive the needed measure of support for passage.
