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Op-Ed: New poll affirms that Iowa
supports Gov. Reynolds and conservative policies
[The Center Square] John Hendrickson
The Des Moines Register released a new poll that shows
a 53 percent job approval rating for Gov. Kim Reynolds. This is up from
51 percent from the last poll. Gov. Reynolds approval rating is even
higher, 57 percent, when asked how she has handled Iowa’s economy. The
poll affirms that Iowa supports the conservative pro-growth policy
agenda that Gov. Reynolds is advancing in Iowa. Gov. Reynolds and the
Republican-led legislature are leading Iowa in a conservative direction
with fiscal conservatism and defending traditional values. Gov. Reynolds
is demonstrating that conservative policies work. |
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 Gov. Reynolds has been confronted with numerous challenges from
the COVID-19 pandemic to storms that have brought devastation to Iowa. Through
each of these challenges, she has shown remarkable leadership and courage, even
under severe, and often unfair, criticism. It should be noted that Gov. Reynolds
has also been helped with conservative legislative leaders. The most notable is
Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, who is a conservative champion and
understands the importance of pro-growth fiscal policies and defending
traditional values.
Iowa’s economy has recovered from the pandemic triggered downturn because of
Gov. Reynolds and the Republican legislature following a policy of fiscal
conservatism. Prior to the pandemic, Iowa’s economy was in strong condition.
Even heading into the pandemic, Iowa’s fiscal house was in strong order thanks
to prudent budgeting. As the 2021 legislative session began, Iowa had a budget
surplus, and the reserves were full.
Currently, Iowa is expected to have over a $500 million surplus. In addition,
there is plenty of money available for a rainy day, including a combined $817.9
million in the Cash Reserve fund and the Economic Emergency fund and $316.4
million in the Taxpayer Relief fund.
By following fiscal conservatism, Iowa’s economy was not only prepared for the
economic emergency, but it allowed the state to recover quickly. Gov. Reynolds
and the Republican legislature have not only kept spending in check, but they
have enacted pro-growth tax reforms.
In 2018, the legislature passed a comprehensive tax reform measure that began to
lower both the individual and corporate income tax rates. The legislation also
broadened the sales tax base, which helped lead to better-than-expected sales
tax revenues during the pandemic. Further, in 2019, the legislature started to
address Iowa’s high property taxes by passing an accountability and transparency
measure.
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Iowa was one of 11 states that enacted tax reform
this year. A crucial component of the 2021 tax reform law, besides
phasing out the inheritance tax, was eliminating the income tax
triggers that were put in place in 2018 to lower the income tax. Now
that the triggers are to be eliminated in 2023, the top rate will
fall to 6.5 percent, and the individual income tax brackets will
condense from nine to four brackets with a bottom rate of 4.4
percent. In 2022, the Iowa legislature will have an
opportunity to build on previous tax reform. Priority should be
placed on lowering the individual and corporate income tax and
addressing high property taxes. When signing the 2021 tax reform
bill into law, Gov. Reynolds stated: “We are not done yet. Next
year, I’ll be proposing additional income tax cuts as we continue to
make Iowa the most attractive place in America to open a business,
raise a family, and start a career.”
Gov. Reynolds has even stated that the ultimate goal is to eliminate
Iowa’s income tax. Gov. Reynolds understands that Iowa is in
competition with other states for both jobs and people. Iowa cannot
become complacent as other states lower tax rates. The 2022
legislative session will be an opportunity for Gov. Reynolds and the
Republican legislature to enact pro-growth tax reforms that lowers
income tax rates. In addition, an opportunity exists to address
Iowa’s high property taxes.
Conservative policies are working in Iowa. Whether it is the
economy, education, or defending traditional values, Gov. Reynolds
is a national conservative leader.
John Hendrickson is policy director of Tax Education Foundation of
Iowa, a public policy think tank
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