The Bush Tax – Iowa
Bush has shifted health costs to states and forced states to pay for unfunded mandates for homeland security, election reform, and No Child Left Behind. As a result, states and communities have had no choice but to raise taxes and cut services. That's the Bush Tax.
The people of Iowa are paying more in taxes and it's George W. Bush's fault.
Here are some examples of the Bush Tax in Iowa:
· Property Taxes Soar: Property taxes went up 13.3% from 2001 to 2003, amounting to an additional $360 million paid by all Iowa taxpayers. This overall increase is equivalent to $313 per household.*
· College Costs Skyrocket: Tuition and fees at public universities and colleges in Iowa have increased over the last three years. Tuition and fees at Iowa State University for resident students have gone up 31.22% from $3,132 in 2000-01 to $4,110 in 2003-04, or an increase of $978 per student. Tuition and fees at the University of Iowa for resident students have increased 68.41% from $3,204 in 2000-01 to $5,396 in 2004-05, or an increase of $2,192 per student. [Iowa State University Tuition and Mandatory Fees Fact Book 2002-2003; The University of Iowa Registrars Office, Tuition and Fees and Related Information]
· Student Aid Cut: In 2003, Iowa eliminated its $2.75 million work-study budget, affecting 3,500 students. Additionally, 15,000 students saw their Iowa Tuition Grants cut in 2003-2004 by up to $220. [Des Moines Register website, “2002 Legislature – Budget Cuts”]
· Des Moines Basic Service Cuts: In 2003, the city of Des Moines cut power to 4,200 streetlights, tripled parking meter fines, and delayed hiring 14 firefighters and 9 police officers. In 2002, the city's crime-prevention police unit was eliminated and funding for snowplows was cut. The city also raised ambulance charges, admission at swimming pools, and nearly 50 other fees and fines. [Des Moines Register, “D.M. Budget Gap in 04 Could Top $4.5 million,” 12/5/03]
· Cuts to Needy Families: $3.7 million was cut from Temporary Assistance to Needy Families in 2002. [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, “States are Cutting TANF and Child Care Programs,” 6/3/03]
Here are some stories from Iowans who filled out the Bush Tax Survey about what they're paying in Bush Tax:
D.L. in Clear Lake: “I live on disability income and as such received no income tax cut. All I got was the increased taxes that resulted from the Bush give away. With two children in college next year the Bush Tax will cost me $2,500.”
A.S. in Marshalltown: I work for the city of Marshalltown. Because of the trickle down of less tax money to city governments I, like most all of the Marshalltown City employees, have had my wages frozen. Our scheduled $.50 cent per hour raise has been put off for one year. The Bush tax cost my family $1040 this year alone with no hope in sight!
J.H. in Des Moines: Classroom sizes in the school district my son will start kindergarten in next year have increased and much-needed teaching staff have been let go or not replaced.
B.R. in Fairfield: Tuition increases, huge health insurance premium increases with less actual coverage, loss of employment for us for over a year now. Potentially he (Bush) has bankrupted us by long-term loss of employment and skyrocketing health care costs.
*The aggregate property tax increase was calculated by subtracting total property taxes revenue collected in 2001 from total property tax revenue in 2003, using data from the Iowa Dept. of Revenue Annual Reports for 2001 and 2003. The per-household figure was calculated by dividing the aggregate increase by the number of households in the state (1,149,276, according to the U.S. Census.) These figures include residential and commercial property tax paid both by households and businesses. The overall change reflects changes in both property tax rates and property valuation.
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