Iowa Legislature takes aim, lands in Kansas

Well, Toto, our fearless leaders did it; we are in Kansas! Our legislative leaders forced another worthless session on Iowa.

They opened with a revenue shortfall that 'necessitated” the de-appropriating of funds. That issue 'solved,” they moved on to education.

Iowans heard legislators moan and groan about the exodus of Iowa's young people to other states, and how the remaining pool lacked education to do white or blue collar work. In the same breath, legislators removed funding from schools, colleges and universities.

Next was the income tax cut. The majority party retreated to a back room to exclude Democrats and Iowans from giving any input. It evolved from a 'working people” tax cut to a 'high end and business” tax cut. The cuts further deprive our revenue-starved state of funds for necessary programs - starvation that began when promises made by the Branstad-Reynolds administration of quality job creation and increased revenue from the business property tax cut never happened.

Lawmakers also dived into social and religious issues, feeling the need to restrict and/or remove my religious liberities in favor of their own. A law was passed that will be ruled unconstitutional. My tax dollars, against my will, will be used by the state to defend this ill-conceived law.

Finally, the Legislature found no time to fix the Medicaid privitazation fiasco.

The majority party owns all of this, and should be made to answer for it. Good luck finding them.

Dave Ameling

Ossian