We need leadership on state level

Again, our elected Iowa state government has made decisions without thinking realistically about our future.

In 2001, the United States had a very large budget surplus, we all got tax cuts, so that trickle-down money would stimulate the economy, create jobs and pay for costly wars. Have we forgotten what has happened?

In California there has been moratoria on raising property taxes, so towns are bankrupt, civil employees losing their pensions, deteriorating schools, etc.

The property tax relief and growth restrictions in the present Iowa bill (that became law) is a very bad idea. The property tax pays for our schools, well-trained police and firefighters, snow removal, landfill, maintenance of roads and streetlights. Also, our city and county parks and other recreational facilities are paid by property taxes. All this contributes to a quality of life that no single individual could otherwise buy. This is what makes it nice to live in Iowa, and contributes to attract businesses to Iowa.

Also by having a skilled workforce, from good educational institutions, we also attract businesses, and not just businesses that offer minimum pay for work.

Another issue - the state has a respectable surplus, but we still are not able to allocate funds toward passenger rail expansions. We need leadership on state level, which is willing to work for the future and not just for immediate gratification.

Birgit Brun Coffman

Iowa City