Hawkeye Labor Council latest group to support sales tax

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Hawkeye Labor Council here on Monday announced its support to extend the city's 1-percent local-option sales tax for 20 years.

Voters go to the polls May 3 to vote on the tax extension, the revenue from which will be used to help pay for a flood protection system, to fix streets and to provide property-tax relief.

Shelley Parbs, the president of the labor council, said the extension is needed to provide flood protection for homes and businesses on both sides of the Cedar River. An Army Corps of Engineers plan, which is part of the city's more comprehensive plan, calls for flood protection on only a portion of the east side of the river.

“Recognizing the need to protect homes, properties and businesses on both sides of the Cedar River, our members have voted unanimously to support this funding mechanism for flood protection,” Parbs said. “Organized Labor in Cedar Rapids is committed to rebuilding our great city and helping to protect our neighbors.”

She said Hawkeye Labor Council members will be working with the grass-roots organization, Protect & Invest, East & West, to further the passing of this referendum.