Farmers’ taxes helping all but not the farmers

The Gazette tells us that rural roads and bridges are dilapidated and farmers should pay a new tax. The Gazette needs news to sell.

Linn County Supervisor Lu Barron told us last fall that rural roads and bridges are in great shape thanks to her management. Barron needed votes for re-election.

The Iowa Chamber Alliance will soon be telling the Iowa Legislature that rural folks don't deserve their share of road use tax moneys. The Chamber Alliance needs to please special interest groups.

An online blogger gripes that farmers make big bucks but don't pay enough for roads. It's at this pinnacle of misconceptions that a farmer's voice should be heard.

Some rural roads and bridges have been modernized and are in great shape. Others are sometimes embargoed. Some roads have been improved but lack the maintenance necessary to protect the taxpayers' investment.

Property taxes on businesses should be used for improving infrastructure. However, only 10 percent of the $39,541 of property tax generated by my family farm operation in 2010 will find its way to secondary roads. Nearly all the rest will go to schools and social service programs that benefit the entire county.

Government, in its infinite lack of wisdom, expects farms to pay huge amounts of money for schools and social programs, but then cuts us off at the knees for the infrastructure needed to fulfill that obligation!

Curt Zingula

Fifth-generation farmer

Marion