State tax transparency Web site a good idea

Iowa Republican legislators would like to bring more oversight and transparency to the people of Iowa concerning where and how tax dollars are being spent. This proposal is a great idea because we need more transparency without all of the drama we usually get from state legislators.

This bill would create a Web site, a searchable online map of all the tax rates within the state of Iowa and an individual tax rate calculator. This would give the people a one-stop shop rather than having to go through four or more agencies to find out how our money is being spent. This database would be free.

Oklahoma, which is comparable in size to Iowa, has estimated the cost of the transparency Web site at about $40,000. Even with tough economic times, I still feel this would benefit our state and help reduce fraud and abuse of tax dollars.

Jeremy Ellis

Belle Plaine