Flat tax isn’t right for middle and low income Iowans

In Response to Mr. Kurt’s April 4 letter to the editor, the governor’s flat tax rate is nothing to celebrate. This is a gift to the wealthiest in Iowa and skews an already regressive tax system. Almost half of the tax cut will go to the richest 5 percent of taxpayers, who will see an average cut of over $8,000. The richest 1 percent will get over $23,000. This isn’t a tax cut for lower income Iowans and hardworking middle class Iowans; it will skew our tax system further in favor of the wealthy. Those at the bottom will pay a larger share of their income in taxes than the top 1 percent of earners. What’s at stake? Funding for child care, clean water, mental health services, and of course our schools which are already chronically underfunded.

A fair tax plan would ensure that tax cuts go to the middle class and the wealthy pay what they owe. We need a tax code that puts money back into the pockets of hardworking Iowans — the 3.9 percent flat tax is not that plan.

Unfortunately since they are in the minority, Democrats’ voices were ignored. Iowa Democrats proposed to double the state's earned income tax credit and to increase the child and dependent care tax credit for people making less than $90,000 per year. Had the Democrats’ plan been enacted, it would be a tax cut for low- and middle-income Iowans, not a gift to the wealthiest Iowans.

Barb Ferris

Hiawatha