Letter: Funding education is not a priority

Now, we see the results of our governor's gratuitous actions for state businesses by cutting their property taxes. Late last year he convinced us that we had the funds and could afford to cut business property taxes. Well, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that when total state income goes down, if we are to balance the budget, some spending must be cut.

So what gets cut? The poor, the halt and the lame are the first targets for Republicans. (e.g. mental hospitals, assisted living home inspectors). Next, of course, comes education spending because the advocating voices are spread so far and wide and have so little political power. Why is it a surprise that our local school boards are cutting back? And, now we see that we must raise tuition at our three universities.

Our governor is business oriented because they contribute to his party. He has fooled us into believing that we could afford cutting business taxes and still carry on with our social obligations. When will we learn? Kids' education used to be a priority in Iowa. This governor has proved that is no longer the case.

Henry T. Madden

Iowa City