Reynolds’ agenda is not really ‘Iowa nice’

“Iowa nice” - we’ve all heard it. One of Iowa’s strengths is caring for others. When a community experiences a natural disaster, people come to help. If someone in our community is diagnosed with a serious disease, we hold a benefit. In Iowa we look out for neighbors near and far. In her nationally televised speech, Gov. Kim Reynolds even mentioned Iowa nice. But as she spoke about “what conservative leadership means,” the message was anything but Iowa nice.

Prior to her speech, Reynolds signed a 3.9 percent flat tax bill. She didn’t share that the budget surplus in Iowa got a boost from Democrat-sponsored federal aid. She also didn’t share that tax cuts will give more money to the wealthiest Iowans while our neighbors who are living paycheck to paycheck will see little positive impact. The richest 1 percent gets over $23,000, the richest 5 percent of taxpayers will see an average cut of over $8,000, and the rest of us, about $500.

If you are well off, you will benefit. She is looking out for those who already are doing well and not hard-working Iowans and those struggling to make ends meet. This isn’t leadership, this is looking out for those who generously support her campaign. This isn’t Iowa nice. She is not concerned about our neighbors in need. We need a governor who values all neighbors, not just the well-to-do.

Dave Assmus

Dubuque