Tax cuts deplete funding for vital services

From his website we read: “As the 65th Governor of Mississippi, Tate Reeves continues to build on his strong record as a conservative leader who fights to guard taxpayers’ dollars.” That’s why he boastfully slashed $524 M from his state budget with a massive tax cut — just last April!

Jackson, Mississippi — the state capital and home to 150,000 people — is currently contending with a devastating water crisis. Reeves now cautions that “the city cannot produce enough water to fight fires, to reliably flush toilets, and to meet other critical needs.” He warns Jackson residents: “Do not drink the [untreated] water from the reservoir being pushed through the pipes. Be smart, protect yourself, protect your family.”

Perhaps there are higher missions for Reeves than “guarding” taxpayers’ dollars, such as protecting the health and safety of those taxpayers and their families by more responsibly managing his state’s finances and vital infrastructure.

The next time you hear Gov. Kim Reynolds boasting about serving as the sentry for your “hard earned money,” consider how effectively she’s managing Iowa’s funds. How is our soil, water, and air quality; the facilities and resources provided to our public school system; our social, police, and firefighting services; as well as our roads and bridges? They could be considerably better, right?

So, ignore Ronald Reagan’s “nine most terrifying words.” A capable and caring government really can help all Iowans — not just Reynolds’ donors and big-ag allies. That’s why we need the fresh leadership Diedre DeJear can provide. She merits your vote in November.

Ed Wasserman

Iowa City