Chairman offers few clues to staff exit at Iowans for Tax Relief

A weekly update from Iowans for Tax Relief April 29 offered few clues to the sudden departure of the Muscatine-based organization's key employees.

Ed Failor Jr., president for the past two years and the face of the organization at the Capitol and in political circles, resigned earlier this week to pursue new opportunities, he said.

His departure was followed by those of vice president and communications chief Katie Koberg, lobbyist Mary Earnhardt, political director Samantha Kampman and development director, Eric Branstad, son of Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.

Asked if he could shed any light on the situation, Gov. Branstad said Thursday: “I don't. I can't.”

Speculation about the exit of the key personnel has swirled around the Iowa Capitol where ITR has been a major player, especially on tax issues, since its organization in 1978 by David Stanley of Muscatine, a former state legislator and businessman. He referred to the departures, but did little to clear up the mystery in the weekly ITR Watchdog newsletter.

“Iowans for Tax Relief is working hard to win more victories for all Iowa taxpayers in the closing weeks of this 2011 legislative session,” wrote Stanley, chairman of ITR. “We are going full speed ahead, not distracted by recent resignations of some employees or by fantastic speculations of our opponents and news media.”

Stanley did not immediately respond to inquiries about the changes at ITR, which claims 55,000 members. A call to him was transferred to a general voice mail box.

Over its 32-year history, he said, the organization has stayed on course through staff changes and “many ups and downs.

“ITR is respected and effective because we persevere, tell the truth, keep our word, and are consistent and dependable,” Stanley said. “Our principles and goals remain the same: limited government; lower taxes, spending, and debt; economic growth with more good jobs; and opportunity for all people. All this will not change.”

He did announce one change: Donald Racheter of the conservative Public Policy Institute in Mount Pleasant will take a leave of absence to be the new ITR lobbyist at the Statehouse.

Racheter, according to a person answering the phone at the institute Friday was at a conference and would not be available until sometime next week.

It's unusual for interest groups to change lobbyists in the final days of a legislative session. According to the legislative website www.legis.iowa.gov, ITR has not been represented by a lobbyist since April 27.

ITR does, however, have two contract lobbyists at the Capitol.

Several tax-related issues, including commercial and industrial property tax relief measures, remain unresolved.

ITR's leadership team and volunteers will step up to fill the void until “we find the right person for the right job,” according to Stanley.