Town hall to focus on water and land funding bill

CEDAR RAPIDS - The Iowa Water and Land Legacy Coalition wants to hear from Iowans regarding a bill in the state House pertaining to funding for the Iowa Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

The organization hosts a town hall at noon Friday at the Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE, as well as three other locations across the state. Residents from Eastern Iowa and local legislators are encouraged to attend.

The bill, House File 597 proposed by Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton, includes plans for a one-eighth-of-a-cent increase to the state sales tax for the next three years. The trust fund has sat empty since it was created in 2010 with the parameters that the money going into the fund must be equal to an increase in the state sales tax. The sales tax has not increased since the trust fund was created.

If passed, the bill would raise the state sales tax from 6 percent to 6.125 percent in 2018.

Among other things, the bill would also create an excise tax for water service and require that at least 60 percent of the trust fund money gathered each year support research-based water quality initiatives.

The bill has gained support from both parties as sales tax increases are paired with income tax rate decreases, starting with those in the lowest income brackets.

Tim Albrecht, who handles communication for the Iowa Water and Land Legacy Coalition, said the bill provides a solution to funding water and land quality initiatives for both Democrats and Republicans.

Albrecht said he especially hopes state lawmakers turn out for the town hall sessions.

Aside from Cedar Rapids, sessions are set to take place at Pizza Ranch restaurants in Ottumwa and Sergeant Bluff and the Davenport Public Library. All town halls start at noon.

l Comments: (319) 368-8516; makayla.tendall@thegazette.com

If you go

What

: Iowa Water and Land Legacy Coalition Town Hall

When

: Noon Friday

Where

: Cedar Rapids Public Library, 450 Fifth Ave. SE