Eggs and Issues Hits It’s Stride

Iowa Sen. Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa)

Oskaloosa, Iowa – Warm coffee and a bright sun were not the only things that greeted area residents as they worked their way into Smokey Row. Friends and neighbors were welcomed back by 3 local representatives of the Iowa State House.

State Sen. Tom Rielly (D-Oskaloosa) was the first to take the mic and address the over 100 people in attendance. Rielly started off by highlighting some issues he thought would be topics of discussion, including property taxes, saying that “I think we actually can get something done here”. Rielly did point out there are differences.

There are differences in what the two houses are looking for in property tax relief, but also between the two parties. Rielly said that the Senate proposal is “probably geared more towards small town, main street businesses.”

Also brought forward by Rielly was the issues of education reform and school budgets. “Allowable growth; we’re going to have to sit down and listen to our board members and superintendents.”

But in an earlier interview with Rep. Guy Vander Linden on Wednesday, “Allowable growth is done; 2%.”

Citing a meeting earlier in the week, Rielly brought up tax increment financing or TIF, “As a former Mayor, I think TIF has been a valuable tool. I think we’ve used it effectively; I see other communities that use it effectively.” “But there are some instances where it hasn’t been used effectively, and it’s been abused.”

TIF is used in a way to use future gains in taxes to help fund current improvements that are projected to actually create the said gains. TIF is often seen as a gimmick used for redevelopment.

Rielly touched upon a possible look at the red-light speed camera issue. Even smaller towns such as Montezuma are looking at the use of the devices as a way to regulate traffic. The opposite side of the debate says that it’s municipalities that are only looking to line their coffers at the drivers expense.

Iowa Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa)

“Well, as usual, Tom and I agree on more than we disagree on; primarily on the tone of the session. So far it’s been ever so collegial, as compared to last year,” was the opening remark by State Rep. Guy Vander Linden (R-Oskaloosa). He places the mood on having worked together the previous year and being more familiar with one another, and “what to expect”.

The area of property tax is also a point of concern and one that his opinion differs with Rielly on. Vander Linden pointed out that there are currently 3 bills “in play right now”. Two bills are currently in the House and another in the Senate.

“I agree with Tom that we want to help small business, that’s like mom and apple pie. Everybody wants to help small business, but we need to keep our eye on what the goal of reducing property tax is and that is to attract business to Iowa. To make us competitive with the surrounding states in terms of property tax, and in to do that, I think we ought to try to attract large business just like small business, so that’s why the house version is going to help all business.”

Iowa Sen. Paul McKinley (R-Chariton)

The final one to introduce themselves was State Sen.Paul McKinley  (R-Chariton) who, until this year, was part of the Republican leadership for the Senate, but stepped down in conjunction with his announced retirement.

“I’d like to give just a little twist on my perspective. I think looking at the larger picture, we’re facing an election this coming November perhaps more important than any we’ve seen in most of our lifetime. We have really huge issues both at a national level and at a state level.” McKinley opened in what is becoming a rally cry of the Republican part for this year. “Are we going to continue to grow government and spend ever more money to the point becomes a bigger part of every day life, or are we going to begin to downsize government and let people keep more of their own money and rely upon the private sector to create jobs so that we can grow our economy.”

“That’s one of the reasons that we in Iowa are talking about property tax reform and tax reform in general. We believe that we should have an even playing field. Reduce the cost of doing business so that we can compete, not just with other states but internationally,” was McKinley’s thoughts on why tax reform is needed.

Osky News visited with both Guy Vander Linden and Tom Rielly earlier in the week and talked with them about both the property tax and gas tax issues. You can read those related stories.

• Property Taxes Along With Education Still Primary Focus For Local Representatives
• Oskaloosa’s Tom Rielly Talks Taxes