It appears there may be an attempt in the Iowa Senate to try to raise the state sales tax by a fraction, to provide a “steady stream” of money for water quality initiatives. Democratic Senator Joe Bolkcom (BOWL-kum) of Iowa City says Iowa faces an “economic disaster” if the state’s “original infrastructure” of soil and water isn’t protected.
Senator David Johnson, a Republican from Ocheyedan (oh-CHEE-dun), agrees. Johnson sees an opportunity to raise the state sales tax by three-eights of a percent — IF that is coupled with some sort of income tax cut to answer those opposed to raising taxes.
Johnson says he wants to follow through after Iowa voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2010 that set up a state water quality fund, to be filled when the state’s sales tax gets hiked.
