A bill that would increase Iowa’s sales tax by a fraction — to raise money for water quality projects — has cleared its first hurdle in the Iowa Senate, but it faces strong opposition that’s likely to sink the proposal. Senator David Johnson, a Republican from Ocheyedan, has become a champion of the tax hike, to fill a state fund Iowa voters created in 2010 for water quality initiatives.
*
Johnson and about two dozen other people spoke in favor of the plan during a statehouse hearing Thursday afternoon. Mark Ackelson, a former president of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, says water quality problems are “urgent” and it’s time for legislators to act.
*
Two state senators signed off on the proposed tax hike. That makes the bill eligible for debate in a senate committee. Earlier this week House REPUBLICANS advanced their own plan. They want to shift state taxes being used for other purposes toward water quality projects. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal says it does not appear ANY plan has enough support in the senate.
*