Push for Tax Credit May Halt Property Tax Bill

A showdown is looming on taxes at the Statehouse that could jeopardize property tax reform, one of the cornerstones of Gov. Terry Branstad’s legislative agenda.

A coalition of activists joined with Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, on Monday to bolster their support for a major increase in the state’s earned-income tax credit for about 210,000 working families who earn up to about $45,000 annually.

Bolkcom, who chairs the Senate’s tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, warned there will be no tax deal between Senate Democrats and the Republican governor if an increase in tax credits is excluded.   Read More