Republican proposal: Iowans under 30 pay no income taxes

[Blue Gardener]

Iowans under age 30 would pay no state income taxes under an economic development plan unveiled today by Senate Republicans.

"More than half of our college graduates leave the state after graduation. We want to reverse Iowa's brain drain and make our state a more attractive place for our young people," said Senate Republican Co-President Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny.

Eliminating the tax for that age group would reduce state revenue by an estimated $200 million a year, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.
http://www.dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050125/NEWS10/50125002/1001

So even if they make twice what I do they would pay no income taxes? What a load of crap.

[slackmaster]

1. Sounds like a blatant attempt to buy votes

n/t

[TwentyFive]

4. But it's a good idea! Democrats need to do something like this.

People hate income taxes and Democrats need to shed this image of being tax collectors. The GOP have used tax issues to win elections since Reagan won in 1980.

It's time the democrats got innovative with tax policy. Maybe the income tax should be replaced with a 50% inheritance tax or some kind of wealth tax.

[slackmaster]

7. Robbing Peter to pay Paul?

The state needs money to keep the schools and infrastructure running. If you cut someone's taxes you have to either raise someone else's or cut spending. For example, Texas has no income tax but (surprise!) Texans are getting hit with ridiculously high property taxes. I know someone who decided he could not afford a $500,000 home in Texas because the property tax would have been $28,000 per year.

Inheritance taxes are very unpopular. A state that tried to impose one would see a mass exodus of people. In fact people hate all taxes.

[TwentyFive]

10. I agree, but I think Democrats need to think creatively on tax issues.

We've been losing elections since Carter because we are seen as the 'tax and spend' party. We both know this is a lie - but it's the kind of rep that gets people to vote for your opponent.

I agree that people under 30 should pay less income tax. Think about it - if you can keep them in the state until age 30, then they will probably become lifelong residents. Also, people in their 20's spend the most....they have to buy everything to set up a home, etc....so they will pay more in sales taxes.

I personally think there should be some better way of collecting revenue from people who are most able to afford it.

[Strelnikov_]

11. There Is. It's Called A Progressive Income Tax

With tax breaks for first time home buyers, education expenses, etc.

I carried my weight tax-wise in my 20's. Due to depressed economic conditions in the late 70's - early 80's, then a second round in the late 80's - early 90's, I was not able to "set up a home" until my late 30's. Bad luck for me, I guess.

And on the whole 'tax and spend' thing, maybe we just need to reframe the issue, like calling GOP policies 'spend and tax your children'.

[Blue Gardener]

8. There are a lot of old people in Iowa

They would never buy into this idea. Everybody needs to pay their fair share. We can't afford to lose $200 million. Just like every other state, the budget is very tight.

[Speck Tater]

2. Everyone over 30 would leave

and they'd get no tax money at all.

[Bluzmann57]

3. Boy nothing like buying votes

And us old folks will have to pay more to make up for it. I don't think this will go too far, but I'm contacting my senator and representatives just in case.

[forgethell]

5. That has GOT to be

the worst idea I have EVER heard from a politician. And I've heard plenty.

GRAY POWER!!

:hippie:

[ynksnewyork2]

6. Cool

[Strelnikov_]

9. Government Sanctioned Age Discrimination

Is the labor supply so short that we need to resort to measures like this?

Also, how will this effect wages? Won't employers just lower wages overall, so the net pay a worker in this category receives is not much more than before.

My feeling is that there is a balance as things stand now. A college graduate leaves, and when the graduate returns years later to raise a family, the State gains a trained journey level worker in return.

[zbdent]

12. Try selling that to the 30 to "just before retirement age" crowd

especially since the "younger crowd" is the one leaving - leaving the older crowd to pay all the bills.

Point out to the truly "Left Behind" crowd that their taxes are sure to go up, to pay for the public education of the younger ones' kids . . .

[ISUGRADIA]

13. Yeah, high state taxes are making youth leave the state

not the fact that there is a shortage of high paying jobs. GOP logic there. Half the state workers make $10 or less an hour. That is the real problem.

[MARALE]

14. How about a tax break for when you move here

You may not get a break until you've been here for a year or so, but that would be a good incentive to get people back. We don't loose college kids because of taxes, they leave for bigger cities because they want out of Iowa. We need to support small farmers more, many leave because they can not make it in farming with the big corporations.

[Rambis]

15. the time table to move to Europe just got shorter

this effin place is up for grabs and these stupid republican assclowns are gonna bleed the government until it can't function!

[cyberswede]

16. Why should they stay after age 30, then?

I don't see how this guarantees that the brightest young minds will stay in Iowa.

So, instead of getting their education here and then leaving, they would get their education AND their earliest job experience here, and then leave. So, we would invest in these "kids" (by way of job training) only to lose them anyway.

Bad Idea Jeans (tm)

[CatholicEdHead]

17. People under 30

do not vote at the same rate as those over 30. Expect many Republicans to be kicked out of office if they really push this.

[Hardrada]

18. I thought that Boddicker guy retired

From poltics. He was usually their source of ideas like this. I guess they have no lack of brilliant geniuses.

[pstans]

19. If it was about money, young people would be flocking to IA

If it was about money, young people would be flocking to Iowa since it is cheaper to buy a home, car insurance is cheaper, etc. I doubt an extra $600-$100 bucks is going to make a difference. Young people move out of the state for oppurtunities, not money. Iowa needs to promote these oppurtunites, such as entertainment, community events, etc. and that will attract more young people. In one of the DM Register articles, it said who cares about the Income tax when there are no jobs to make an income.

Iowa also needs to support education. Iowa is known for a strong educational system, but that support has been lacking and the education system will be lacking soon. With that gone, what will Iowa have?

I am 24 and live and raised in Iowa, but when I am done with school will most likely move to KC/Minneapolis/Milwaukee.