Chronicle Editorial

By: 
Chronicle Staff

Pinching pennies for natural resources
 
A new legislative proposal has the potential to generate more revenue for much-needed conservation projects that improve the environment and create more wildlife habitat throughout Iowa.
     A three-member Senate subcommittee last week unanimously supported a bill that would raise the state’s 6 percent sales tax by 3/8 of a penny. The minor increase would generate between $120-$180 million in additional revenue for natural resources and conservation projects statewide, which some lawmakers hope would create new outdoor recreation attractions in both rural counties and urban areas alike.
     The bill faces an uphill battle in Des Moines – it’s technically a tax increase, and legislators never want one of those on their résumés. However, Iowans already supported the proposal with their ballots five years ago. Voters overwhelmingly approved the creation of the constitutionally-protected Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, but no money has been put into it yet. The minor sales tax increase would simply generate revenue for something that 63 percent of voters already approved.
     The proposal seems particularly timely with the recent buzz over water quality and problematic pollution affecting much of the state. New money generated could fund projects that create natural grass barriers to filter out nutrient runoff and improve water quality, which is certainly a worthwhile investment for residents across the state. The benefits won’t be immediate, but the sales tax increase would lead to more conservation projects that improve the overall quality of life in rural areas like ours.
     The sales tax boost will probably be a two-year process. The increase has bipartisan support in the Senate, but leadership in the House seemed hesitant to support it. Lawmakers just passed a 10-cent increase in the state’s gas tax and some might be a little weary about approving another increase. Nonetheless, voters already expressed their opinion on this matter five years ago. Iowa’s sales tax hasn’t increased since 1992, and 3/8 of a penny isn’t very much no matter how you cut it.
     Generating revenue for the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund is a sensible investment that will benefit future generations of Iowans in the years to come. Our state’s natural resources are worth every penny, or in this case, every 3/8 of one.
 
Shining a light on accountability
 
     Last week was Sunshine Week in Iowa, an annual celebration of so-called "Sunshine Laws" that create statutes for open government at the state, county and city levels.
     Many newspapers and other media outlets use this week to promote policies that create more avenues for government accountability. Iowa has decent open government laws, but as many people have pointed out, they're constantly threatened by new rules that reduce public access and governmental responsibility. Sunshine Week allows us to reflect on those policies and look at ways to improve transparency at all levels of government.
     The majority of public officials aren't seedy individuals fat on corruption and backdoor deals. That's a testament to many factors, and Sunshine Laws certainly play a role. These policies create an added layer of protection that safeguard tax dollars and communities against mismanagement and other wrongdoing. Government officials may not enjoy jumping through some of the hoops created by these policies, but they're for the greater good. Citizens have a right to know and Sunshine Laws help make that knowledge available.

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