Iowa House advances citizen tax-vote measure

This is turning into an anti-taxation movement of sorts and bears watching.
DES MOINES (AP) - The Iowa House passed a resolution Friday that seeks a constitutional amendment requiring voter approval for future large tax increases. The resolution passed 48-40. A tax increase that surpasses 1 percent of the state's revenue in the previous year - currently about $44 million - would be subject to voter approval. Rep. Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, said eight states now require a taxpayer vote to raise taxes. "Whose money is it? Is it ours or is it the taxpayers' - that is, the citizens of Iowa?" he asked. "I think it is theirs. This amendment is simple confirmation of that principle." Opponents said the amendment is an invitation for the state to raise fees to pay for government priorities because of the limit on raising taxes. The amendment also counts state funding cuts to local governments - ones that lead to a property tax increase - as a tax increase.