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Letter: Corporations on gravy train for Iowa R&D
Op-Ed · March 02, 2017


“What are you going to do about the Research Activity Credit?” is the first question we should ask Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, Kim Reynolds and every other member of the majority party which controls our Statehouse.




Whether you are a Republican, a Democrat, an Independent or a non-voter, it is beyond time to demand the demise of this scandalous corporate welfare program.

Every state has a tax break program of this type to “encourage” R & D by business entities. But in no other state is it so completely out of control.

In Iowa we have gone beyond simply giving a tax credit to a business and now we write them a check, a huge one: $231 million dollars between 2010 and 2016 . More specifically, $96.2 million to John Deere, $90.2 million to Rockwell Collins and $50.4 million to DuPont.

Having more than 80 of the largest corporations in Iowa on the public gravy train is the scandal of the Iowa Republican party.

When they achieved one party rule in Iowa they bought the Research Activity Credit fiasco.

This program does not just forego state income payments, it pays real tax dollars, our tax dollars,to corporate executives.

Now is the time to end this waste and abuse, One party rule by the Republicans has the reality of focused power.

Our voices can compel their attention.

End corporate welfare and fully fund our schools. The choice is under the complete control of the Iowa Republican Party.

The common good of all Iowa demands immediate action, even if it disadvantages the financial backbone of the Republican party.

For more information visit: www.iowafiscal.org.

Time to suck it up!

Clara Oleson

West Branch