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Kaufmann v Schwab: Candidates talk schools, jobs, taxes and same-sex marriage
News · October 26, 2012


The West Branch Times invited the House District 73 candidates, Republican Bobby Kaufmann of Wilton and Democrat Dick Schwab of Solon, to answer five questions about why voters should pick them in the Nov. 6 election. Each was limited to 400 words.
Bobby Kaufmann, Republican



1. What will you do to assure schools are able to meet the needs of school reform and keep adequate funding for District 73 schools?

My goal is for everyone to have access to quality education. That requires fully funding our K-12, Community Colleges, and Universities. Education is 66 percent of our state budget. It needs to be brought up early in the session and fully funded. It is also important that the decisions be made at the local level – by our teachers, administrators, school boards and parents. They know what’s best for our schools – not people in Des Moines or Washington DC.



2. Where do you stand on same-sex marriage and why?

I believe the voters should have an opportunity to vote on the definition of marriage. That being said, one of my best friends is gay and my aunt is a lesbian. I would ensure basic rights such as end-of-life decisions, benefits, power of attorney, etc. were protected. I am also a fierce opponent of bullying in any form. I also do not believe that politicizing the court is a good idea.



3. Landlords pay higher property taxes than residents do of their own home, so landlords pass on the cost to their tenants. Would you want to reform this part of commercial property tax? Why or why not?

I would make it a priority to reform the commercial property tax system as well as residential and agriculture property taxes. This question provides for a striking contrast between my opponent and I. In this very paper my opponent stated that he was pleased there were no changes to the commercial property tax system. There needs to be more equity in the taxation formula as it applies to apartments because it ends up hurting low-income Iowans. I think the current commercial property taxes hurt the small businesses in small town Iowa.



4. What is your position on Tax Increment Financing and how it should be used?

Tax Increment Financing, when used properly, can be used as an effective tool for attracting business. Recently there have been a number of abuses that need to be reined in. There needs to be sunsets, more transparency and strict guards against piracy. Situations like Coralville must end.



5. What would you do to encourage job growth?

It all starts with sound budgeting. When you have a predictable and stable financial atmosphere, businesses feel comfortable calling Iowa home. HD 73 is made up exclusively of small towns. Ensuring that entrepreneurs, small-businesses, and families feel confident to start-up, hire, and spend is what will make this economy boom again. My pre-condition for any bill in the legislature will be one thing – NOT what is good for any one political party but rather what will be best for the residents of HD 73. I am beholden to my constituents not to my party.



•••

Dick Schwab, Democrat

1. What will you do to assure schools are able to meet the needs of school reform and keep adequate funding for District 73 schools?

The short and simple answer is that I will fight hard for 4-percent allowable growth with a two-year commitment. I understand this will be difficult, but it is the essential first step. I would tie this to requirements for school districts to implement the school improvement initiatives advanced by the Legislature through the Iowa Department of Education.



2. Where do you stand on same-sex marriage and why?

The issue of same sex marriage is settled law, both from the standpoint of the Iowa Constitution, and the Iowa Supreme Court’s unanimous decision to uphold the constitution in Varnum v. Brien. House Republicans have proposed a constitutional amendment defining marriage, but the simple truth is that there is inadequate support in the legislature or among Iowans to amend the constitution in this manner.



3. Landlords pay higher property taxes than residents do of their own home, so landlords pass on the cost to their tenants. Would you want to reform this part of commercial property tax? Why or why not?

Property tax reform will be on our legislative agenda in 2013. I am eager to participate in the discussion on how to lower this tax; I will be a beneficiary of any reductions since I own several pieces of commercial property. I must, however, express my reservations on this issue. Property taxes are collected and used by local government. We must be careful to not to arbitrarily reduce their tax revenues without reducing their costs or giving them alternative sources. This will be a complex issue.



4. What is your position on Tax Increment Financing and how it should be used?

I support the use of TIF as an incentive to create new, well-paying jobs in both large and small companies.



5. What would you do to encourage job growth?

I would do the following:

• Use TIF to attract new business

• Work with our local Economic Development organization to create new businesses and jobs

• Work with the Entrepreneurial Development Center to grow new companies

• Work with the state economic development organizations to attract new jobs

• Partner with our Regents institutions to create new jobs.