While we can all agree that we must help low-income families with their heating bills, I disagree strongly with the means to pay for that assistance. It is simply irresponsible to steal funds meant to help Iowa's least fortunate citizens. The Senate approved a bill that would completely eliminate sales tax on gas and electricity, propane and heating oil. The phase out would occur over the next five years. This is a proposal that has been discussed for years.
Sales taxes are regressive because they disproportionately hit lower income citizens.
Heating our homes is a necessity like food and medicine. And repealing sales taxes on such essentials is like utilities make sense. The legislation also provides for a two-month suspension of the sales tax on utility gas bills. Voters Legislative Forum co-sponsored by the Environmental Advocates. Watch live on Cable Channel 4.