Iowans for Tax Relief released a survey on Wednesday that showed over two-thirds of Iowans believe property tax reform should be reviewed by legislators this year, including 70.7 percent of Republicans, 64.5 percent of Democrats, and 68.2 percent of independents.
The survey was conducted on behalf of Iowans for Tax Relief by Clout Research, an opinion research and voter data modeling firm out of Dublin, OH. 863 likely voters were surveyed between January 15-17, 2019, and has a margin of error of +/- 3.33 percent.
Voters were asked, “Do you agree or disagree that the Iowa Legislature should review the issue of property taxes during the 2019 session?”
Property taxes are an issue of concern regardless of whether voters lived in a city, suburb, small town, or rural setting. 60.7 percent of voters who said they lived in a large community said they agree property taxes should be a priority for the Legislature with 70.4 percent of those living in the suburbs, 65.1 percent of those living in small communities, and 75.2 percent living in a rural setting saying the same.
A majority of Iowans back two specific ways to reform property taxes as well.
53.1 percent of likely Iowa voters said the legislature should establish a property tax cap that limits the annual growth of taxes levied by their local school districts. Republicans and independents backed that proposal with 63.3 percent of Republicans and 54.9 percent of independents agreeing that there should be a cap. A plurality of Democrat voters agreed as well with 40.7 percent agreeing there should be a cap and 35.6 percent disagreeing
Also, 53.1 percent said that there should be a property tax cap that limits the annual growth of taxes levied by cities and counties. A majority of Republicans and Independent voters agree that there should be a cap – 58.5 percent and 54.9 percent respectively. More Democrats agree with a cap on cities and counties than for school districts with a plurality – 45.4 percent say there should be a cap on cities and counties, and 30.9 percent saying that there should not be one.
A debate over property tax reform is expected in the Iowa Legislature this year. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (R-Ankeny) told Caffeinated Thoughts they planned to consider the issue this session.
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