SULLIVAN'S SALVOS
February 14, 2019
Sullivan’s Salvos 2/19/19
In this edition:
*North Liberty Special Election
*Bad Tax Idea
*Bowl For Kid’s Sake
*Shelter House Book Sale
*Did You Know?
*North Liberty Special Election
Councilor Jim Sayre left North Liberty to take a job in Arizona, and opened up a partial term on the North Liberty City Council.
I typically do not get involved in City Council elections outside of Iowa City. IC is where I live, and sometimes getting involved elsewhere is not viewed favorably.
But I decided to act otherwise in this case. In the upcoming (March 12) Special Election there is a FANTASTIC candidate for North Liberty Council who really deserves your support. That candidate is RaQuishia Harrington. An 11 year resident of North Liberty, RaQuishia lives with her husband Willie and three children.
I have known RaQuishia for over a decade, and have always had great admiration for her work. RaQuisha did outstanding work at Neighborhood Centers, overseeing childcare programs and developing programs for school aged children. Both of these are big issues right now in North Liberty!
RaQuishia then went to the City of Iowa City, where she has done an outstanding job overseeing and developing programs for youth and diverse populations. Again, important experience that would be beneficial for North Liberty!
RaQuishia is smart, caring, dedicated, and knows city government. I hope all Salvos readers will reach out to their friends and family in North Liberty, and encourage them to support this outstanding candidate!
*Bad Tax Idea
The Iowa Legislature is in session, so I am used to opposing bad tax ideas. Unfortunately, the one I am about to describe comes from a Democrat – my friend Dave Jacoby.
The Bill in question is HF234, which would freeze property taxes for senior citizens. The idea sounds great on its face; reducing property taxes for seniors. Who could possibly oppose tax cuts for seniors, right? As usual, the devil is in the details. Here are nine reasons I oppose this suggestion:
*By focusing on property taxes, we are by definition focusing on the wealthiest seniors – those who own property. The poorest 25% of seniors do not own property, and would see no benefit whatsoever.
*Tax plans should be progressive. In other words, they should offer the most help to those who need it most. This does the exact opposite. Should Warren Buffet get a tax cut just because he is a senior? Or to use an Iowa example, Kirk Ferentz?
*Similarly, tax plans should always be based upon ability to pay, not demographic factors. Should we cut taxes for women only? African Americans only? Blondes only? Teachers only? Of course not! Cutting taxes for seniors only is just as absurd!
*Iowa’s schools are already starved for money. Property taxes fund about 35% of our schools. How will we get our education system where it needs to be when we reduce our property tax revenues? How will our teachers get the raises they deserve? How will we reduce class sizes? Is this property tax scheme worth hurting our schools?
*There is yet another relationship between property taxes and schools. Property near well-maintained schools tends to be valued higher. That, in return, leads to a bigger tax base for the schools.
*It is not just schools that will be hurt. Property taxes also fund city and county governments. You know – the local governments who actually provide services to low income seniors! So we cut taxes on wealthy seniors and have to cut services for poor seniors. Does this make sense?
*We hear that seniors are on “fixed incomes’, and this is often true. But the assumption that all working people get raises is simply not true. Many working people will earn LESS year to year. Meanwhile, many of the seniors on “fixed” incomes have pensions that increase a generous amount each year.
*Property DOES reflect wealth. My grandmother was born and raised on the family farm. She never held a job off the farm. When she was 95 and living alone on the farm, her income was minimal. Did she deserve a property tax cut? No! Because she owned 500 acres of prime Iowa farmland! She sold just a few acres, and was set for the rest of her life.
*Programs already exist to abate property taxes for seniors who need it. County Supervisors approve these requests; I think I have voted on about 20 in my time on the Board. We already have a process!
Cutting the property taxes of seniors might sound good, but it is bad public policy! I hope this bill goes nowhere!
*Bowl For Kid’s Sake
The Sullivan for Supervisor team is once again raising money for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County by Bowling For Kids’ Sake on Saturday, February 23.
Bowl for Kids' Sake is Big Brothers Big Sisters largest national fundraiser, raising over $20 million annually for children in need across the country. Because of Bowl for Kids' Sake, more Bigs and Littles can be paired up, more friendships can be created and improved outlooks on life can be started.
To donate, see: https://e-activist.com/page/12455/donate/1
*Shelter House Book Sale
The annual Shelter House Book Sale will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 30, and from 12 to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 31 at the Johnson County Fairgrounds, Building C.
Gently used books plus music, movies, art, and vintage tees will be for sale. Dedicated book worms can purchase Early Entry passes to shop before the general public does. Passes are $10, and early entry begins at 10 a.m. on March 30.
Sales will benefit Shelter House programs and support services, including housing, employment, and mental health, that help hundreds of men, women, and children each year.
If you have books you’d like to donate, drop them off at Building B at the Fairgrounds starting Sunday, Feb. 24 from 1 to 3 p.m. Donation drop-off will continue every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 3 p.m. through the week of the sale. Please direct any questions to Kaily Hoard at kaily@shelterhouseiowa.org.
*DID YOU KNOW? If elected, RaQuishia Harrington would be the first person of color to serve on the North Liberty City Council.
Anyone interested in learning more about County government should take a look at the County website-
"Sullivan’s Salvos" is sent once per week to any interested party. It will give a brief update on issues of interest to Johnson County residents.
These messages come solely from Rod Sullivan, and neither represents the viewpoints of the whole Board of Supervisors nor those of groups or individuals otherwise mentioned.
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As always, feel free to contact me at 354-7199 or rodsullivan@mchsi.com. I look forward to serving you!
---Rod
posted by Rod Sullivan @ 9:51 AM
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