A key Republican legislator says it’s time for democrat Governor Tom Vilsack to “use the bully pulpit” and reveal what income tax reform plan he favors. Senator Larry McKibben, a republican from Marshalltown who’s chairman of the Senate’s tax-writing committee, proposed a single rate income tax several weeks ago and is trying to advance the issue despite yesterday’s announcement that House Republican leaders have abandoned hope of enacting income tax reform this year. McKibben isn’t giving up hope some deal can be struck before the legislature adjourns at the end of the month, and McKibben says Vilsack can be the catalyst for that.McKibben’s urging Vilsack to take a page from the democrat Governor of New Mexico who proposed a major income tax cut to make his state more competitive. McKibben concedes his own proposal must be tweaked a bit to fit the state budge. He says his is the only proposal that has real simplification, is really family friendly, and accomplishes what they’re looking for.Representative Jamie Van Fossen, a republican from Davenport who’s chairman of the House tax-writing committee, says he’s willing to consider income tax reform if McKibben can come up with something that passes the Senate and is favored by the Governor.McKibben and Van Fossen made their comments during taping of the Iowa Public Television program, Iowa Press, which airs tonight at 6:30.
