Battle over tax reform shapping up among House and Senate

A war of wills is developing at the statehouse among Republicans. House Republican leaders say they do not intend to pursue income tax reform this year, while Senate Republican Leader Stewart Iverson of Dows says it’s something he still wants to accomplish in the next few weeks. Iverson says income tax is “huge issue” when people look to settle or locate a business in Iowa, and it’s something the legislature must tackle to help the state grow. Iverson says groups of legislators are meeting and working, and will continue to try to find a proposal on income taxes that could win approval. Over the weekend, Senators said it’s time for the Governor to lay his income tax reform plan on the table to help advance the debate. House Speaker Christopher Rants, a Republican from Sioux City, holds a different view. Rants says it’s “immaterial” whether Vilsack does anything at this point. Rants says it would have been much more helpful in January or February to have the Governor weigh in, but not now that the legislature is preparing to go conclude within the month.