Governor Tom Vilsack this morning offered republicans an answer to their complaints about his income tax proposals. Republicans say Vilsack’s plans do not guarantee taxes won’t be raised in the future. Many in the G-O-P support a constitutional amendment which would limit lawmakers’ authority to raise taxes in the future. Today, tax increases can be approved if a simple majority of legislators approve. Vilsack’s idea is to require that any state tax increase may only become law if 60-percent of the legislature votes yes. Vilsack says he’s throwing the idea out because he wants to show republicans he’s willing to make concessions in hopes they’ll do the same. “Don’t use the problem to stop progress…the bottom line is this: we’ve got to listen to each other,” Vilsack says. Vilsack says it takes a long time to adopt a constitutional amendment, and there’s no guarantee it will happen. He says his idea could immediately become law, and the governor says the reality is income and sales taxes aren’t increased unless there’s a real compelling need. Vilsack made his comments during taping of the Iowa Public Television program, “Iowa Press.”
