Iowa State University president Martin Jischke (jiss-kee) says it’s time for Iowa officials to raise taxes to ensure state services are maintained. Jischke says the more than 700-million dollars in tax cuts made over the past five years have put the state in a situation where it’s not able to meet its obligations, particularly in the education area. Jischke and leaders of the other state-supported universities in Iowa City and Cedar Falls say the legislature didn’t provide enough money for the universities, so there will be staff lay-offs and larger classes. Democrat Governor Tom Vilsack and Republican legislative leaders say they have NO intention of raising taxes. Jischke made his comments on Iowa Public Television. As reported on Radio Iowa last week, Jischke has confirmed he’s talking with Purdue University officials about becoming that university’s president.
