Iowans for Tax Relief Campaign Promotes Supermajority Tax Amendment

Iowans for Tax Relief launched a statewide awareness campaign on July 22 to promote a constitutional amendment appearing on the November 3 general election ballot. Known as Senate Joint Resolution 11 or Amendment 1, the measure would require a two-thirds supermajority of the Iowa Legislature to approve increases to individual and corporate income taxes, raising the current requirement from a simple majority.

Chris Hagenow, president of Iowans for Tax Relief, stated the initiative aims to future-proof tax cuts achieved over the last decade and make tax hikes a last resort. The organization is utilizing a new website alongside paid television, radio, and direct mail advertisements to educate voters on the measure.

Governor Kim Reynolds expressed full support for the amendment, arguing that voters should decide how their money is handled and that tax increases should have a very high threshold.

Opponents, including Common Good Iowa and Democratic lawmakers, characterize the amendment as reckless. Anne Discher of Common Good Iowa argued that the two-thirds requirement is an incredibly high bar that could threaten the sustainability of public schools and health care, particularly as the state currently uses reserves to cover budget shortfalls caused by previous tax cuts.