Dozens of cities across the state are proposing property tax increases this year to pay for infrastructure improvements, parks, libraries and other government services.
Iowa s high property taxes are a growing concern. The Tax Foundation examined the effective tax rates on owner-occupied housing across the United States. Iowa ranked 12th highest in the nation. At the heart of high property taxes is local government spending. Unless spending is controlled, any property tax relief will be limited. Iowa s property tax system is complex, and more transparency is needed. Iowa should look to Utah s truth in taxation law, which since 1985 has been controlling the growth of property taxes and providing transparency and accountability for taxpayers. Utah s truth in taxation is the gold standard model for any property tax reform.
• Hybrid vehicles would go up from $20 to $50
• plug-in hybrids would jump from $52 to $260
• all-electric vehicles would go from $120 to $300
This would be the highest such fees in the nation.
The argument is that, because alternative-fuel vehicles don’t use as much (or any) gasoline, drivers aren’t paying their fair share when it comes to building and maintaining roads.
Gas tax revenues have indeed plummeted, but electric cars make up less than 2% of cars on the road. And these hefty new fees would generate just $6 million in 2023, meaningless in context of the Utah Department of Transportation’s $1.6 billion annual budget.
FOX 13 News 360: The ballooning cost of new Utah State Prison site
By the time itâs finished, Utahâs newest state prison will have cost taxpayers close to a billion dollars.
and last updated 2021-01-18 00:30:58-05
SALT LAKE CITY â By the time itâs finished, Utahâs newest state prison will have cost taxpayers close to a billion dollars.
In 2015 when state officials were talking about building a new state prison, the estimated cost, shared at open houses in communities like Grantsville and Saratoga Springs, was $550 million.
Ultimately, the state settled on a site on the far west side of Salt Lake City, and a campus of more than 30 buildings are taking shape on the 250-acre site.