News Editor Cheryl Allen’s Dec. 28 “From the News Desk” article unfortunately contained an untruth that is being promulgated by State Senator Dawn Driscoll concerning the reason for the impact of property tax reform on local jobs and services, such as funding of the Kalona Public Library, stating that, “Iowa is ranked 40th in property taxes,” and taxpayers are “overwhelmingly” concerned as assessments skyrocketed because of “Joe Biden’s policies.” This is patently and shamefully false.

Initially high inflation was caused by worldwide supply chain interruptions due to the Covid pandemic.

The prevalent view of economists at the time Biden took office was that a recession was inevitable. However, due to Biden administration policies, that never materialized.

Statewide high property assessments and resulting high taxes can be traced directly to Gov. Reynolds’ tax cuts, thereby forcing county and city governments to make up for the revenue shortfall.

Under the Biden administration we have had:

1. The two strongest years of job growth in history, 11 million jobs created, with the lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, 3.5%.

2. Gas prices are down more than $1.60 from their summer 2022 peak. The website Gas Buddy projects that Americans will pay an estimated $42 million less for gas in 2024.

3. Increased maximum Pell Grant value of $900.

4. Near record low unemployment for both African-Americans and Hispanics.

5. The largest infrastructure investment since the Eisenhower administration, in all fifty states, territories, throughout tribal nations.

6. Prevented a national debt default.

7. Record GDP growth.

8. Capped insulin cost at $35 per month for seniors on Medicare.

9. The inflation rate has dropped from 9.1%, January 2022, to 3.0%, June 2023, the lowest in the world.

All of these accomplishments were achieved despite the most extremist, hostile House of Representatives in history.

Brown Rencher

Riverside