Another question on today’s ballot features a proposed amendment to the Iowa Constitution. It would require a super majority for any income or property tax increases. This measure has already been passed by the state legislature in 2024 and 2026 as required. The public vote is the final step.
Specifically, the amendment would require a two-thirds super-majority in both the house and senate. That would increase the number of votes needed to pass a tax increase in the Senate to 34 and in the House to 67.
Voting “Yes” today supports the constitutional amendment. A “No” vote would leave the current simple majority in place.
Here is the actual question on today’s ballot:
Shall the following amendment to the constitution be adopted?
Summary: Provides that any bill to increase the individual income tax rate or the corporate income tax rate, or the rate of any other type of tax based upon income or legal and special reserves, shall require the affirmative votes of at least two-thirds of the members elected to each house of the legislature for passage. Further, the two-thirds majority vote requirement applies to the passage of a bill to establish a new tax on any type of income or legal and special reserves imposed by the state. The requirement excludes taxes imposed at the option of a local government. A lawsuit challenging the proper enactment of a bill under this section must be filed no later than one year following the enactment.
