“Zero is Better” campaign ignores teacher layoffs, tax hikes

DES MOINES – Rep. Jeremy Taylor (R-Sioux City) has taken to The Iowa Republican to defend his button campaign which argues that zero percent allowable growth is better for Iowa schools. In a column titled “The Button Bake-Sale” Rep. Taylor again failed to mention that zero percent really means teacher layoffs and tax hikes for Iowa.

Sioux City is no exception, the school district plans to layoff 106 teachers if Republicans continue to demand zero percent allowable growth and reject a Democratic compromise of two percent allowable growth. Additionally, the Republican plan will trigger a $70 million property tax increase statewide.

“Rep. Taylor and Iowa Republicans have made their priorities very clear, they’ve passed millions of dollars in handouts to big business, but refuse to adequately fund education with two percent allowable growth,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Rep. Taylor needs to explain why he believes Sioux City residents should be forced to pay more property taxes for lower quality education.”

In response to Rep. Taylor’s “Zero is Better” buttons, the Iowa Democratic Party made buttons available online at IowaDemocrats.org/Button to highlight the lack of attention Iowa Republicans have given to the issue of school funding.