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Jamie Van Fossen Survey Response

1 What do you see as the three most important challenges facing Iowa and what legislation, if any, would you propose to address these issues?

1) Weakness in the national economy, and the possible effects on our state and local economy and job growth.

2) Flood recovery in eastern Iowa.

3) The attack on Iowa’s Right to Work law.

2 Do you believe additional revenue needs to be allocated to TIME 21 and if so, how should these dollars be obtained?

Iowa’s road infrastructure is in need of major work. I do believe that TIME 21 needs more revenue. However the key is what type of revenue, increasing the fuel tax alone will not adequately fund TIME 21 as vehicles become more fuel efficient we will collect less and less fuel tax. We need to totally revamp the way we fund transportation infrastructure not only in Iowa, but nationwide.

3 Will you support providing state matching funds to secure passenger rail service from the Illinois Quad Cities to Iowa City and other points west?

Yes. This question and possible funding source melds with question “2” on funding.

4 What are your ideas for providing a more stable funding stream for mental health services in Iowa?

This is “the” issue in our community. Not only from a business and residential property tax side, but from a human service issue standpoint. The state of Iowa must take over most, if not all, mental health funding from counties! This would provide immediate property tax relief!

5 Re: Distribution of state funds based on population. Do you see this as a problem and if so, how might you propose to address it?

Yes. State funding should be on a per capita basis.

6 Do you feel any need to make legislative changes in TIF? If so, what would you propose?

No. TIF is an important economic development tool for local governments in Iowa.

7 Would you support continued state investment in Vision Iowa, CAT, RECAT or similar programs that enable communities like ours to undertake major projects?

Yes. Davenport and Bettendorf have leveraged these programs with impressive results!

8 Re: property tax reform. Do you believe that this disparity impedes Iowa’s ability to compete for business and if so, what changes would you suggest?

Yes (See answer to question “4” above MH funding). I believe we need to include all classes of property, including commercial/industrial in the rollback. This would allow all property classes to rise and fall together, and not put all the pressure on commercial/industrial properties. I would not favor any changes that would increase residential property taxes.