We realize that if we have two jobs and quit one of them we will have less

income. Currently, our governor and legislature seem somewhat alarmed that the state is experiencing a one hundred million dollar short fall in tax revenues. However, personal tax income is up 4.2%. Sales and use tax is up 4.4%. It seems that Iowa citizens are doing their share and more to give the state revenue. So what job did the legislature and the governor quit? They lowered taxes on businesses and corporations- and that revenue is down 5%. Perhaps that 5% worth of revenue would not have eliminated the 100 million shortfall. But that missing revenue certainly would have alleviated some of the problem.

Now the legislature and the governor must cut spending. One solution they have found is to cut money for our children’s education because, after all, they can’t spend money they don’t have – that being at least some of the money they decided not to collect. Schools are to receive a 1.25 increase. That would be devastating. Of course, schools can operate on less money. They simply let teachers go and increase class sizes – small class size being one of the major contributors to excellence in education.

If they persist in the 1.25 increase, Iowa will have the dubious honor of sinking from being ranked as the 35 th state that underfunds education to the 40th state.

Considering all our politicians’ comments on the vital need for a good education, one must wonder if they were sincere. This drastic cut in funding indicates that schools and the education they provide are dispensable, good places to make up for lost revenue. There is an old but true saying, “If you think education is expensive, try ignorance.”

Anne Michael

Tama