The Iowa State House of Representatives voted in the local option sales tax bill. This bill will allow the areas of Iowa that were hit the hardest by the disasters that happened last year. The sales tax will be one percent and the money it raises will help fund the various disaster relief and recovery efforts that are taking place.

The sales tax was voted in 53-37 and Iowa Governor Chet Culver is fully expected to sign it into law.

So what does this mean for Cedar Rapids?

Well, first it is important for Cedar Rapids residents to know that their state representative, Democrat Taylor Olson was very much in favor of the bill which he told the Gazette would allow Cedar Rapids and the surrounding Linn County to recover more quickly after the major floods the area has had to deal with.

The Cedar Rapids City Council wants to let its voters start voting on the issue as soon as March third.

Obviously the sales tax was met with criticism as well as some saying that the sales tax provision was passed without a definite "end date" and that there was no language in the bill that specifically called for the funds to be used for disaster recovery. Critics wanted to put a five year limit on the tax and declare that the funds be used only for flood repairs and nothing else. Other opponents object to the swiftness with which the tax is expected to be voted on by "regular" voters. Election experts worry that the voters will not be given enough time to educate themselves about the specifics of the bill before they are called on to vote it in.

Todd Taylor, also a representative for Cedar Rapids is in favor of leaving off the language that earmarks the funds. He pointed out to the Iowa State Congress that there were areas (like Cedar Rapids) that, while not affected immediately by flooding, were greatly affected by expenses that were incurred as a result of the flooding. The City was forced to shut down a jail and foot the bill for the porta-potties that were sent to damaged areas. He also pointed out that it is the voters that will have the final say in how the money gets spent.

One thing that most voters will like is that it puts the recovery effort into their own hands instead of relying on governmental funding to help them rebuild and repair their homes and towns. A one percent sales tax will not greatly affect the prices of most items but it should be enough to give significant aid to the relief and recovery efforts.

What do you think? As a Cedar Rapids resident, do you want this sales tax? Do you want the money only to go to flood relief throughout the state or would you like to be able to put that money to use locally? Do you favor a sales tax or higher state and property taxes?