New Culver Ad Misleads Iowans

DES MOINES – Today House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) called on Gov. Culver to stop misleading Iowans and to tell the truth about his record on taxes. 

The governor’s recent ad states, “We have a surplus and we didn’t raise taxes.”  Paulsen calls that claim completely false.

In fiscal year 2010, Culver underfunded education by $270 million, which fell on property taxpayer.   In fiscal year 2011, he underfunded education by $170 million, which also fell on property taxpayer. 

It doesn’t stop there.  Even as recent as a month ago, the governor committed to another round of tax increases.  He promised a 4 percent increase for fiscal year 2012 in allowable growth, the state aid provided to Iowa’s schools.   According to the non-partisan Legislative Services Agency, Culver’s pledge would be roughly a $338 million increase in school spending authority.  At a minimum, current law says $40 million would fall on the property taxpayer.

“This governor has a history of raising taxes on Iowans and it’s time he starts being honest about his record,” said Paulsen.  “The truth is Gov. Culver has already committed Iowans to over $1 billion in new spending, he sent the state into debt and he’s failed to meet payment requirements effectively lowering Iowa’s credit score.  He is simply a poor money manager.”

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