A fart in the wind
In Gov. Culver’s new promo, he states he is doing what is best for Iowa. What he is doing is what is best for his re-election bid. He is going to cut or at least reduce programs that help the truly needy — the elderly, disabled, children and the low income. He is also going to cut state employees which will lead to more unemployment, an increase in food stamps, and less sales and income tax revenue because these people will earn less and buy less. He will also increase property taxes by cutting payments to schools, counties and cities. Sorry, Governor, your plan is nothing more than a fart in the wind.
The right thing to do is to increase taxes on the wealthy and eliminate a number of sales tax exemptions that could bring significant revenues to the coffers of the state. Shame on you for putting yourself before the vast majority of Iowans who you were elected to serve.
Chris Henderson
Clive
Education funds are grossly mismanaged
Tuition hikes are a regular occurrence for most students on campus. To combat the rising problem of education every year, I’ve doled out allotted monies in the form of financial aid, grants and work-study. But I draw the line with a mid-year tuition hike amidst the crushing financial crisis while the current college education system lies in ruins. You can’t be serious?
As a student, the ideas presented as viable options to handle the budget crisis are frustrating. Not only do a majority of these solutions hurt hardworking students and often underpaid staff, they also do not address the problem of understated student representation. Twenty-four million dollars cut from a budget will not come easily, but will heavily depend on one solution. Mid-year tuition, layoffs or the removal of academic programs will not solve anything in the long term.
The University of Iowa participates in various business enterprises and receives private dollars to assist in the funding of education. It is my opinion that those funds are being grossly mismanaged. If the U of I is truly concerned about student welfare, then put education over the pursuit of profit.
Brittany Hall
Iowa City
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