Is Iowa life really that great? (Washington, Grant: vehicle registration, neighborhoods, school district)

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Vitae

I've observed that many Iowan both on and off these forums seem to respond to legitimate criticisms of their state with either personal attacks or illogical and defensive counter arguments. I don't totally understand why. Maybe it's disrupts their cognitive dissonance about choosing to live there.

This sort of behavior is not unique to Iowans, for sure.

[goolsbyjazz]

Since my initial post I had another friend move to the state. They live in what's called the "Creative Corridor?" And, wait for it...they also LOVE it! Definitely going to plan a visit now that the white stuff is going away.

[Dewey59]

Originally Posted by goolsbyjazz

Since my initial post I had another friend move to the state. They live in what's called the "Creative Corridor?" And, wait for it...they also LOVE it! Definitely going to plan a visit now that the white stuff is going away.

The newness of Iowa wears off pretty quickly.... Usually about the time they get their first property tax bill or do their income taxes for the first time. They then take a hard look around them and wonder where all this money is going.

[atler8]

Originally Posted by Dewey59

The newness of Iowa wears off pretty quickly.... Usually about the time they get their first property tax bill or do their income taxes for the first time. They then take a hard look around them and wonder where all this money is going.

I've repeatedly made posts with links here on the Iowa Forum before about the comparative tax situations of Iowa as related to the rest of the U.S.
Data found at The Tax Foundation site reveals that Iowa is smack in the middle of the pack in overall taxes assessed and the Foundation further notes that the state in recent years has improved it's relative standing among the other 49 states.
As I have also noted before, there is a wide variation among the tax rates assessed by various counties &/or municipalities so some people rightfully can say that their taxes are or were high but that must be balanced against the very low tax assessments that many Iowans have. It all balances out to that middle of the pack tax ranking I cited above.
Much of the tax revenue goes into educational funding both at the 2ndary & university level. There's a reason why Iowa's public education system is well ahead of the ranking & spending levels in states such as Arizona where you live & Colorado where a retired educator friend of mine looks in disgust at their educational system which is viewed as in relative decline.
In Arizona, where my dad lived, there is currently an ongoing crisis exodus of teachers leaving the schools that the state can't seem to get a grip on.
Another factor that is particularly peculiar to Iowa & it's budget is the enormous farm to market supporting road system that is found in the state. Developed decades ago to support the intense agriculture system as a transportation link to get farm goods to market, the state is now saddled with the expense & upkeep of a huge road system, something which most other states, with the exception of a number of neighboring Midwestern states, do not have on a comparable scale.
Stepping back to look at the university level of education in Iowa, there is a reason why Iowa boasts 2 schools, Iowa State & the University of Iowa, that are among the very select 60 members of the A.A.U. (American Association of Universities).
Schools don't get or keep membership in that highly regarded association unless they meet the high critical standards of the A.A.U.
The bottom line here is that I personally can see where Iowa's mid level taxation rate & the resultant spending goes & that it gets results.

[goolsbyjazz]

Originally Posted by atler8

I've repeatedly made posts with links here on the Iowa Forum before about the comparative tax situations of Iowa as related to the rest of the U.S.
Data found at The Tax Foundation site reveals that Iowa is smack in the middle of the pack in overall taxes assessed and the Foundation further notes that the state in recent years has improved it's relative standing among the other 49 states.
As I have also noted before, there is a wide variation among the tax rates assessed by various counties &/or municipalities so some people rightfully can say that their taxes are or were high but that must be balanced against the very low tax assessments that many Iowans have. It all balances out to that middle of the pack tax ranking I cited above.
Much of the tax revenue goes into educational funding both at the 2ndary & university level. There's a reason why Iowa's public education system is well ahead of the ranking & spending levels in states such as Arizona where you live & Colorado where a retired educator friend of mine looks in disgust at their educational system which is viewed as in relative decline.
In Arizona, where my dad lived, there is currently an ongoing crisis exodus of teachers leaving the schools that the state can't seem to get a grip on.
Another factor that is particularly peculiar to Iowa & it's budget is the enormous farm to market supporting road system that is found in the state. Developed decades ago to support the intense agriculture system as a transportation link to get farm goods to market, the state is now saddled with the expense & upkeep of a huge road system, something which most other states, with the exception of a number of neighboring Midwestern states, do not have on a comparable scale.
Stepping back to look at the university level of education in Iowa, there is a reason why Iowa boasts 2 schools, Iowa State & the University of Iowa, that are among the very select 60 members of the A.A.U. (American Association of Universities).
Schools don't get or keep membership in that highly regarded association unless they meet the high critical standards of the A.A.U.
The bottom line here is that I personally can see where Iowa's mid level taxation rate & the resultant spending goes & that it gets results.

You make two excellent points. As much as I have been an advocate for Arizona (because of the natural beauty of the state) one of my biggest disappointments has been the way the legislature views and funds education. Let's face it, we put money in the areas we care about. Not that simply throwing money at the problem will solve all the issues, but under-funding is definitely not the answer. I grew up in Massachusetts (better known as "taxachusetts") where they definitely believed in funding education. Iowa, in my opinion, has done a fair job with its educational system. No comparison there.

[Northeasterner1970]

I don't think Iowa has one of the best public education systems in the United States but I think it has a lot more to do with environments Than funding. Iowa has five times as many ESL students than 20 years ago. I think immigrants are really good for Iowa but I think many school districts in Iowa may be unprepared for this immigrant influx. Also as many small towns continue to decay, I think that also puts stresses on the school enviroment. But there is also good news, The Des Moines Public School district has continued to make
Improvements even though it is becoming poorer and poorer. There is a national journal article on it.

Why Des Moines Can Be a Model for Urban Schools - The Atlantic

[Dewey59]

atler8, not meaning to start an argument, but I personally don't care where Iowa ranks on one tax website. The taxes are outrageous - in my opinion! My property and income taxes in AZ are less than half of what I paid in Iowa - and I have a similar house and similar paying job here.

As far as education goes, I can understand where that would be important to people who have kids. However, for those of us who don't, we do not want to pay thousands of dollars a year to educate someone else's kids. In Iowa, over half of my property tax went to the local school district!

Everyone has a different perspective of what is important. I was just trying to sound a warning that people should thoroughly research the tax situation before moving to Iowa... lest they get sticker shock!

[jmgg]

Originally Posted by Dewey59

atler8, not meaning to start an argument, but I personally don't care where Iowa ranks on one tax website. The taxes are outrageous - in my opinion! My property and income taxes in AZ are less than half of what I paid in Iowa - and I have a similar house and similar paying job here.

As far as education goes, I can understand where that would be important to people who have kids. However, for those of us who don't, we do not want to pay thousands of dollars a year to educate someone else's kids. In Iowa, over half of my property tax went to the local school district!

Everyone has a different perspective of what is important. I was just trying to sound a warning that people should thoroughly research the tax situation before moving to Iowa... lest they get sticker shock!

In SD 60% to 70% of property taxes goes to the schools. How taxes are allocated varies from state to state and there really isn't a definite right or wrong answer as to which taxing arm pays for education. Granted, some parts of the U.S. have ridiculous monies going for education with little to show for it. Across the state of Iowa you can see the benefits of a state that values education. The number of uneducated illiterate idiots like you see being interviewed or rioting in other parts of the country are huge in comparison with this area.


My thousands of dollars go now to pay for other kids' educations. When we had kids in school, someone else's dollars helped educate MY kids. All that's happening is you've reached a point in your life where your tax money doesn't directly affect you when it comes to education. You've reached a different stage in your life. AZ and IA are totally different states. Other than retirement havens, Arizona has become a very dangerous place to live in comparison to Iowa. People up here will gladly pay higher taxes for a safer lifestyle and having a better school system with kids still taught with a degree of old style values.

[princesspiggies]

Originally Posted by Dewey59

My property and income taxes in AZ are less than half of what I paid in Iowa - and I have a similar house and similar paying job here.

We moved to IA from VA and experienced the same thing. Higher income tax, more than double real estate property tax, comparable personal property tax, higher sales tax, higher gasoline tax...and other than a YMCA-like community center (that requires a membership fee for most things!), I'm not sure where it goes.

IA had a reputation for good schools, but that's not as true anymore. Public schools here are underfunded, and it's only getting worse. Education funding has been the political football in IA legislature in the two years we have lived here. State law constrains what school districts can spend...so even if they want to raise taxes to fund more teachers, they can't.

[capitalcityguy]

Originally Posted by Dewey59

atler8, not meaning to start an argument, but I personally don't care where Iowa ranks on one tax website. The taxes are outrageous - in my opinion!

Is it correct to say that you don't wish to look at facts or figures, but instead wish to make an emotional argument based instead on opinion only?