State Senator Dave Sires released the following statement on tomorrow’s special legislative session:
“Tomorrow, I’ll be a NO vote on the special session legislation for tax credits tied to the proposed steel plant. I support attracting new people, investment, and opportunity to Iowa. I also believe in working with the governor, the president, anyone to make that happen.
But the process also matters.
The plant was announced Monday, and within days, we are being called into a special session to approve a major tax credit package. That is an extraordinarily compressed timeline for a decision of this size and significance. There has been very little time for public input, very little opportunity to fully examine the proposal, and far too many unanswered questions. Iowans are being asked to support a massive commitment of taxpayer resources before they’ve had a meaningful chance to understand what they’re even being asked to approve.
Iowans are sick of feeling unheard. That’s why the upcoming election is going to be so close. As lawmakers, we should be listening to the people, not rushing major decisions through before they’ve had a chance to weigh in. Iowans deserve the details, the answers, and a voice in the process. That’s why I’ll be voting NO.”