2006 PRIORITIES

INCREASE IN TOBACCO TAX

The League of Women Voters of Iowa supports an increase in taxes on all tobacco products to improve the health of Iowans by reducing tobacco use. This will save lives and result in lower health-care costs for all.

JUSTICE: DEATH PENALTY, SENTENCING, CORRECTIONS

The League of Women Voters of Iowa opposes capitol punishment and its reinstatement in Iowa. We support the present penalty of life imprisonment without parole for capitol crimes.

The LWVIA supports the repeal or reduction of mandatory minimum sentences. 

We also support Iowa's system of community based corrections (CBCs) and believe they should be expanded.  We support legislation that considers offenders with special needs (i.e. inmates identified as mentally ill, substance abusers, geriatric, and medically needy).

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT

The League of Women Voters of Iowa is opposed to a public referendum on taxes. We support an equitable and flexible Iowa tax system that is progressive and provides sufficient revenue. We are opposed to the proposed constitutional amendment which has passed the Iowa Legislature once and must pass again before going to the public for a vote. The proposal calls for voter approval to increase any sales, income or property tax or fee by more than one percent of state revenues.

VOTING SYSTEM SECURITY

The League of Women Voters of Iowa supports the implementation of voting systems and procedures that are secure, accurate, recountable, and accessible in order to safeguard the vote and to insure integrity and voter confidence in elections.