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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- On Tuesday, the Republican controlled House of Representatives passed a bill reforming Iowa’s commercial property taxes.

The bill aims to reduce taxes on commercial properties 40% over an 8-year period. Republicans within the house believe that this will create jobs in Iowa and attract more businesses back to Iowa. Democrats believe the bill puts more pressure on residential property owners.

KTVO spoke with Fairfield Representative Curt Hanson from the house floor Wednesday morning. Hanson told KTVO that he feels the bill that was passed is not good for his constituents.

“Some feel that we are going to reduce the property taxes on commercial businesses and that is going to result in economic growth and not curtail the cities… ...And other people feel those decisions are best made up here in Des Moines and that is where I parted ways, because I think those people who are closest to the tax payers listen to them everyday,” said Hanson.

One local business owner, Keith Caviness of the Photo Shop in downtown Ottumwa, was glad to hear that the bill passed the house. Caviness believes that more businesses and jobs will come back to Iowa with the lower tax rate. He also believes small business owners, like himself, will be able to put the money to better use.

“Six years ago I moved to this location, and I am renting this location. I don’t own it. I moved here because my property taxes on Gateway Drive were $25,000 a year. Every six months I had to pay $12,500 in property taxes and I was more than we, as a small business, could continue to afford. Now, the positive stroke is that everyone that pays rent is also paying property taxes through their rent, and the people that own these properties will now see some reduction in those property taxes in the next six to eight years,” said Caviness.

The bill that passed the house faces an up-hill battle in the Democratic controlled senate. The senate and democrats have their own plan regarding property taxes, which are somewhat different than Republicans.

Both Hanson and Caviness told KTVO that they wish to see compromise on this issue and have a bill on Governor Branstad’s desk by the end of the session.