Iowa

Iowa lawmakers consider exempting TP, laundry soap, vitamins from sales tax

Published

1 year ago

April 9, 2025

Iowa lawmakers consider exempting TP, laundry soap, vitamins from sales tax

DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – You could save some money on several household items if some Iowa House Republicans get their proposal approved. They want to eliminate the sales tax on things like toilet paper, laundry detergent and vitamin supplements.

Laundry day may soon not take as much of your check on payday. State Rep. Christian Hermanson supports a bill that would eliminate sales tax on laundry detergent.

“I was actually frankly a little surprised that these items hadn’t been previously exempted,” he said.

The Consumer Price Index shows toilet paper prices went up another half a percent since November. Another legislative proposal they’re rolling out would tear off some of that cost by exempting it from sales tax.

“I think every little bit where the state can lean in and loosen the burden of sales tax on a family, on daily necessities like toilet paper or fragrance free, or just detergent in general, is probably a good thing,” he said.

Another proposal would eliminate the sales tax on vitamins and supplements. State sales tax in Iowa is 6%. If a bottle of supplements cost $10, it’d save 60 cents.

The democrat, on the subcommittee, Rep. Aime Wichtendahl, says proposals like this could help Iowans financially and physically healthier.

“Any amount of money that we can put back into people’s pockets at the checkout line is always a good thing. As I mentioned, it certainly can help people lead healthier lives who have dietary supplements and vitamins. I think at the end of the day you’re saving a little bit of money and being a little bit healthier,” she said.

If you’re wondering why Republicans picked toilet paper, laundry detergent, and supplement specifically…..“I don’t actually have any information on that. I just got these handed to me yesterday,” Hermanson said.

But – he hopes Iowans can catch a break at the checkout line.

We’ll get an updated look at national inflation numbers Thursday when the next Consumer Price Index report comes out.

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Conner Hendricks covers state government and politics for Gray Media-owned stations in Iowa. Email him at conner.hendricks@gray.tv; and follow him on Facebook at Conner Hendricks TV on X/Twitter @ConnerReports, and on TikTok @ConnerReports.

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Iowa

Reynolds orders flags lowered for funeral of Iowa Sen. Julian Garrett

Published

56 minutes ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Reynolds orders flags lowered for funeral of Iowa Sen. Julian Garrett

DES Moines, Iowa — Gov. Kim Reynolds has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff Saturday in honor of state Sen. Julian Garrett, who died June 8 at the age of 85.

Flags will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset June 20, the day of Garrett’s funeral, on the Iowa Capitol Building and across the Capitol Complex. The order also applies to all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

Garrett served 16 years in the Iowa Legislature, first representing House District 55 from 2011 to 2013 before serving in the Iowa Senate through the 2026 legislative session.

In addition to his legislative service, Garrett was a farmer, attorney and former employee of the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

“Sen. Garrett was a friend who served our state with integrity — whether as a cattle producer, a Little League coach, an attorney in the executive branch, or a legislator,” Reynolds said in a statement. “For 15 years, we worked together to unleash opportunities for the Iowans we served, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.”

Reynolds is encouraging individuals, businesses, schools, municipalities, counties and other government entities to lower their flags to half-staff during the same time period as a sign of respect.

Garrett represented southwest Iowa in the Legislature and was known for his work on judiciary and agriculture-related issues during his tenure at the Statehouse.

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Iowa

Iowa man injured in 3-vehicle crash on I-35 near Albert Lea

Published

11 hours ago

June 19, 2026

Press Room

Iowa man injured in 3-vehicle crash on I-35 near Albert Lea

An Iowa man was injured Thursday afternoon after three vehicles traveling northbound on Interstate 35 collided near Albert Lea.

Thomas Gene Anderson, 34, of Winnebago, Iowa, was taken by Mayo Ambulance to Mayo Clinic Health System in Albert Lea for non-life threatening injuries, according to the Minnesota State Patrol.

Anderson was listed as the driver of a 2019 Chevrolet Blazer.

The report states the Blazer and a 2020 Nissan Rogue, driven by Brenda Sue Bangs, 52, of Glenville, and a 2021 Chevrolet Blazer, driven by Lisa Ann Bettin, 64, of Altoona, Iowa, were all northbound on I-35 near milepost 10 when the vehicles collided at 3:49 p.m.

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Iowa

Iowa High School Baseball Stats: Leaders On The Diamond This Summer

Published

21 hours ago

June 18, 2026

Press Room

Iowa High School Baseball Stats: Leaders On The Diamond This Summer

As we work through the month of June, things are starting to heat up on the diamond around Iowa high school baseball.

With the start of postseason play just around the corner in July, teams are working to get prepared for the stretch run.

High School On SI Iowa has a Top 25 state power ranking while the Iowa High School Baseball Coaches Association releases weekly class-by-class rankings.

Here are leaders as of June 17, 2026 for several major hitting and pitching categories. Stats are from those uploaded to the Bound website.