Iowa
Iowa House Democrats unveil their own property tax plan
DES MOINES, Iowa (Gray Media Iowa Capitol Bureau) – Regardless of whether you own your home or rent, you could get property tax relief, Iowa Democrats say following the release of their new plan.
This comes as Republican lawmakers are working on a sweeping overhaul of the tax system.
During a Thursday press conference, Rep. Dave Jacoby (D-Coralville) said when they’re running for office, property taxes are one of the top issues voters bring up.
“Their frustration is coming to a boiling point because everything we’ve done to date has been totally ineffective,” he said.
Iowa House Democrats’ new plan would give homeowners a $1,000 rebate check. Renters would get a $500 check. It would also freeze property taxes for people 65 and older.
Iowa House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst says they want to get relief to homeowners now, rather than waiting a year or two for Republicans to work out their property tax relief plan.
“This is our way to let homeowners and renters finally see property tax decreases or their money coming back to them instead of waiting for another year, another two years, to sit around and talk about the plan and meanwhile their rates are going up,” she said.
The money for the Democrats’ plan would come from the Taxpayer Relief Fund, which has $3.75 billion in it currently. Iowa Republican House Speaker Pat Grassley says that fund is supposed to be used to lower income taxes.
“We know right now that that Taxpayer Relief Fund helps smooth any unforeseen things that happen as we reduce the tax to 3.8 (percent). So, I’d want to see what that direct proposal would look like and how that would impact the income tax cut,” he said.
Homeowners’ would see their property tax increases capped at two percent per year under the Republican plan. Seniors would get a tax credit and veterans would see their exemption increase. The plan also phases out rollbacks and will give homeowners a $25,000 annual exemption.
Grassley says their plan needs more work and Republicans will take their time to make sure they get it right.
“When you’re looking at such a system that’s been in place as long as it has, it’s going to take time and we need to be very deliberate in our approach to make sure we’re not only providing relief, but that it’s something that’s sustainable as well,” he said.
Jacoby can’t yet say whether the rebate checks would be a one time payment or yearly. He says he’s still waiting on some projections, but his goal is to do these rebates over the next three to five years.
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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.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
One of the top Iowa high school football prospects in the state has made his college decision official.
Iowa City Regina High School senior-to-be Tate Wallace has announced he has verbally committed to the University of Minnesota in the Big Ten Conference. Wallace picked the Golden Gophers and head coach PJ Fleck over a finalists Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State and Wisconsin.
Wallace narrowed down his list of schools to six at the end of April before making his final decision.
Iowa City Regina Football Standout Tate Wallace Ranked As No. 2 Overall Prospect In Iowa High School Football
The 6-foot-2, 226-pound linebacker is considered the No. 2 overall prospect in the state of Iowa for high school football, and is the No. 21 linebacker in the Class of 2027, according to 247Sports.
In the 247Sports Composite rankings, Wallace is No. 2 in Iowa high school football, No. 29 at linebacker and No. 359 for the Class of 2027.
Along With Minnesota, Tate Wallace Currently Holds Offers From Schools Such As Arizona, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Iowa State
Wallace currently holds 16 total offers including from the previously mentioned Minnesota, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Arizona, Arizona State, Wisconsin, Iowa State, Kansas State, Purdue, Tennessee, West Virginia, Eastern Michigan, Miami (Ohio), Toledo, UNLV, North Dakota and North Dakota State.
As a junior, Wallace registered almost 50 tackles on defense, with 29 of them being counted as solo stops. He had 18 tackles for loss, 8.5 quarterback sacks and forced two fumbles, as Iowa City Regina advanced to the state championship game of the Iowa High School Athletic Association State Football Championships.
Future Minnesota Golden Gopher Has Been Key Two-Way Starter For Regals
Wallace also hauled in 40 passes for 611 yards with 10 receiving touchdowns on offense for the Regals. As a two-way player for Iowa City Regina during his sophomore season, Wallace had 27.5 tackles, including 16 solo stops, four tackles for loss and a quarterback sack, adding 51 receptions for 752 yards and eight touchdowns.
Back in March, Wallace announced seven spring visits to Notre Dame, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Arizona, Kansas State and Arizona State. He also visited Tennessee this past fall, taking in an SEC contest with the Volunteers.
Along with his success on the football field, Wallace helped lead the Regals to the Iowa High School Athletic Association Boys State Basketball Tournament this past winter. He earned High School on SI all-state honors in the process.
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IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) — Volunteers broke ground Saturday for Iowa Valley Habitat for Humanity’s 16th Woman Build, honoring a retired University of Iowa nursing professor.
Liz Swanson, a retired nursing professor, was chosen as this year’s honoree for her decades of impact. The Women Build program focuses on including women in every step of home construction.
While the home is built in Swanson’s honor, it will go to a fellow nurse and mother of three. The family applied through the affordable housing program.
Swanson said she’s proud to be part of a project that directly connects to her nursing legacy.
“It’s very special to have the unique opportunity to help the nurse who is working nights,” Swanson said.
Swanson said stable housing gives families the security to plan for the future.
“It means security for families. We talked briefly to the children and they said, ‘we’re gonna have our own bedroom,’” Swanson said.
Volunteers are set to begin work on the home in August. Those interested in volunteering can find more information here.
Copyright 2026 KCRG. All rights reserved.
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