Iowa

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

Published

6 months 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

Iowa Rep. Shannon Lundgren joins growing 2nd District GOP field

Published

3 days ago

September 23, 2025

Press Room

Iowa Rep. Shannon Lundgren joins growing 2nd District GOP field

Iowa Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, announced her run for Iowa’s 2nd Congressional District Tuesday, joining a growing field of Republicans aiming to take the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson. In a social media post Tuesday morning, Lundgren announced her U.S. House campaign, kicking off by stating her early support for President Donald […]

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Iowa

Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson launches campaign for U.S. Senate

Published

2 weeks ago

September 14, 2025

Press Room

Iowa Rep. Ashley Hinson launches campaign for U.S. Senate

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Republican U.S. Representative Ashley Hinson officially launched her campaign for U.S. Senate at the Radisson Hotel in Cedar Rapids on Sunday.

“In the Senate, I will fight to make America look more like Iowa,” Hinson said. “Here, we know the difference between boys and girls. We know that families deserve to keep more of what they earn, and we know the people, not the government, always come first,” she said.

Right now, Ashley Hinson represents northeast Iowa’s 2nd District in Congress.

She’s running to replace Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who announced earlier this month she would not run for re-election.

“Ashley Hinson gives me hope. Someone that I know fights for me. Someone that has my back. And somebody that will have your back,” the Jones County Sheriff, Greg Graveler said about Hinson.

Hinson told Sunday’s crowd she wants to keep deporting illegal immigrants, cut taxes, and defend farmers in agriculture.

She also addressed Democrats who she said may consider her an extremist.

“If it’s extreme to want parents in charge of our kids’ education, if it’s extreme to want safe borders and safe streets, if it’s extreme to believe that there are only two genders, then they can go ahead and call me whatever they want,” Hinson said.

While Hinson will face plenty of competition for the Senate spot from other Republicans and Democrats, she said she’s confident in her campaign.

“We can only deliver on these critical wins, and make America safer and stronger for a generation to come if we win this seat. Or correction – when we win this seat,” Hinson said.

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