Iowa

Iowa Republicans keep forging a better future and making it easier to prosper

Published

2 years ago

May 26, 2024

Press Room

Iowa Republicans keep forging a better future and making it easier to prosper

While the Biden administration’s top down policies burden Iowans, lawmakers at home burn the midnight oil to make it easier to live, work, and prosper.

Tyler Raygor
| Guest columnist

The state Legislature ended its 2024 session in late April with not one, but two all-night sessions. After eight years of quality results for constituents, you would think the body’s GOP leaders would opt to coast into recess. Not so for this effective bunch. This term, lawmakers stuck to a three-pronged agenda — reducing taxes again, shrinking the size of government, and easing regulatory burdens — and it’s working.

Our jobless rate is running well below the national average, and Iowa has been recognized as the number one state for a low cost of living and fiscal responsibility. These numbers are impressive, and there is more to the story. By trusting families and entrepreneurs more, and top-down government less, Republicans have turned this state into a place where people will come to thrive and make an impact on their communities.

Let’s take taxes first.

Over the last several years, Americans living in high-tax states have fled to states with lower taxes.

Gov. Kim Reynolds understands this trend and already signed legislation that speeds implementation of a previously approved flat tax. Starting in 2025, the top and only income tax rate in Iowa will be 3.8%. Only five states will have a lower levy. When Reynolds took office in 2017, at 8.98% Iowa’s top rate was the sixth-highest in the country.

Reducing taxes was particularly important this session since, due to President Joe Biden’s inflation, Iowans still face higher food and energy costs. Reynolds and GOP lawmakers gave residents a breath of financial freedom by taking the first step to enshrine the flat tax in the state constitution and to require a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers to raise taxes in the future. Lawmakers will have to finish work on those initiatives in the next General Assembly.

High taxes are a barrier to job creation and innovation, but so is red tape. One study found the federal regulatory burden costs small manufacturers $50,100 per employee per year. At $3 trillion, the cumulative costs of federal red tape is more than the economic output of the entire U.S. manufacturing industry.

The Biden regulatory state is expanding by the day, but the second leg of Iowa Republicans’ pro-growth stool remains to reduce these costs here at home. Senate File 2370 will require an analysis of all new rules and will sunset regulations unless they undergo a substantive review and are re-adopted.

State lawmakers also made it easier to become an educator in Iowa. House File 255 modifies requirements related to teacher intern license programs and establishes a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program.

While entrenched special interests fought this bill, it is necessary if Iowa wants to continue to avoid the large scale teacher shortages. Reynolds has been on the front lines of this issue. In 2022, she implemented an innovative program, the Teacher and Paraeducator Registered Apprenticeship Grant Program, that allows paraeducators to earn their bachelor’s degree while working in the classroom. Changes like these are why our state is able to fill more of its teacher vacancies than others.

Finally, lawmakers also continued to reduce the size of government so that it works better citizens.

For example, Senate File 2385 will eliminate 83 unnecessary and redundant unelected boards and commissions and require an ongoing annual review of boards and commissions. It returns accountability to the people of Iowa through their elected representatives and reduces waste as many of these bodies are no longer meeting or serve an outdated function.

The legislation also consolidates bodies with similar mandates in order to better serve the public. It creates, for example, a Behavioral Health Professionals Board that will bring together psychologists, social workers, and other mental health professionals to help address mounting national challenges like addiction, depression, and burnout. Another bill, Senate File 2096, repealed gender balance requirements for appointive bodies in order to ensure the most qualified Iowans can serve.

While the Biden administration’s top down policies burden Iowans, lawmakers at home burn the midnight oil to make it easier to live, work, and prosper.

I’m grateful they don’t seem to need sleep.

Tyler Raygor is the Iowa state director for Americans for Prosperity.

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Iowa

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Published

2 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

Iowa lawmakers at a standstill over pipeline fight that could shape landowners’ rights

Lawmakers have yet to agree on whether private companies should be allowed to use eminent domain for a proposed carbon capture pipeline, leaving landowners and industry groups waiting on an outcome that could have lasting impacts across the state.

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Iowa

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

Published

14 hours ago

March 23, 2026

Press Room

3 key bills that survived the Iowa funnel deadline — and 2 that didn’t

The Iowa Legislature’s 2nd funnel deadline put an expiration date on dozens of bills that failed to advance far enough this session. Here’s a quick rundown:

The Iowa Legislature’s second funnel deadline has passed, closing the door on dozens of proposed bills.

The self-imposed deadline requires bills to have passed one chamber and be approved by a committee in the opposite chamber by March 20 or be relegated to the trash heap.

What Iowa bills missed the cut?

Among the casualties: bills that would have allowed community colleges to offer some four-year degrees and eliminated all school vaccination requirements.

What Iowa bills made the cut?

Other bills remain alive, including legislation restricting the governor’s emergency powers, allowing Iowans to buy ivermectin over the counter without a prescription and limiting tuition increases at Iowa’s public universities.

What big issues are hung up?

Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate, have yet to strike deals on two of the top issues of the legislative session: property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.

“There are some heavy lifts obviously,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, told reporters. “Property taxes, eminent domain conversation, and budgeting.”

What was the fate of dozens of other Iowa bills?

If you’re looking for a more complete list of bills that lived and died, read our exhaustive roundup of education, health care, business, state government and law enforcement and courts legislation.

Portions of this article appeared in the Des Moines Register’s politics newsletter. Don’t miss out. Sign up here.

Marissa Payne covers the Iowa Statehouse and politics for the Register. Reach her by email at mjpayne@registermedia.com. Follow her on X at @marissajpayne.

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Iowa

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Published

1 day ago

March 22, 2026

Press Room

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

We have officially closed the book on the 2025-26 Iowa girls high school basketball season with the crowning of state champions and individual all-state and player of the year awards being handed out by High School on SI.

Now, we take a sneak peek towards 2026-27 with a look at some of the top junior players in Iowa girls high school basketball. All numbers are from those listed on Bound.

Iowa Girls High School Basketball: Top Returning Juniors

Melina Snoozy, Sioux City Bishop Heelan

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Snoozy was dominant this past winter again, averaging 21.2 points to lead all juniors while adding eight rebounds, three assists and over two steals per game.

Kylee Pexa, Dunkerton

In addition to her 19 points a game, Pexa contributed almost five steals, five assists and 3.5 rebounds a game.

Ainley Ulrich, North Union

Ulrich nearly helped the Warriors reach the state tournament this past year after posting 20 points with five rebounds and 2.4 steals per game.

Izzy Gilbertson, Mount Ayr

At nearly 21 points and over nine rebounds per game, Gilbertson is a tough opponent to slow down. She also blocked four shots a night with 3.6 assists and 3.6 steals.

Maryn Franken, Sioux Center

Franken posted 20 points per game with nearly nine rebounds while also averaging six steals, three assists and a block to her stat line.

Taryn Petersen, Exira-EHK

Petersen was just a shade under 20 points per game for her team, adding in over six steals, five assists and four rebounds.

Cora Sauer, Lake Mills

Lake Mills went as Sauer did, reaching the regional final before falling to Bishop Garrigan. She contributed 19.7 points, six rebounds, almost four steals and just under four assists a game.

Lizzy Frazell, Waverly-Shell Rock

Frazell and the Go-Hawks continue to make a strong statement, as she finished the year averaging 19 points, six rebounds, three assists, three steals and two blocks.

Addy Wolfswinkel, Cherokee Washington

Wolfswinkel recently committed to Omaha to play volleyball, but she is strong on the basketball court as well, averaging 19 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and 2.5 steals.

Maggie McChesney, Glenwood

In addition to her 19.5 points per game, McChesney averaged eight rebounds, 3.5 steals, three assists and over a block.

KeaOnna Worley, Cedar Rapids Prairie

Watch out for a big senior season from Worley after producing 18 points, nearly five assists, over four rebounds and two steals.

Graclyn Eastman, Bishop Garrigan

Eastman and the Golden Bears reached the finals this past season in Class 1A, as she averaged 17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks, three steals and two assists.

Katie Muller, Dowling Catholic

The Maroons will lean heavily on Muller next year, as she steps in for sister Ellie Muller. This past year, she averaged 16.5 points, six rebounds, 3.6 assists and a steal.