- ITR Foundation

An Ugly Truth and a Dose of Reality

Over the next few weeks, Americans—if paying attention—will hear all kinds of projections and baselines about spending, deficits, and the national debt. The ugly truth is that spending will continue to rise. “In 1930, prior to President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, federal outlays were 3.5% of GDP, while state and…

The Schultz Doctrine: You Can’t Cut Taxes Without Controlling Spending

Iowa Senator Jason Schultz has offered a rule that should guide every serious conversation about tax reform: “Tax policy is affected by spending. And when you start seeing spending creeping up… you can’t have good tax policy.” That’s the Schultz Doctrine—and it’s playing out clearly in Iowa’s ongoing property tax…

Iowa’s Dependency on Federal Funds: A Growing Concern

Local governments in Iowa have grown increasingly reliant on federal funding. Since 2009, cities across the state have received an average of $416 million annually from federal sources. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Iowa cities took in $545 million in federal dollars—forming a significant share of their total revenue. At…

Is President Trump’s trade policy helping or hurting?

Tariffs are dominating the headlines, but even fiscal conservatives can’t seem to agree. So we’re doing something different by bringing BOTH SIDES of the debate right to you. So, where do you stand?

The Property Tax Solution

Iowans Demand Property Tax Relief: 2% Cap Gains Support

Property Tax Cap Would Save $250 Million

ITR Foundation Editorials

Iowa’s fiscal discipline works — despite what Dems say

In defense of Trump’s tariff and trade policies

Consider importance of taxpayer protections

Federalism: A Cornerstone of American Governance

Property Taxes

How are your property taxes being spent?

Find out at ITR Local.

The Hendrickson Report

Insight from John Hendrickson

Tariffs Are Taxes—and They Put Americans Last

It’s True: Iowa No Longer Taxes Retirement Income

Economic Patriotism from Hamilton to Trump

Honor Patrick J. Buchanan with Presidential Medal of Freedom

Understanding Assessments and Property Taxes

Cities and Homeowners Must Replace Lead Pipes Under New Biden Administration Plan

About ITR Foundation

Let’s be honest, big government is big bureaucracy, and common sense tells us big bureaucracy is ineffective. That’s why ITR Foundation works to:

Research principled solutions
Educate Iowans about our solutions
Activate Iowans in support of our solutions

By applying the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and the rule of law to public policy, we can ensure all Iowans will have the opportunity to succeed.

Making a Difference

ITR Foundation set the policy groundwork for many recent taxpayer victories in Iowa:

Increased property tax transparency and spending restraint
A 3.8% flat individual income tax rate by 2025
Elimination of income taxes on retirement income
Elimination of inheritance tax
Creating a path to reduce corporate income tax to 5.5%
Phasing-out special tax incentives in the corporate tax code
Banning local universal basic income programs

Stay Updated

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Editorials

Iowa’s fiscal discipline works — despite what Dems say

In defense of Trump’s tariff and trade policies

Consider importance of taxpayer protections

All ITR Foundation Editorials

Taxes & Spending

An Ugly Truth and a Dose of Reality

Over the next few weeks, Americans—if paying attention—will hear all kinds of projections and baselines about spending, deficits, and the national debt. The ugly…

The Schultz Doctrine: You Can’t Cut Taxes Without Controlling Spending

Iowa Senator Jason Schultz has offered a rule that should guide every serious conversation about tax reform: “Tax policy is affected by spending. And…

From Flat Tax to No Tax: Mississippi’s Bold Fiscal Move

The Mississippi Legislature has passed an income tax reform measure that will gradually eliminate the income tax in the Magnolia State altogether. Many policy…

Is Your School Making the Grade?

ITR Report Card is unlike anything else in the country, it’s a vital tool that brings transparency and accountability to the forefront—so school boards…