The average property tax increase for the 75 counties affected by valuation-based restrictions was still 7.6%. After the passage of a property tax reform law in 2023 (HF718), many local elected officials complained that the restrictions on property tax revenue growth limited their ability to provide for their residents. With some time having passed, available data show exactly how many […]
Iowa has more than enough money to pay for its financial obligations and budget priorities. 30-Second Summary: 1. Strong Fiscal Position: Despite lower revenue projections due to tax cuts, Iowa has sufficient funds to meet obligations, maintain reserves, and continue budget priorities. Surpluses are projected to remain robust, with a $3.9 billion Taxpayer Relief Fund balance expected by FY 2025. [...
The flat tax represents a significant step toward a simpler, fairer, and more prosperous future, ensuring economic growth and stability for generations to come. In just a few weeks, Iowa will transition to a flat income tax, marking a significant change for the state. Beginning in January 2025, Iowans will experience the benefits of this reform, which allows them to […]
This article was published in the Telegraph Herald. The state’s notorious property taxes, are getting in the way of broader economic prosperity in Iowa and should be lowered for everyone instead of just a select group of economic development projects. Iowa’s elected officials constantly tell us that state and local governments need to offer economic development, tax abatements and other […]
This article was published in Governing. Iowa has helped prompt other states to adopt flat income tax rates. To bring down property taxes, the state has to address local government spending. Iowa’s emergence as the beacon of pro-growth income tax reform is no accident. It’s the result of disciplined budgeting and bold leadership under Gov. Kim Reynolds and forward-thinking lawmakers. […]
This article was published in the Des Moines Register and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Iowa faces unique challenges, but lowering tax rates, conservative budgeting, and reducing the regulatory burden are the foundations for a strong economy and a stable fiscal house. Iowa is quickly becoming a beacon for economic growth and opportunity thanks in large part to Governor Kim Reynolds. […]
This article was published in The Courier, National Review, and The Gazette. What DOGE should learn from Hoover is that eliminating waste and reducing the administrative state are noble policy goals, but even more important is the restoration of constitutional principles back to government. Former President Herbert Hoover described the federal government as having “the instincts of a vegetable” wh...
By shining a light on the obligations tied to federal funds, Iowa can take steps to reduce dependency on federal dollars, creating more room for tax cuts and future-proofing the state’s finances. Iowa’s recent history of tax reform has been marked by four rounds of significant income tax cuts with an ongoing interest among lawmakers and taxpayers in further reductions, […]
Income taxes are paid at the state level and are used for state government functions. Property taxes, on the other hand, are paid at the local level and used for local government functions. There is not a connection between the two types of taxes. In the complex world of taxation, blame for painful bills is tossed around like a scalding hot […]
By prioritizing taxpayer interests and limiting government expansion, Iowa has created an environment where economic freedom and opportunity can flourish. Fiscal restraint is essential to ensuring long-term fiscal health. Executive Summary Iowa’s steadfast commitment to conservative budgeting demonstrates how fiscally responsible governance benefits all, fostering an environment of economic ...
This article was published in American Habits. The solution for true property tax relief remains simple: creating more accountability and curbing spending at the local level. In 1934, to provide property tax relief, Iowa levied the state’s first sales and income taxes. Iowa was struggling with the economic impact of the Great Depression, and a sales and income tax provided […]
