Just as individuals prioritize essential expenses in their personal budgets, local governments must focus their spending on these critical needs. When policymakers discuss taxes and how public revenue should be allocated, the phrases “core government services” and “essential services” often come up. But what do these terms really mean, and why are they so significant?
Governor Kim Reynolds recently delivered her Condition of the State Address, outlining her legislative priorities and emphasizing Iowa’s fiscal strength, achieved through conservative policies. “I can say, once again, that the condition of our state is strong,” she stated. This strength is especially evident in Iowa’s fiscal foundation, as the state ranks as the most fiscally conservative in the n...
Governor Kim Reynolds recently joined several Republican governors in sending a letter to congressional leaders expressing their support for President Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). President Trump appointed entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy (who has since departed the project) to lead DOGE, which is tasked with reducing bureaucracy, waste, and regulation with...
Originally Published in the: Do Washington policymakers follow Reynolds’ path of fiscal conservatism to lower taxes and balanced budgets? Or Walz’s path of higher taxes, higher spending, and higher deficits? Iowa and Minnesota are midwestern neighbors who have taken vastly different fiscal policy paths in recent years. They have arrived at quite different destinations, with one looking at lower ta...
Originally Published In: The root cause of these rising taxes isn’t increasing property values; it’s excessive government spending. Local governments have expanded their budgets without considering taxpayers’ ability to pay. Property taxes are crushing taxpayers nationwide, and Iowa is no exception. In the past two decades, Iowa’s property taxes have surged by more than 110%, with local governmen...
Originally Published In: Borrowing a page from Calvin Coolidge, Trump should seek to reduce spending, pay down the national debt, lower tax rates, and limit immigration. President Trump’s announcement about the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to be jointly directed by entrepreneurs Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy has created much excitement about the potential for reducing...
Increased transparency ensures accountability and provides opportunities to push back against unwarranted federal interference. States like Iowa have shown that legislators remain responsive to constituent input, making public awareness a powerful tool for addressing federal overreach. State-based solutions are critical in addressing federal government overreach and ensuring local governance remai...
It’s about restoring accountability and empowering state governments to innovate and address challenges unique to their populations. States have proven their ability to implement effective reforms when given the freedom to do so. The case for state-level governance over federal intervention is clear: states are more attuned to the unique needs of their citizens and can manage resources more effect...
Iowa is home to 940 incorporated cities, and their property taxes increased approximately 7% in total over last year’s collections. That percentage represents almost $115 million more taken from residents in just one year, even with restrictions set forth in 2023’s property tax reform law (HF718). Out of the 934 cities evaluated from fiscal year 2024 (FY24) to FY25, 320 […]
Cities collectively increased property taxes on their residents by nearly $115 million, even with the restrictions set forth in the property tax reform law. Iowa is home to 940 incorporated cities, and their property taxes increased approximately 7% in total over last year’s collections. That percentage represents almost $115 million more taken from residents in just one year, even with […]
The perception that federal bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., know better than state leaders fosters frustration, particularly in states like Iowa, where policymakers believe they are more attuned to their citizens’ needs. Federalism, the division of power between the federal government and the states, profoundly influences the practical aspects of state-level lawmaking. While this system is design...
Reform-minded legislators must navigate criticism and resistance, often from entrenched interests benefiting from the status quo. In this pivotal moment, federalism offers a pathway to reform, resilience, and renewal. State legislatures must rise to the occasion, embracing their role as the stewards of localized governance and champions of the people’s will. Federalism has long been a cornerstone ...
Federalism reflects the vision of the nation’s founders, who sought to balance the need for a strong national government with the preservation of state sovereignty. Federalism is a foundational principle of the American system of government. At its core, federalism refers to the division of power between the federal government and the individual states. This concept, embedded in the U.S. […...
Federalism is an essential part of how our government works. This system, set up in the U.S. Constitution, was created by the founders to balance a strong federal government with the independence of each state. Learning about the history and changes in federalism helps us understand its lasting impact on American laws and government. What is Federalism Federalism reflects the […]
With states dependent on the federal government, administrative and welfare state costs at an all-time high, and $36 trillion in national debt, the nation’s economic security is on thin ice. The historical documentary by Ken Burns, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History, sparked further discussion about the historical legacies of Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt. The Roosevelts is another powerf...
For the first time in state history, local governments collected over $7 billion in property taxes. In fiscal year 2025, Iowa property taxpayers reached an unprecedented milestone. For the first time in state history, local governments collected over $7 billion in property taxes during the fiscal year. This landmark was driven by a 6.79% increase in property tax collections compared […]
The “limits” placed on cities and counties by the recent property tax reform failed to address the direct cause of property tax increases: local government spending. Iowans are growing frustrated with high property taxes. In the last few election cycles, election officials from both political parties have remarked that a top concern that Iowans have shared consistently has been high [&...