How Are Iowa’s Schools Doing?
Explore the Data.Empower Your Community.
Explore the Data.Empower Your Community.
Iowans have always believed in doing things the right way. We believe in living within our means, keeping government in check, and making sure families—not bureaucrats—decide how to spend their hard-earned dollars. Those principles guide everything we do at Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation. In this issue, you’ll find timely and thought-provoking articles that highlight the growing challenges—and ...
Iowa takes nearly $12 billion a year from Washington—but every federal dollar comes with rules that limit our freedom and local control. As the national debt soars past $37 trillion, Iowa risks being left behind when the federal money runs out. To protect our schools, communities, and future, Iowa must start preparing now to stand on its own—before it’s too late.
Constitutional protections exist for other state funds, and it is time for Iowa taxpayers to receive that same benefit.
What would Alexander Hamilton or George Washington think today of our dependence on foreign nations, and even hostile nations, for necessities?
The Mississippi Legislature has passed an income tax reform measure that will gradually eliminate the income tax in the Magnolia State altogether. Many policy experts believed state tax reform efforts would slow down as a result of the national economic uncertainty and state budgets that are tightening up. However, this is not the case. In fact, this year many state legislatures are continuing to...
For families just trying to get by, this is not the time to raise taxes—especially hidden ones that show up in the cost of groceries and gas. When I talk to folks across the country—from shop owners to factory workers—they all want the same thing: more opportunity, not more obstacles. That’s why it pains me to see tariffs making a comeback. While they’re pitched as protecting American jobs, tarif...
Protectionism does not mean a rejection of trade, but rather a realistic approach that places the interests of the American economy first. “I believe in the protective tariff policy and know we will be calling for its saving Americanism again,” stated President Warren G. Harding. Over a hundred years later, President Donald Trump is implementing a tariff policy to restore the American economy. P...
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 can focus on what truly matters: student success. Whether you’re a parent wanting the best for your child, a taxpayer who wants to know how your dollars are being spent, or a community leader shaping policy—this website is for you.
Iowa’s fiscal house is in order. Despite tax cuts reducing revenue as planned, the state can meet its obligations.
As a physician, my inclination is generally to respect scientific authorities—but I found the skepticism from the right more compelling than the trusting attitude of the left. After all, the essence of science is not trust, but doubt. Like many Americans, my trust in science was shaken during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were informed by public health authorities that the novel coronavirus could no...
Here’s the real question Iowans need to ask—do we want a government-driven economy that takes more of our hard-earned money, or do we want to grow the private sector that allows us to keep more of those dollars? Critics are currently pointing to Iowa’s 1.7 percent GDP growth as evidence that Governor Kim Reynolds’ fiscal policies aren’t working. These critics often highlight progressive states a...
Nebraska’s proximity to Iowa provides a sterling example of how taxpayers can win as state’s put forth competing tax policies. In response to Iowa’s shrinking income tax rates and retirement-tax elimination, Nebraska’s legislature enacted significant income tax cuts of their own in 2023 to remain competitive with their neighbors to the east. But they failed to balance these cuts with correspondin...
As a physician, the most interesting part of this second Trump administration—of MAGA 2.0—is the MAHA (Make America Healthy Again) component. Such a focus is sorely needed, as Americans’ health has clearly deteriorated over the past few decades. A useful overall metric is longevity. In my first 50 years, life expectancy rose from just under 70 years to nearly 79 years by 2010. This was driven lar...
Each year, property owners receive updated assessments of their real estate values, often leading to concerns that higher assessments directly cause an increase in property taxes. While we don’t want to immediately dismiss every concern about assessments and valuations, we have to remind everyone of the root cause of growing property tax bills: spending decisions made by local governments. Valuat...