In November 1620, after arriving in Cape Cod, the Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact before setting foot on land. Though often overlooked today, the Compact remains a foundational document in the development of American constitutionalism and self-government. Constitutional scholar James McClellan wrote that by adopting the Compact, the Pilgrims brought a contractual theory of government to the ...
America’s earliest settlers believed government existed only to protect natural rights—especially property—not to manage society. Families, churches, and communities handled most social needs through voluntary cooperation, cultivating a citizenry capable of self-rule. This founding worldview clashes with today’s rising property-tax burdens. Drawing on John Locke’s social-contract theory, the artic...
Iowa outperforms Nebraska on tax policy, climbing rapidly in national competitiveness rankings thanks to major tax reforms, while Nebraska continues to lag behind in several key categories. Iowa’s pro-growth tax “playbook”—including a flat 3.8% income tax, elimination of retirement income and inheritance taxes—has strengthened its economic position and attracted migration from neighboring states ...
The U.S. is preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, yet rising national debt and dependence on foreign supply chains, especially China, threaten America’s economic independence. Without major reforms, the U.S. faces soaring interest costs, impending insolvency in major entitlement programs, and reduced federal support for states, including Iowa, which reli...
President Trump is considering $2,000 tariff-funded rebate checks to help Americans with affordability challenges, but the plan risks worsening inflation and adds long-term uncertainty amid already severe federal debt and deficits. For long-term economic growth, policymakers should focus on pro-growth measures such as spending cuts, deregulation, energy expansion, and responsible tax policy rather...
The legislative session is almost two months away, but the Iowans for Tax Relief (ITR) team had a busy week engaging legislators, local leaders, and Iowa voters on the topics of property tax reform and spending restraint. ITR leaders reinforced the organization’s commitment to advancing sound fiscal policy and providing clear, accessible information that helps Iowans understand how government spen...
Just a few years ago, the Tax Foundation ranked Iowa among the worst states for business tax climates. In 2020, Iowa placed 43rd in the State Tax Competitiveness Index. Thanks to the pro-growth policies of Gov. Kim Reynolds and the Legislature, Iowa has since climbed to 17th — a remarkable improvement. Yet despite this progress, Iowa still ranks 33rd nationally in property tax burden.
Iowans overwhelmingly want property tax relief, with 72% supporting a 2% cap on total property tax collections, signaling broad bipartisan demand for reform. Local government spending is the primary driver of rising property taxes, meaning any effective reform must focus on controlling spending and improving efficiency. Governor Reynolds is urging local governments to follow the state’s example by...
To provide sustainable tax relief, Iowa must ensure that local government budgets grow no faster than taxpayers’ ability to pay. Limiting spending, coupled with responsible budgeting, is the cornerstone of true reform. Additional steps should also be considered. Local governments can improve efficiency by consolidating services, adopting zero-based budgeting, and regularly reviewing services to el...
Proposals to tax out-of-state landowners at higher rates may sound appealing, but they raise significant concerns about fairness, economic consequences, and constitutionality. The U.S. Constitution—through the Privileges and Immunities Clause, Equal Protection Clause, and Commerce Clause—prohibits states from disadvantaging non-residents in property taxation, and courts have repeatedly struck down...
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has made property tax reform the centerpiece of his reelection campaign, emphasizing that meaningful relief is impossible without controlling local government spending. Abbott’s proposed reforms—including strict spending caps, a two-thirds voter requirement for tax increases, and a rollback election option—aim to curb runaway local budgets and increase taxpayer protectio...
True fiscal strength means standing on our own two feet—by knowing where every federal dollar goes, demanding transparency, and reasserting control within our own borders. The Iowa Fiscal Independence Act is the path toward lasting autonomy, responsible government, and a stronger future for Iowa taxpayers. For years, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation has warned that Iowa’s growing reliance on Washi...
Fitch Ratings warns that Washington’s growing debt and spending reductions are pushing more fiscal responsibilities—like SNAP and Medicaid costs—onto state governments, exposing them to greater financial risk. Iowa remains fiscally strong thanks to conservative budgeting, but with 34% of its revenue tied to federal funds, changes from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” and future federal austerity could...
For years, Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation has warned that Iowa’s growing reliance on Washington’s money would come with consequences. When the flow of federal dollars slows or stops, programs stall, services falter, and state budgets are left to pick up the pieces. Those warnings have proved correct. From federal policy changes in President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill to the current go...
Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation Policy Director John Hendrickson recently joined leading economists and policy experts from across the continent at the 2025 Economic Freedom of North America (EFNA) Network Conference, sponsored by the Fraser Institute and the Bridwell Institute for Economic Freedom at Southern Methodist University. The EFNA network brings together organizations committed to advan...
"Property taxes are an issue. And I think voters are being more picky," said Sarah Curry with Iowans for Tax Relief, a group that advocates for lower taxes. Curry says that while some metro voters were willing to accept higher taxes to fund new schools, many Iowans elsewhere were not. "When we look statewide, there were actually 25 bonds that passed and 33 failed. Knoxville, Panorama, I-35 — all...
Iowa voters considered 58 bond proposals totaling more than $1.7 billion in potential new borrowing. A majority (57%) of those proposals failed, with only 25 proposals (43%) gaining approval. Many repeat proposals were rejected again, showing continued taxpayer concern about property taxes and government spending. Just over $1 billion in new debt was approved, with nearly $700 million denied.
Across Iowa, more than 40 county hospitals receive a portion of their funding from local property taxpayers, totaling more than $150 million a year. These facilities are often essential—especially in rural areas where they may be the only source of emergency care. But when public dollars are involved, financial transparency takes on heightened importance. One key question Iowans are always entitle...
School bond campaigns often highlight levy rates to suggest affordability, but that figure alone doesn’t reveal how districts spend—or the true cost to taxpayers and students. Looking at districtwide per-student expenditures provides a clearer picture of financial trends and priorities. For instance, Des Moines’ per-student spending is up 24% in five years, and Southeast Polk’s has risen 66%. Dist...