Most of the most important public policy conversations don’t happen at the State Capitol. They happen in meeting rooms, restaurants, community centers, and other gathering places across Iowa, where people simply want to better understand the issues affecting their families and communities. Recently, ITR Foundation Policy Director John Hendrickson was invited to St. Charles to speak with Iowans a...
Ankeny, the largest city in Iowa without a Local Option Sales Tax (LOST), will once again ask voters whether to adopt the 1% tax during this September's special election. Before casting their ballots, voters should understand how the tax is collected, how the revenue is distributed among local governments, and what the city's commitment to use a portion of the revenue for "property tax relief" cou...
As Iowa students return to the classroom for another academic year, school board members elected last fall are beginning their first full school year in office. Although every Iowa public school district operates under the same basic framework established by state law, locally elected boards retain meaningful authority over staffing, educational programs, spending, facilities, and other district p...
This November, Iowans will vote on a constitutional amendment that would make it more difficult for the legislature to increase income taxes. Specifically, the amendment would require a two-thirds vote in both houses of the Iowa Legislature to increase individual or corporate income tax rates.
On August 10, 1874, Herbert Hoover was born in West Branch, Iowa. This year marks Hoover’s 152nd birthday, but it is also significant because it coincides with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the grand reopening of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. It is fitting that the reopening of the Hoover Museum comes during the 250th anniversary ...
One of the arguments made for legalizing marijuana has little to do with marijuana itself. Instead, it is presented as another potential source of tax revenue. That approach misses a much larger point, though. Governments are almost always searching for additional money to support additional spending. Whether the proposed tax is on marijuana, gambling, vaping, or something else, the promise is oft...
Immigration policy has been a recurring subject of debate throughout American history, and for the past decade it has consistently ranked among voters' top concerns. It has also become one of the most divisive issues within conservative policy circles. Some want to increase immigration levels as a way to bolster our workforce and grow our population, ultimately benefiting the broad economy. Oth...
Immigration is one of those issues where Washington seems determined to make everyone angry while solving almost nothing. Many Americans have real concerns. They worry about too many people coming too quickly, wages being pressured, schools and hospitals being strained, housing becoming less affordable, and cultural trust weakening in communities that already feel stretched. Those concerns shoul...
Benchmarking helps school boards make better decisions by comparing their district with true peer districts—not just nearby schools or statewide averages. Comparing districts with similar enrollment and student needs provides a more meaningful basis for evaluating staffing, spending, and student outcomes. The goal isn’t to copy another district—it’s to ask better questions. Benchmarking identifies...
New Jersey's voter registration error shows that election integrity depends on accurate systems, not just good intentions. A software glitch registered thousands of self-identified noncitizens, demonstrating how administrative failures can undermine public confidence. Iowa has strengthened safeguards, but recent audits show continued vigilance is necessary. Constitutional protections, citizenship...