America is Turning 250, but Debt is Pushing Independence Away

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 relies heavily on federal funds.

Rebates or Restraint With Tariff Revenue?

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 than short-term cash payments that echo past inflation-driving stimulus efforts.

Iowans Want Lower Property Taxes—Local Governments Must Change Course

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 consolidating services, modernizing operations, and adopting cost-saving measures—because without meaningful spending restraint, tax relief will remain out of reach.

Taxing Out-of-State Landowners May Feel Good—but It’s Unconstitutional

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 similar attempts. Real property-tax relief in Iowa will not come from targeting certain groups of taxpayers but from tackling the true source of rising tax bills: unchecked local government spending.

The Lone Star Blueprint for Fixing Property Taxes

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 protections. Iowa lawmakers, preparing their own 2026 property tax reform efforts, can draw lessons from Texas: real relief requires limiting local spending, improving transparency, and preventing workarounds that bypass voter accountability.

Iowa Depends on Washington—and That’s a Problem We Can Fix

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 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.

Fitch Warns States to Prepare for Reduced Federal Support

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 strain state finances. To safeguard Iowa’s independence and long-term stability, policymakers must prepare for shrinking federal aid, limit spending growth, and reinforce the constitutional balance of federalism.

Iowa’s Flat Tax Success Should Inspire the Next Chapter of Reform

Over six years, Iowa has climbed from 44th to 17th in the Tax Foundation’s competitiveness rankings—proof that years of conservative budgeting and tax reform have turned one of America’s least-friendly tax codes into a national model.
Governor Kim Reynolds’ 3.8% flat income tax, paired with falling corporate rates and a strong Taxpayer Relief Fund, has made Iowa a regional leader for growth and investment—outpacing neighboring states and inspiring others like Georgia to follow suit.
To sustain its momentum, Iowa must address high property taxes, apply the same spending discipline at the local level, responsibly lower the flat rate using revenue triggers, and safeguard taxpayer protections to keep its pro-growth policies permanent.

Too Many Reform Ideas May Miss the Mark

Iowa’s property tax crisis is fundamentally a spending challenge, not a revenue challenge. As lawmakers continue to debate reform, they should focus squarely on limiting local government budgets—including those of school districts. The key to lasting property tax relief lies not in shifting dollars around, but in spending discipline at every level of government.

Avoid the D.C. Dysfunction: Iowa Needs a “No Shutdown” Rule

Federal Dysfunction, Local Lesson: As Washington’s government shutdown drags on, it highlights the risk of partisan gridlock — something Iowa must guard against in its own budgeting process.

Budget Continuity Needed: Without clear rules, an Iowa budget impasse could threaten key services. A budget-continuation or automatic continuing resolution would ensure government operations continue smoothly until a new budget is passed.

Limit Political Games: Establishing a budget-continuity policy would prevent Iowa from mirroring the fiscal dysfunction seen in Washington and other states. Neither a governor nor the legislature could use the threat of a shutdown as political leverage.

Iowa’s Quiet Conservative: Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver

Describing his policy objectives, Senator Whitver has said, “In one sentence, here’s the plan: cut taxes, control spending, reform government, and let Iowans be great.” In 2024, Governing magazine honored Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds as “Public Official of the Year” for her numerous policy achievements — including historic tax reform, parental choice in education, state government reform, and defending traditional values. For two years, the CATO Institute honored Governor Reynolds as the most fiscally conservative governor in the nation. Perhaps her most-significant award has come from voters, who expanded Republican majorities in state government.

Iowa’s Path Forward Requires the Resolve of an Iron Lady

“There is no such thing as public money; there is only taxpayers’ money,” stated former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

That timeless truth should guide Iowa policymakers as they approach the challenge of property tax reform. Across the nation, states are stumbling over how to address property taxes. A common excuse is that the system is both technical and complicated. Iowa’s property tax system is indeed technical and complicated—but that cannot be an excuse to delay or prevent reform.

Federal Spending Cuts and the Real Threat to Liberty

As part of his effort to reduce federal spending, President Donald Trump directed his administration to scrutinize budgets and cut unnecessary programs. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recommended eliminating $1 million in grant funding for the University of Iowa’s International Writing Program (IWP), which had received federal support for more than 58 years.

The IWP is described “the oldest and largest multicultural writing residency in the world.” With federal funds eliminated, the University turned to private donations, grants, gifts, and even foreign support to keep the program alive, ultimately sponsoring 23 international writers.