West Virginia Gave Certificate of Need the Boot

West Virginia is only the latest state to take the step of eliminating restrictive barriers to health care, and Iowa should be the next. Policymakers in Iowa can increase access to health care and improve affordability by eliminating excessive restrictions on the expansion and introduction of facilities. Specifically, Iowa’s Certificate of Need (CON) laws limit patient access and provider competition. […]

Additional Taxpayer Protections on the Table

Further protection for the taxpayer can be good policy, but lawmakers must ensure there are no unintended consequences along the way. The Iowa Legislature is considering a joint resolution that would establish protections for Iowa taxpayers in the state constitution. Senate Study Bill 1207 and House Study Bill 232 propose two amendments. The first would require two-thirds of both chambers […]

The Stage Is Set for Next Year’s Budget

Iowa’s future has never looked brighter. When crafting the budget, policymakers must remain focused on limiting spending so our state can continue on the path to prosperity. The March Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) recently confirmed that revenue projections continue to be strong, demonstrating the resilience of Iowa’s economy. The REC is responsible for estimating state revenue, which is challenging when […]

It’s True: Iowa No Longer Taxes Retirement Income

Retirees provide countless hours of volunteer service and contribute to the culture of Iowa. Eliminating their retirement income taxes will encourage them to remain in the state. Last year, the Iowa Legislature passed an historic tax reform measure covering a variety of income sources. This legislation was not only the largest tax cut in Iowa history, but also the most […]

Reining in Iowa’s Administrative State

This article was published in the Des Moines Register, Cedar Rapids Gazette, and the Telegraph Herald. Iowa has 37 executive branch cabinet agencies — more than all neighboring states. The governor’s proposal is to reduce the number of executive-level agencies to 16, making government more efficient while saving taxpayer dollars. Since assuming office, Governor Kim Reynolds has placed a priority […]

Reducing the Regulatory Burden for Iowa

Governor Reynolds has issued an executive order that places a moratorium on new regulations and requires a review of existing rules. These are the exact reforms Iowans for Tax Relief Foundation have offered in the past. A reduction of the barriers of “red tape” will add to and amplify other reforms, moving Iowa toward a more-competitive economic climate.

Iowa Rising: Governor Kim Reynolds Continues to Champion Conservative Policies

Governor Kim Reynolds, after winning reelection in a landslide, delivered her sixth Condition of the State address where she continued to outline a conservative policy agenda. Governor Reynolds has led the state through natural disasters, the COVID pandemic, and through our current uncertain national economy. Since assuming office, Governor Reynolds has been a champion of conservative policies that place the taxpayer first and protect and defend traditional values. As a result, Iowa’s economy is strong, the tax code is more competitive, and as Governor Reynolds stated the state is “a beacon for freedom and opportunity.”

Roosevelt’s Revolution – The election of 1936 and the Triumph of New Deal Liberalism

David Pietrusza is both a gifted historian and storyteller. He is also the “Dean” of American presidential election history. His previous books focus on the elections of 1920, 1932, 1948, and 1960. All provide a rich narrative that explores the individuals, candidates and political environment that shaped these important presidential elections, which have lasting impact on both the nation and […]

Is Iowa Recession Ready?

Although Iowa’s economy will not be immune to a national recession or other outside pressures, the fiscal condition of the state is solid.   The national economy is on the verge of recession. Inflation is at a 40-year high and continues to be a major concern for the economy. Out-of-control spending, which is a leading cause of inflation, has been […]

Tax Foundation 2023 Business Tax Climate Index

Iowa’s tax climate is improving, and more work is needed to lower income and property taxes, but our state has made substantial progress. Once Iowa’s tax reform is fully implemented, it is estimated that Iowa will have the 13th-best tax ranking in the nation. The Tax Foundation has released the 2023 State Business Tax Climate Index, which ranks the states […]

A New Sales Tax is a LOST Opportunity

Increasing an existing tax or creating new ones rarely provides tax relief. The government tends to benefit more than the taxpayer. When cities sent local option sales tax (LOST) increases to the ballot, they told residents half of the new revenue would be directed toward property tax relief. To the contrary, as one frustrated Iowan in the Des Moines metro […]

Iowa’s Leading a Flat Tax Revolution

A flat tax revolution is sweeping the states. Iowa, Mississippi, Georgia, Arizona, and Idaho have all enacted legislation to move toward a flat income tax rate. “In more than a century of state income taxes, [until these recent changes,] only four states have ever transitioned from a graduated-rate income tax to a flat tax,” notes Jared Walczak, Vice President for State Projects at the Tax Foundation.

Conservative Budgeting Continues to Pay Off for Iowa

Governor Kim Reynolds announced that Iowa’s budget will end Fiscal Year 2022 with a $1.91 billion surplus, which follows Fiscal Year 2021’s $1.24 billion surplus. Iowa’s financial position is due to prudent budgeting and fiscally conservative policies. Governor Reynolds and the legislature are demonstrating that their fiscal policies work to create a healthy economy and a strong financial foundation.

Kraig Paulsen, who serves as the Director of both the Departments of Management and Revenue, stated that “Iowa’s strong financial status again proves that we continue to over collect from Iowa taxpayers.” As a result, Governor Reynolds and the legislature have made it a priority to return the money back to taxpayers.

Senator Jack Whitver: Iowa’s Quiet Conservative

In recent years, Iowa has led the nation in conservative policy reforms. Governor Kim Reynolds rightly deserves a great deal of credit for her leadership in implementing pro-growth tax reforms, championing a student-first approach to education, fighting against the woke cultural Marxist agenda and leading Iowa responsibility through the pandemic. Nevertheless, Governor Reynolds has been able to achieve many of these great accomplishments because of a conservative legislature. Iowa Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver is a “quiet conservative” who is not only an ally of the Governor but is a crucial leader who is advancing a conservative policy agenda.