May 18, 2026

Freedom to Flourish Competes for Growth

Iowa has pursued a fiscally conservative, growth-oriented strategy centered on lower taxes, restrained spending, and economic competitiveness under Governor Reynolds’ “Freedom to Flourish” philosophy. Recent reforms have strengthened the state’s fiscal position and improved its ability to compete for residents and investment. For Midwestern states like Iowa, long-term success will depend less on geography and more on affordability, fiscal stability, economic opportunity, and disciplined governance.

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Governance
March 24, 2026

Spending Control Equals Property Tax Relief

Property taxes are rising faster than incomes: In both Iowa and Texas, collections have surged well beyond inflation and population growth, putting increasing pressure on homeowners and businesses. The core driver is spending growth: As local government budgets expand, property tax bills follow—making spending restraint central to any long-term solution. Lasting relief requires structural reform: Short-term fixes like credits or rebates help temporarily, but aligning spending growth with economic realities is key to making property taxes more predictable and sustainable.

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Taxes, Spending, & Budget
March 11, 2026

Iowa’s High Property Tax Burden is Detering Economic Competitiveness

Iowa has made major progress on tax reform, moving from 43rd to 17th in the Tax Foundation’s Tax Competitiveness Index after cutting income and corporate tax rates—but high property taxes remain a major weakness in the state’s tax structure. Property taxes have grown rapidly, increasing more than 107% over the past two decades and reaching over $6 billion annually, largely driven by local government spending decisions that affect homeowners and businesses alike. Governor Reynolds’ proposal for a 2% cap on property tax growth aims to slow spending growth, encourage fiscal discipline at the local level, and strengthen Iowa’s long-term economic competitiveness without cutting existing services.

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Taxes, Spending, & Budget
March 8, 2026

Iowa’s high property tax burden is deterring economic competitiveness

In recent years, Iowa has seen dramatic improvements in tax competitiveness. According to the Tax Foundation’s Tax Competitiveness Index, the state’s tax policy improved enough between 2020 and 2025 to move from a rank of 43 to a rank of 17. Still, Iowa has one glaring hole in its tax policy: a high and burdensome property tax. If the state wants to maintain a vibrant population, substantial property tax reform is necessary. Local spending is a key driver of high property taxes, so these problems must be addressed in tandem.

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Editorials
October 10, 2025

Government spending does not drive economic growth

Iowa has been rated as one of the most fiscally prudent states for several years running, due to sound tax and spending policies. Yet thanks in part to a recent downturn in the agricultural economy, economic growth in the state has slowed. Additionally, the state has been losing residents to other states every year since 2013, and has one of the highest outflows of young residents with bachelor’s degrees, leading to some concern over a potential “brain drain.” Though government spending is often lauded as a tool for addressing these sorts of trends, Iowa will be better served by continuing to follow a path of fiscal conservatism.

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Editorials
September 11, 2025

Government Spending Does Not Drive Economic Growth 

Iowa has been rated as one of the most fiscally prudent states for several years running, due to sound tax and spending policies. Yet thanks in part to a recent downturn in the agricultural economy, economic growth in the state has slowed.

Additionally, the state has been losing residents to other states every year since 2013 and has one of the highest outflows of young residents with bachelor’s degrees, leading to some concern over a potential “brain drain.”

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Editorials
December 16, 2024

Governor Kim Reynolds Sets the Gold Standard for State Fiscal Policy

This article was published in the Des Moines Register and the Iowa City Press-Citizen. Iowa faces unique challenges, but lowering tax rates, conservative budgeting, and reducing the regulatory burden are the foundations for a strong economy and a stable fiscal house. Iowa is quickly becoming a beacon for economic growth and opportunity thanks in large part to Governor Kim Reynolds. […]

John Hendrickson and Meg Tuszynski Governance
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Let’s be honest, big government is big bureaucracy, and common sense tells us big bureaucracy is ineffective. That’s why ITR Foundation works to:

  • Research principled solutions
  • Educate Iowans about our solutions
  • Activate Iowans in support of our solutions

By applying the principles of limited government, free enterprise, and the rule of law to public policy, we can ensure all Iowans will have the opportunity to succeed.

ITR Foundation set the policy groundwork for many recent taxpayer victories in Iowa:

  • Increased property tax transparency and spending restraint
  • A 3.8% flat individual income tax rate
  • Elimination of income taxes on retirement income
  • Elimination of inheritance tax
  • Creating a path to reduce corporate income tax to 5.5%
  • Phasing-out special tax incentives in the corporate tax code
  • Banning local universal basic income programs