Highlights in this edition:

• Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Relief for Farmers Passes House Floor
  • DEF began to be required in farm machinery under the Green New Deal
• House Passes Social Studies Standards…..Again
  • Students should not be taught political opinions such as that America is racist
• House Passes MAHA Bill - Republicans Support, Democrats Oppose
  • This bill prohibits schools and vendors from serving breakfast and lunch that contain blue dye 1 and 2, green dye 3, potassium bromate, propylparaben, red dye 40, yellow dye 5 and 6
• Republicans Advance Strong Anti-Crime Bills
  • HF 2542 addresses the revolving door we see too often in our justice system

Highlights in this edition:

• Backfilling TIF Continues to Grow
  • The state holds schools harmless from any negative property tax impact to their funding by replacing the lost property tax revenue through the school finance formula
• Screen Time Limited in K-5 Legislation 
  • A National Institutes of Health study of over 11,000 children found that more than 2 hours of daily screen time correlates with lower scores on language and thinking tests
• House Passes Bill to Improve Election Laws
  • Thanks to the consistent work of the House Republican Caucus, Iowa's elections are already safe, secure, and efficient 
• House Bill Requires Commercial Drivers to Speak English
  • The bill requires those applying for or renewing a CDL to demonstrate English proficiency

Highlights in this edition:

• Iowa Schools Spend Almost $24,000 Per K-12 Student
  • Almost $24,000 per student and nearly $11.5 billion total on K-12 is a significant amount of taxpayer investment in K-12 schools
• Iowans Gain Right to Repair Under House Republican Legislation
  • As farm equipment has become more technologically advanced, some companies have retained information essential to repairing farm equipment
• Republicans Advance MAHA Legislation
  • Requires continuing education on nutrition for certain doctors and physician assistants
• Republicans Advance Welfare Reform
  • Allows DHHS to require proof of at least 12 months of residency in Iowa on applications for public assistance
• Bill to Move City and School Elections to Even Years Advances
  • This change likely means more civic engagement and higher voter turnout for city and school elections
• State and Federal Water Quality Programs In Iowa Reach Over $500 Million Annually
  • Efforts are ongoing but progress on Iowa’s water quality is real and accelerating

Highlights in this edition:

• Iowa Car Insurance Costs Continue to Decrease
  • A 25% decline in average premiums in 2025 is another win for Iowa drivers 
• Per Pupil Funding Increases, School Staff Increases, but Enrollment is Down
  • Iowa needs more babies, more children, more students
• Republicans Focus Welfare Programs on True Safety-Net
  • Allows DHHS to require proof of at least 12 months of residency in Iowa on applications for public assistance
• House Republicans Advance Bill to Strengthen Iowa’s Bail System
  • Those accused of violent crimes, weapons offenses, or drug-related crimes would be required to post bail before release

Highlights in this edition:

• Audits of the State Auditor’s Office Are Behind Schedule
  • Why is his own agency running over three years behind?
• House Republican Efforts to Improve Farm Profitability
  • One part of that effort is the Iowa Farm Act
• Iowa AG Sues 18 PBMs and Insulin Manufacturers for Inflating Insulin Prices
  • Iowa diabetics have been overcharged millions of dollars a year because of the insulin pricing scheme
• Iowa House Republicans Introduce Iowa Skilled Workforce Act
  • The bill is a strategic partnership between the state, schools, and the trades to help shape and train the next generation of workers in high-demand jobs
• House GOP Property Tax Bill Clears Subcommittee
  • The first $25,000 of every residential parcel is exempt from taxable value after the rollback is calculated

Highlights in this edition:

• When Democrats Controlled the Budget
  • Democrats don't even know how many genders there are, why should Iowans trust them to run the state budget? 
• Education Committee Passes Bill Requiring Cash to be Accepted at Athletic Events
  • HF 2079 states that legal tender shall be accepted as a form of payment for entry into any extracurricular interscholastic athletic contest or competition
• After 37 Years, Regents Program Appears to Have Accomplished its Goal
  • The number of women and minority educators at Iowa's universities has increased
• Providing Public Safety and Humane Treatment
  • House File 2094 expands capacity at the state Mental Health Institutes and allows for additional federal funding to pay for that expansion
• House Republicans Announce Anti-Crime Bills
  • Safe neighborhoods are a top priority for Iowans

Highlights in this edition: 

• Casino Tax Revenue Slips While Sports Wagering Collections Take Off in December
  • Through the first six months of FY 2026, sports wagering tax collections are $2.2 million higher than what the state collected during the same period in FY 2025
• New Iowa America 250 Webinar Series Highlights American Founding
  • The Iowa Department of Education is offering the series for K-12 educators across the state to help guide classroom instruction and discussion regarding the important historical events related to the founding of America
• Clarifying Property Rights and Eminent Domain 
  • HF 2104 prevents companies seeking to build carbon oxide pipelines from using eminent domain to take land when a property owner is unwilling to negotiate terms for its use
• Iowa House Republicans Release Property Tax Reform Bill
  • After rollback, all residential parcels will receive a $25,000 exemption from value
• Reminder: Retirement Income Tax Exempt Since 2023
  • Traditional IRAs, Roth IRAs, 401(k)'s, 457(b)'s and pensions including IPERS all qualify for this exemption