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

Highlights in this edition:

• Governor Releases FY 2027 Budget Proposal
  • The largest increase in the Governor’s proposed budget goes to state aid to public schools
• House Democrats Budget Track Record
  • The last time Democrats had control of the Iowa House of Representatives they created a billion-dollar budget hole without the reserves to protect key priorities
• Home and Auto Insurance Rates Continue to Decrease
  • One way to improve the cost of living for Iowans is decreasing insurance rates with increased competition and market stabilization 
• New Legislative Session Provides an Opportunity to Find Efficiency
  • The 2025 DOGE Task Force recommendations highlighted opportunities for Iowa’s counties and cities to incorporate new technology to provide efficiencies, pool resources in order to save expenses, and to eliminate requirements that hinder local governments’ ability to provide quick and effective services
• Governor Unveils Property Tax Bill
  • The main provision of the bill is a budget limitation on local tax authorities that limits locals to a two percent increase in revenue year over year