Iowa voters considered 58 bond proposals totaling more than $1.7 billion in potential new borrowing. A majority (57%) of those proposals failed, while only 25 (43%) gained approval. https://t.co/SC7SVjzvIH

Across Iowa, more than 40 county hospitals receive a portion of their funding from local property taxpayers, totaling more than $150 million a year. These facilities are often essential—especially in rural areas where they may be the only source of emergency care. But when public

School bond campaigns often highlight levy rates to suggest affordability, but that figure alone doesn’t reveal how districts spend—or the true cost to taxpayers and students. Looking at districtwide per-student expenditures provides a clearer picture of financial trends and

Chronic absenteeism is not just a statistic — it’s an early warning sign of academic failure and long-term disengagement. Students who miss significant instructional time fall behind in reading, math, and other subjects. https://t.co/9EfdDasd1u

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. https://t.co/AcJRQQZQbZ

Iowa lawmakers should focus on spending limits—like a 2% annual cap on property tax growth—rather than new taxes or state “buy-downs,” ensuring lasting relief through disciplined local budgets. https://t.co/6ddw6ylYfC

Schools have a core mission: to educate students. In every facet of life, a mission should guide how funds are spent. In education, that means every dollar should first support teaching and learning needs. Only after those needs are met should districts fund what’s considered

Governor Kim Reynolds’ effort to make government more efficient took another major step forward with the release of the final report from the Iowa Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Task Force. https://t.co/nOYPS3dT67

A tax cut avoided is still a tax increase. Voters should ask: Is this essential or just nice to have? https://t.co/sgnWGomXLb

Taxpayers are told local governments are constrained, budgets are tight, and there’s nowhere left to cut costs. Yet time and again, officials use carefully crafted language to keep revenue flowing, even when debt could have been retired and relief delivered.

Taxpayers must be protected from unchecked growth in local government spending. Statewide limits on tax increases would do that while forcing local governments to live within their means. Over the past two decades, property tax collections in Iowa have increased by close to 110

Roundtable participants emphasized the need for strict limits on local government spending, such as caps on annual property tax revenue growth, arguing that without spending discipline, tax relief will remain out of reach. https://t.co/XMJ0wsN2qx

Government spending does not drive economic growth. Iowa’s fiscal discipline has helped the state weather past economic uncertainty while advancing tax reforms. By enacting stronger spending limits, adopting better budgeting practices, auditing programs for efficiency, reducing

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. https://t.co/vTx4ODUYkP

Iowa’s Taxpayer Relief Fund was created to capture excess revenue for the purpose of income tax relief. Lawmakers believed it would ensure surplus tax collections ended up back in the pockets of taxpayers, not used for more state-level spending. https://t.co/rRZ6CTWfMA

Iowa can’t control Washington’s dysfunction, but it can prepare for it. Policymakers should use this moment to reduce dependence on federal money, increase transparency, and strengthen fiscal resilience — because “free money” always comes with strings attached.

Local governments repay debt with property taxes. While some districts claim they will “keep the rate the same,” the reality is that property taxes will still be higher than they otherwise would be without this new debt—often for the next two decades. https://t.co/ar8pWTCUa7

Iowa’s new draft social studies standards show improvement—but still leave too much flexibility with “may include” language that weakens their effectiveness. By refining the draft to emphasize liberty, foundational documents, and rigorous reading and writing skills, Iowa can lead

Iowa taxpayers deserve transparency and fiscal responsibility from their government. Dependency on Washington is not a plan — it’s a risk. Without better oversight and preparation, Iowans will continue to be at the mercy of federal dysfunction. https://t.co/wU5Spo7QvU

ITR Foundation Poll Finds Broad, Bipartisan Support for Taxpayer Protections https://t.co/kH9w0zOgGW