Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver delivered his closing remarks on the 2023 legislative session on Thursday. Whitver singled out education, property tax and workforce accomplishments.
“Iowa has tremendous public schools, but they may not be the best fit for every student,” he said. “School choice gives all parents and students the same opportunities currently available only for families with the means to pay their income taxes, sales taxes, property taxes and still have enough to pay for private school tuition. School choice opens doors for families and it has shown in study after study to improve student achievement both for students in public school and in private school.”
Whitver said many Iowans were angry about increases in property assessments.
“HF 718 was another historic achievement,” he said. “It fixed the assessment problem. This bill implemented structural property tax reform and protected Iowans from those massive jumps in property taxes they feared by automatically reducing tax rates when assessments rise and consolidating and simplifying more than a dozen different levies.”
As for the workforce issues, Whitver said creating the Iowa Apprenticeship Office will put Iowans on the “fast track” to high-demand careers with solid salaries and benefits.
“We also made it easier for teenagers to explore potential career opportunities or make more money with common sense reforms to youth employment and removed unnecessary burdens to teachers looking to work in Iowa,” he said.
Whitver highlighted bills banning sex-change surgeries on kids and directing K-12 schools to have biology determine bathroom use.
“I am proud of the work this caucus did,” Whitver said. “I think I speak for all of us when I say we are looking forward to some days of, time with our other jobs and time with our families. I will see you again in eight months refreshed with new ideas to continue to deliver results for the great people of Iowa.”
