As the 2025 Iowa legislative session ended on May 14, 2025, I am proud to reflect on the strides we made in the 91st General Assembly to serve the people of Iowa. Representing House District 10, my focus has always been on listening to our communities—farmers, small business owners, and hardworking families—and delivering results that strengthen our state.
This session, under the leadership of a Republican trifecta, we advanced policies that reflect Iowa’s values: individual liberty, fiscal responsibility, and opportunity for all. While not every goal was met, the successes we achieved will have a lasting impact on our state’s future.
One of our proudest accomplishments was passing House File 639, a bill addressing the contentious issue of eminent domain for carbon sequestration pipelines. This measure, which sparked heated debate, reaffirmed our commitment to protecting property rights—a cornerstone of Iowa’s identity. By setting clear limits on the use of eminent domain, we ensured that landowners, especially in rural areas like Dickinson, Clay, Palo Alto, and Kossuth Counties, have a stronger voice against corporate overreach.
This bill passed the Senate 27-22 after intense negotiations, proving that when we stand firm for our constituents, we can deliver results. I’m confident Governor Kim Reynolds will sign this into law, securing a victory for Iowa’s farmers and landowners.
Education reform was another key success. Governor Reynolds’ priority to restrict cell phone use in classrooms gained traction, building on local districts’ efforts to reduce distractions and foster focused learning environments. This policy sets a baseline to ensure students across Iowa, from Spirit Lake to Algona, can engage in meaningful education without the constant pull of screens.
We also tackled unemployment insurance taxes, passing legislation to reduce the burden on Iowa businesses. This move strengthens our economy by allowing employers—whether running a small shop in Lake Park or a manufacturing plant in Emmetsburg—to reinvest in their operations and create jobs. Coupled with our continued commitment to fiscal responsibility, this ensures Iowa remains a place where businesses can thrive without excessive government interference.
The session wasn’t without challenges. Property tax relief, a top priority, didn’t cross the finish line despite multiple proposals, including Senate File 651, which aimed to overhaul the “rollback” system. As someone who hears daily from constituents about rising property taxes, I share their frustration. However, as Representative Bobby Kaufmann noted, transformative changes take time. We’re committed to refining this legislation for 2026 to deliver meaningful relief that keeps Iowa affordable.
Our work on the state budget, finalized after an overnight sprint, reflects our dedication to taxpayers. By leveraging $900 million in reserves, we balanced the budget while maintaining low taxes, ensuring Iowa remains fiscally sound. I want to emphasize that this isn’t a deficit but a return of over collected funds to Iowans and is planned—a principle we stand by.
As we adjourned, I reflected on the stories shared by Iowans—your concerns about costs, education, and freedoms. We passed bills addressing health care, public safety, and education, always putting taxpayers first. While Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner criticized our focus, I believe our actions reflect the priorities of Iowans who value self-reliance and opportunity. The 2025 session wasn’t perfect, but it moved Iowa forward, and I’m honored to serve in this fight for our state’s future.
