The start of the second half of the 91st General Assembly ushered in a wave of activity at the statehouse. This first week included opening speeches by Senate President Amy Sinclair and Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, both delivering clear messages of hard work and common-sense legislation. The core of the Iowa Senate’s 2026 agenda is to continue to push common-sense legislation to make the lives of everyday Iowans better. I’m excited to be back in the legislature to drive that home.
This session I am serving on several committees: Judiciary, Commerce, Health and Human Services, Appropriations, Administrative Rules and Regulations (Chair), Ways and Means (Vice Chair), and Ethics (Chair). Each committee has District 5 representation and I look forward to working on your behalf.
Governor Reynolds delivered her Condition of the State address to a joint session of the Iowa legislature on Tuesday. Governor Reynolds highlighted recent legislative achievements. We gave Iowa teachers the largest raise in state history. The inheritance tax and taxes on retirement income were eliminated. We enacted a 3.8% flat income tax, meaning your paycheck will go further. All Iowans can be proud of these accomplishments. Her priorities are property tax reform, education, cancer research, and expanding veterans services, among others.
This session property tax relief is a high priority on my agenda, and legislation has begun to move on it. Senate Republicans have released an overhaul on property taxes this session under SSB 3001. Iowans 60 years old and up who have a paid-off mortgage would be done paying involuntary property taxes on their home. Once you finish paying off your home, it’s yours. Simple as that. Iowa is rated the tenth worst state in the country for the cost of property taxes. We must focus on real reform that knows the difference between rural, suburban, and urban when it comes to taxation. This proposal not only overhauls a system that has failed Iowans, but it also allocates additional money to help improve state infrastructure.
Homeownership is integral to the American dream, and comprehensive property tax reform helps make that dream more attainable in Iowa.
I want to thank all of you who visited me at the capitol this week and I look forward to serving you this session.
My upcoming forums are:
- January 31st at 9:00 – Eggs & Issues at the Spencer City Hall – Council Chambers
- February 7th at 9:30 – Emmetsburg Chamber of Commerce – 11:00 at Tweeter’s Okoboji
