The 2026 legislative session didn’t just end; it staggered and finally collapsed across the finish line sometime after a 30+ hour marathon Saturday and Sunday. They say going all night increases pressure to get things done. Maybe it does but it also raises a fair question: should it have to come to that? What struck me most wasn’t just the long hours, but who those hours affected. We had high school students serving as Senate pages that had to stay awake for more than 34 hours straight. That’s not a civics lesson; that’s a stress test. Around them were lawmakers running on fumes. Some were clearly fading, struggling to stay sharp. Others seemed almost energized, like teenagers handed permission to stay up all night. It made for a strange dynamic. You would think that a body of 150 elected adults could organize itself well enough to complete its work during normal business hours. Apparently not.
The biggest driver of chaos was the property tax relief bill. Property taxes matter because they hit close to home: your house, your business, your local schools, your community services. I’m proud of the role I was able to play here. Drawing on my background in local government, I worked with colleagues to shape a bill that balances competing needs. The early drafts we saw would have delivered relief too but at a steep cost to cities, counties, and schools. That’s not a tradeoff I was willing to accept. I’ll be honest. What we passed isn’t perfect but it’s significantly better than where we started. It provides meaningful relief to taxpayers without pulling the rug out from under the local services that people rely on every day. In a session full of last-minute scrambles, this was one area where persistence may have paid off.
Unfortunately, not every issue saw progress.
As expected, but no less disappointing, the session ended without action from the Senate on eminent domain and protecting Iowa landowners’ private property rights. That wasn’t an oversight; it was a decision made by leadership. And I’ll be candid: I believe that decision will carry political consequences for Republicans come November. I’ve been part of a group of about ten conservative senators who have pushed really hard to get movement on this issue. We’ve raised the concerns, offered proposals, and kept the pressure on but the reality is, we’re outnumbered. So where does that leave things? With the voters. To those of you directly impacted, my advice is simple: take your fight to the polls. Legislative change often follows electoral change. If this issue matters, and I know it does, make your voice heard where it counts most.
Another topic that never seemed to leave my inbox this session was cancer in Iowa. Week after week, I heard from constituents sharing stories, concerns, and calls for action. We did pass some legislation that will help, and I don’t want to dismiss that progress. But in my view, we stopped short of addressing this issue in a meaningful, comprehensive way. That gap hasn’t gone unnoticed. Candidates for governor are already rolling out platforms focused on cancer rates and environmental concerns. This is shaping up to be a defining issue for voters and rightly so. If we haven’t done enough, we should be held accountable.
Now, it wasn’t all frustration and fatigue. One of the unexpected upsides of the extended hours was the chance to connect with some constituents from back home that I normally wouldn’t be in Des Moines to see. I had the opportunity to meet with students visiting the Capitol on the end-of-year school field trips. I really enjoy those moments. Talking with young Iowans, answering their questions, and hearing their perspectives. They’re a reminder of why this work matters in the first place. And as always, your emails, calls, and conversations made a difference. The feedback I receive during session helps me do this job better. It keeps me grounded in what matters outside the Capitol walls.
Now that the session is behind us, I’m looking forward to a different pace of life. One that includes more time at home and more time out in the district. Parade season is right around the corner, and I’m ready for it. I’m also aware that there’s a “honey-do list” waiting for me that didn’t shrink while I was away. That brings me to something that often goes unsaid: legislative families are the real ones making sacrifices during session. Long hours at the Capitol mean time away from home, missed dinners, and added burdens for the people who support us behind the scenes. I’m incredibly grateful for Lisa and everything she does to make it possible for me to serve.
The session may be over, but the work and the conversations are just beginning again. I look forward to seeing many of you soon.
