Government should be accountable to the people, not the highest-paid lobbyist in the room. Yet across Iowa, cities and counties are spending taxpayer dollars to hire lobbyists—money that could and should be directed toward essential public services instead.
Last year alone, Des Moines spent nearly $124,000 on lobbyists, Cedar Rapids spent $95,000 and Cedar Falls spent $18,000. That’s hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars funneled into influencing lawmakers rather than fixing roads or funding local police and fire departments. Senate Study Bill 1042 stops this practice, and I was proud to chair the subcommittee that unanimously advanced this legislation.
Taxpayer-funded lobbying is a clear misuse of public funds. When residents pay taxes, they expect that money to go toward vital services—not to bankroll lobbyists pushing government agendas. Worse, taxpayers are often forced to fund lobbying efforts they may personally oppose, an arrangement that is both unfair and irresponsible. Adding to the problem, this practice operates with little transparency. Lobbying activities often occur behind closed doors, making it difficult for the public to track how their money is being spent or whether these efforts truly represent their best interests.
There are also clear conflicts of interest in allowing local governments to hire lobbyists. Rather than advocating directly for their communities, elected officials outsource influence to paid lobbyists, who may push policies that serve government officials or special interests instead of the broader public. Yet, there is no real need for this middleman. Local officials already have direct access to state lawmakers and can advocate for their communities themselves.
Beyond being unnecessary, taxpayer-funded lobbying also creates an uneven political playing field. While private citizens and small businesses must advocate on their own dime, local governments use public funds to push for regulations or policies that may harm those same taxpayers. This unfair advantage allows government entities to lobby for higher spending, more regulation and increased government influence—often at the expense of the very people footing the bill.
SSB 1042 ensures that taxpayer dollars are spent where they belong: on services that directly benefit the public. The unanimous passage of this bill in the subcommittee is a strong signal that both parties recognize the need for reform. Taxpayers should not be forced to fund lobbying efforts that may work against their own interests. It’s time to put an end to this wasteful practice.
