Throughout my campaign, one issue stood out above all: the rising costs of living, especially the burden of property taxes. I heard again and again how challenging it can be to manage tax bills that seem to grow every year, and I’m committed to ensuring we make real progress on this issue.

This week, Senate Republicans introduced a bill that represents a major step forward in simplifying and reforming Iowa’s property tax system. The proposed changes are the most significant overhaul of property taxes in decades and will bring substantial relief to Iowans, with an estimated $426 million in tax cuts. These cuts will particularly benefit veterans and senior citizens and it includes measures to ensure tax stability for local governments and businesses.

A key aspect of this bill is the phasing out of the rollback system, which has made property taxes unpredictable and complex. By eliminating the rollback and implementing lower levy rates, limiting revenue increases and moving from tax credits to exemptions, our goal is to create a fairer, more transparent system.

While lower taxes are of course popular, I also recognize that local governments and schools use property taxes to fund key services that Iowans depend on and we need a balanced approach. We’re still in the early stages of discussion and we’ll be taking time to gather feedback and have conversations with constituents to ensure we get it right. I am optimistic the ultimate version of this proposal will make a real difference for our communities.

As of March 7, the “funnel” deadline has passed. This is the critical point in the legislative session when bills not related to taxes or appropriations must make it through key committee stages to remain alive for the rest of the year. It’s an important part of the process, ensuring that we prioritize the issues that matter most to Iowans.

For example, I heard from many of you expressing concern about Senate File 360, a bill related to gene-based vaccines. I did not support this bill, and it was not included on the agenda for this week’s Health and Human Services Committee meeting, meaning it will not make it through the funnel. It’s important to note that while any legislator can introduce a bill, that doesn’t mean there’s broad support for the idea. Each bill is an opportunity for public input and conversation, and the funnel process works to remove bills that don’t have the widespread backing necessary to move forward at this time.

I have been providing frequent updates around the Governor’s bill addressing cell phone use in classrooms. This week, the Senate Education Committee unanimously approved a related bill, SF 237, which calls for a study on how school-provided technology impacts students’ cognitive function, social development, attention span and learning abilities. We all recognize the tremendous benefits technology has brought to education, but we also want to make sure it’s being used in ways that foster the success and well-being of our students. I’m looking forward to the findings of this study and to continuing the conversation on how to improve the learning environment for Iowa’s children.

Thank you again for staying engaged and being a part of this journey. Your feedback, your concerns, and your ideas make a real difference in shaping the work we do. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have thoughts to share or questions about any of these issues.

——-

Email: kara.warme@legis.iowa.gov.