Lawmakers share top priorities one week before the 2025 legislative session
Next Monday, the Iowa Statehouse will fill with new faces and new ideas for the 2025 legislative session. As both parties bring their respective agendas to the table, the new legislative session offers opportunities for dynamic discussions and potential policy advancements for Iowa.
Republicans again have the majority in the Iowa House and Senate, giving the party control over which bills are considered and making it easier to pass their policy priorities.
"Iowa's in a good place, and we need to keep that going," said Republican and President Pro-Tempore of the Iowa Senate Ken Rozenboom (R-Pella). "We don't need to do, I think, some of the major things that we've done in the past."
Rozenboom said Republicans are also likely to tackle property tax reform.
"We continue to hear about concerns about high property taxes. That's a theme that's been consistent for quite some time. Property taxes are growing faster than other taxes in Iowa," Rozenboom said.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst (D-Windsor Heights) said Democrats are open to discussion on property tax reform.
"We understand the desire to lower property taxes for folks," Konfrst said. "We want to make sure that balance between property taxes and the services that we rely on [is] there. That's why it's so important to bring cities and counties into the conversation."
Sen. Janice Weiner (D-Iowa City), the newly appointed Iowa Senate Democratic Leader, said her party will also focus on protecting public education and reproductive freedom, improving water quality and addressing the state's unemployment system.
"There have been a number of layoffs and plant closures in recent months," Weiner said. "I think we should make the process less bureaucratic than it is, so that we can really help Iowans get back on their feet as quickly as possible."
Gov. Kim Reynolds (R-Iowa) has also said she wants to address cell phone use in schools. She'll release her full list of policy priorities during her Condition of the State address next Tuesday.
» Download the free vlog app to get updates on the go: |