Taxes

Iowa House Republican leaders introduced their property tax proposal Wednesday, which includes a 2% cap on annual revenue growth for cities and counties.

On the first day of the 2026 Legislative Session, we hear from Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, House Speaker Pat Grassley, Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner and House Minority Leader Rep. Brian Meyer. The legislative leaders share their priorities, including property taxes, crime and eminent domain.

State lawmakers returned to the Iowa Capitol Monday to kick off the 2026 legislative session. It's the 10th year Republicans have had control of the Legislature.

State lawmakers are gathering at the Iowa Capitol on Monday for the first day of Iowa’s 2026 legislative session, where they are expected to debate property tax relief and eminent domain restrictions.

Starting Jan. 1, taxable foods and beverages in Iowa will no longer be eligible under SNAP. This includes candy, soda and sugary beverages with less than 50% fruit or vegetable juice – but also dried fruit leathers, flourless granola bars and some prepared items.

Des Moines voters overwhelmingly passed a $265 million bond measure, while Cedar Rapids' school bond failed again to find enough support from voters.

Voters in three of eastern Iowa’s largest cities will see a question about a Local Option Sales Tax on their ballots this November. If approved, the revenue generated by the tax would fund affordable housing and various capital improvement projects in Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty.

Iowa will have to dip further into its reserves to cover a larger budget gap than expected as federal tax changes add to the impact of state tax cuts. Republican leaders say they have saved enough money to pay the state's bills, while Democrats say the majority party is mismanaging the state's finances.

The Des Moines metro's regional transit network introduced a major redesign of its bus routes, with a new focus on high frequency, local routes in denser parts of the metro. The scaled back services are aimed at cutting back on a projected budget deficit.

Voters in Senate District 1 will cast their ballots Tuesday for either Democrat Catelin Drey or Republican Christopher Prosch.