Tom Barton
/
Iowa Public Radio
Iowa officials project modest revenue growth over the next two years, but Democrats warn collections remain more than a billion dollars below current state spending.
Madeleine Charis King
/
Iowa Public Radio
-
Iowa is caught in the middle of an escalating trade war between the U.S. and Canada. On this Newsbuzz edition, we talk about what that means for Iowa’s economy, and your wallet. First, we learn about Iowa's new property tax law, then discuss the economic impacts the trade war will have in Iowa. We also discuss the two Iowa clergy members are running for Congress, visa rules on Iowa college campuses and we hear about the Dolly Parton Imagination Library early literacy skill building program in Iowa. Then, we groove into the weekend. -
Cities are gearing up for their first budget year with new restrictions under Iowa's recently passed property tax law. While officials say residents could see marginal changes to their bills, the law could affect the level of services cities offer. -
This November, Iowans will decide whether it should take two-thirds of the legislature — not a simple majority — to raise the state income tax. Guests explain what yes and no votes really mean. Then we meet an Iowa teenager who is building an award-winning, low-cost prosthetic hand.
-
A new campaign wants to make it harder to raise taxes in Iowa — background on what that constitutional amendment would actually do. Then, we hear from IPR's Rachel Kramer about why farm income is down more than half since 2022. We also talk with Kate Melloy Goettel of the University of Iowa Law School about why government wants to strip a naturalized Iowan's citizenship, discuss the AI model that forecasts nitrate spikes in Iowa's river with University of Iowa professor Jesus Gomez Velez, and more.
-
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a property tax relief bill into law Monday afternoon. Earlier in the day, Des Moines city officials reviewed a looming multimillion budget shortfall in upcoming years due to the property tax changes. -
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed a bill into law Thursday that raises the tax on HMO health insurance plans to generate more money for Iowa’s Medicaid program. Democrats say the tax hike will raise some Iowans' health insurance premiums.
-
A tax hike on HMO health insurance plans that would raise money to help the state pay for Medicaid has advanced through committees in the Iowa House and Senate. Insurance and business group lobbyists criticized the proposal, saying it would raise health care costs for Iowans. -
The Big Beautiful Bill brought some changes to federal taxes. An ISU Extension financial educator shares the changes you should know before you file and resources that can help. Then, University of Iowa researchers talk about the Cancer Analytics & Maps for Small Areas map (CAMSA), a new tool they’ve developed that maps cancer risk down to your ZIP code, and how this tool could be an asset to public health officials, advocates and others. Finally — the Trump administration is rewriting the safety rules for nuclear power. An NPR reporter discusses these changes and what they could mean for Iowans.
-
For years, Iowans have watched their property tax bills climb. Lawmakers are under intense pressure to pass something after failing in 2025, but some city and county officials worry these proposals will hurt their ability to pay for city services. In this episode, the mayor of Dubuque, former mayor of Carroll and the president of Iowans for Tax Relief provide their perspectives. We also hear from our listeners on the issue.
