Letter to the Editor: Submitted by Ann Fields

To the Editor:

While most TV news is concentrating on the ICE raids in Minnesota, Iowans better watch the Iowa legislature. Governor Reynolds’ number-one priority is reducing property taxes - to the tune of “$3 billion over six years” (DM Register, 1-15-2026, 1A), a 7.5% reduction. Another component is a 2% cap on revenue growth for local governments.

Property taxes set by the state are distributed by local taxing agencies. Since most of the local government spending is salaries, this 2% cap would limit raises and, thus, limit the local governments to be competitive in the labor market for keeping and obtaining qualified employees.

Iowa already spent $1 billion more in 2024 than the revenue received due to lower taxes for corporations and the wealthy. School vouchers are expanding to all people (no income ceiling) and including charter schools. Now, Governor Reynolds wants to decrease revenue again, which means that services will have to be slashed in order to balance the budget.

Property taxes fund: 1) K-12 public schools, 2) County services including road maintenance, sheriff, jail, and social services, 3) City services including police, fire, sanitation, and street lighting, 4) Local infrastructure building and maintenance, 5) Other services including libraries, parks, ag extension districts, hospitals, and sanitation.

If the state collects 7.5% less in property taxes as Reynolds wants, public schools will get 7.5% less, county services will get 7.5% less, city services will be 7.5% less, local infrastructure will get 7.5% less, and other services will get 7.5% less. Is that what you, the taxpayer, want?

Call your legislators and say “no” to lower property taxes and a cap on revenue growth for local governments. Sensible property tax reform is needed instead of an across the board cut. Let local governing boards make the decisions that affect local people.

Ann Fields
Lansing