We are back at the Capitol in Des Moines and the 2026 legislative session has officially started. The first week is always busy with speeches from legislative leaders, the governor, the chief justice and the adjutant general.
Senate Republicans are proud of the progress our state continues to make. Throughout the last several months, we have seen several successes come from the policies we have moved through the legislature and to the governor’s desk. This last September, we saw 528 Iowa schools improve in one more or performance categories. We also saw absenteeism rates decrease from 21.6% in the 2023-2024 school year to 15.8% in the 2024-2025 school year. Additionally, we learned 15,154 high school seniors engaged in work-based learning activities and reading proficiency increased by 11% in just one year among third grade students!
Just six years ago, Iowa was rated 43rd in the country for tax competitiveness. In November, our state was ranked 17th, with the author of those rankings, the Tax Foundation, saying “Iowa’s…ranking has improved substantially in recent years as the result of several rounds of pro-growth and structurally sound tax reform that have greatly improved the state’s competitive standing.” We continue to see growth in Iowa’s economy, with our state having the second most economic growth in the country in November. The Iowa Business Council recently reported a positive outlook going into 2026, with expectations for sales, capital spending and jobs all improving across the state.
At the beginning of this year, our state received news that a record low number of traffic fatalities was achieved in Iowa in 2025. Statistics started to be kept on traffic fatalities in 1925, when 261 fatalities were recorded. The passage of legislation to decrease distractions while on the road, like Senate File 22, the hands-free legislation passed last year, as well as important programs rolled out by the IDOT, like Alive at 25, are likely factors in reducing road fatalities. Iowa only had 259 fatalities in 2025, a new record, and hopefully a trend that continues into 2026.
We have a number of big issues ahead of us this session, but we are excited to get back to work and start working on solutions for Iowans and their families.
Over the last several years, we have heard from Iowans concerned about rising property taxes and that is why the Senate released a major property tax overhaul the very first day of the legislative session.
Iowa is the 10th highest ranked state for property tax burdens in the country. With SSB 3001 Senate Republicans are trying to build a system that is NOT a one size fits all approach as Spencer can’t be treated the same as Des Moines, and O’Brien County can’t be treated the same as Scott County.
The Senate’s plan truly focuses on those homestead Iowans by giving a permanent 50% taxable value discount to your family home, funds quality roads and bridges, and starts a new dialogue in this debate to offer a rebuilt system with the simple concept that in Iowa, once you own your home, you truly own your home and stop paying your involuntary property taxes.
The Governor’s office and the House will each have their own plan for property tax reform as well.
“Freedom and property rights are inseparable. You can’t have one without the other.” — George Washington
The issue of landowner rights and the use of eminent domain for economic development was a hotly debated topic last year. This has continued into the earliest part of this year’s session, with the House advancing HSB 507 through subcommittee and the House Judiciary Committee in the first week of the session. I anticipate that a Senate bill will be put forward very soon as well. I stand firmly with landowners and their Constitutionally protected property rights.
Email me at lynn.evans@legis.iowa.gov
Spencer City Council Chambers
King’s Pointe Resort, Storm Lake
Cherokee Farm Bureau Office
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