I started the new session this week with an ambitious plan to work on several key areas during the months ahead.

I outlined these areas of focus for Senate Republicans during his speech on the first day of session.

The goal of all 24 Senate Republicans is to promote policy that will help put more Iowans back to work, provide authentic property tax relief, balance the budget without raising taxes and reform Iowa’s rule and regulatory climate.

An overview of each of these areas is below. To read and watch the entire speech, please visit the Iowa Senate Republicans’ website.

A balanced budget that does not spend more than we take in and does not raise taxes

“First and foremost, we must continue our work to have a balanced budget again, one that does not spend more than we take in and does not raise taxes. Just as hardworking Iowa taxpayers tighten their belts, so too should government. We must continue to wean ourselves off the practice of using one-time dollars for ongoing expenses and continue to provide transparency and accountability.”

Property tax reform for all classes of property

“We must give our job creators and entrepreneurs the tools necessary to succeed and make our state the most attractive and competitive not just in this country – but in the entire world.

Accomplishing that begins with broad based property tax relief. We cannot afford to have property tax rates that rival that of downtown New York City. A property tax system that simply shifts around the tax burden, picks winners and losers, relies on state revenue triggers and onerous handwritten applications will not work and is not acceptable.”

Removing barriers to growth by putting in place government rule and regulation reform

“Last session, Senate Republicans spearheaded an effort to go across the state to hear directly from Iowans about how government red tape is holding back their success.

We have put together a number of serious reforms that would make Iowa more competitive and give hardworking Iowans a greater seat at the table. We look forward to presenting these bold reforms and having a real and substantive debate on their merits.”

As always, I welcome hearing from you and can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn
Senate Republican Leader
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