Political Voices: Property tax relief is a 2026 priority

By: Kim Reynolds, Governor of Iowa  

When the legislature returns to Des Moines in 2026, one issue will cut across  every community and every income level: property taxes. Whether you live on a  farm, in a small town, or in a growing suburb, Iowans’ property taxes are rising  faster than their paychecks.  

Over the last several years, the Republican-majority legislature and I have  worked together to deliver the most significant tax reforms in Iowa history. We  moved from a complicated, high-rate income tax system to a simple 3.8% flat tax— putting Iowa families, farmers, and small businesses in a stronger position. But  property taxes still remain one of the biggest burdens facing Iowans today.  

Altogether, local governments now collect 107% more in property taxes than  they did 20 years ago. And in the last two years alone, collections rose more than  10 percent. That level of growth outpaced inflation and population increases, driving  concerns that property taxes are becoming a heavy burden for too many  households.  

These numbers have real-world consequences. Higher property taxes make it  harder for young families to buy a home. They strain retirees on fixed incomes. And  they leave many Iowans wondering whether they’ll be able to stay in their  communities.  

There’s also a fairness issue. Depending on where you live, property tax growth  varies widely. Since 2018, a few counties have actually seen their property taxes  decrease; others have nearly doubled. That disparity leaves many Iowans feeling  like the deck is stacked against them.  

Unpredictability is another problem. Whether you’re a farmer investing in  equipment, a small business planning an expansion, or a family looking to buy a  first home, you need stability. Our current property tax system makes that difficult.  

And let's be honest: rising property values aren't the problem. The cost of  government is.  

For a small state, Iowa's government infrastructure is outsized, outdated, and  duplicative. And the property tax increases to pay for it are outpacing both growth  and inflation across the state. The truth is, spending drives taxes. Always has,  always will.  

Just like we've demonstrated in state government, local governments can work  together – within a county or across a multi-county or multi-district region – to  deliver services differently, reduce spending, and return the savings in the form of  lower property tax levies.  

This isn't a one-year issue – it's a structural one. And until we fix it, Iowans will  continue to face higher and higher property tax bills.  

The good news is that Iowa’s property tax problem isn’t inevitable or unfixable.  But it will take the same disciplined approach that allowed the legislature and me to  deliver meaningful income-tax relief. We proved that when government controls spending, taxpayers win. Now it’s time to extend that same principle to the property  tax system.  

The 2026 legislative session is our opportunity to do just that—to put taxpayers  first, to create a structure that’s fair and predictable, and to ensure that Iowans can  build a life, raise a family, or retire in the communities they love. And it’s a priority I  share with my Republican colleagues.  

Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh hears Iowans’ concerns about high  property taxes and their ability to afford to live in their homes. “Our goal is to ease  that burden, reduce the cost of government, and make owning a home in Iowa  more affordable. With property taxes being one of the biggest issues we hear  about, our goal is to provide real relief for working Iowans and their families.”  

Speaker of the House Pat Grassley also acknowledges that Iowans are  demanding action. “After years of delivering income tax cuts to provide direct relief,  Iowans have been asking us to shift our focus to property taxes. Right now, the  system focuses on serving the taxing entities, not the taxpayers. It’s past time to  correct this. House Republicans intend to find a solution that everyone can  understand and that gives predictability to Iowa taxpayers.”  

Iowans expect the issue to be addressed, and rightly so. They see property tax  bills rising year after year, even in places with declining enrollment or shrinking  populations. They see spending growing faster than their own incomes. And they  don’t see enough accountability.  

Now is the moment to change that—together. To build a property tax system  that reflects the same Iowa values that have guided our work from the beginning:  living within our means, protecting taxpayers, and securing a stronger future for the  next generation.