House Speaker Pat Grassley says if Republicans retain the majority in the Iowa House after the November election, his focus will be property tax reform.
Grassley says over the past six years Republican lawmakers have focused heavily on cutting income taxes, but the property tax bills Iowans are receiving from local governments also require response from state policymakers.
Grassley admits previous attempts at significant change in the state’s property tax system have stalled, but Grassley says Republican lawmakers have a recent track record of accomplishing tough things.
Back in 2003, legislative leaders from both parties formed a working group to tackle property tax reform, but were unable to come up with an agreement. In 2013, then-Governor Terry Branstad signed a bill designed to limit commercial property tax growth. During the 2023 legislative session, lawmakers passed an estimated 100-million in targeted property tax relief — including a new property tax credit for Iowans over the age of 65.
