JOHNSTON, Iowa — With just 40 days to go until a new legislative session begins, lawmakers from both chambers are discussing the issues they plan to prioritize.
Members from each party in the House and Senate shared their caucus's top legislative priorities Tuesday at the 2024 Legislative Leadership Breakfast hosted by the Greater Des Moines Partnership.
Sen. Mike Bousselot, R-Polk County, said Senate Republicans are planning to make reforms on Iowa's property tax system.
"Iowans have said loud and clear that property taxes are making it unaffordable to live in our communities ... so you'll see a vigorous debate in making sure that we make Iowa a competitive place when it comes to property taxes for Iowans to live," Bousselot said.
House Minority Leader Jennifer Konfrst, D-Polk County, emphasized the importance of property taxes as a funding source for local communities.
"We want to make sure that we're talking to local communities as well to make sure you don't get left high and dry when the time comes to pay for the roads in your community," Konforst said.
She added that both House and Senate Democrats have a strong focus on higher education and keeping young people in the state.
"Iowa is ninth in the country for college students leaving the state, and the two reasons cited are opportunity and politics," Konforst added. "Let's get rid of politics, let's start getting something done in this state."
House Republicans recently created the House Higher Education Committee, aimed at making "significant reforms to Iowa’s higher education system," a media release states.
"You talk about access to high-quality jobs, you talk about workforce, you talk about housing, you talk about child care, you talk about quality of living," said House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, R-Taylor County. "All of those things are things that we have tried to push forward."
"We all have a vested interest in making this state a welcoming place to live where we don't have to worry about people leaving," Senate Minority Leader Janice Weiner, D-Johnson County added.
The 2025 legislative session kicks off on Monday, Jan. 13.