Week in Iowa, May 1, 2023: Recap of news from across the state

Iowa legislative session ends: Iowa lawmakers reshaped Iowa's education system and instituted dramatically conservative policy priorities over four months under the Iowa Capitol's golden dome. Thursday marked the last day of the 2023 legislative session, with lawmakers passing final budget bills and adjourning until next January.

In the last four months, lawmakers passed a multimillion-dollar private school savings account program, restrictions on LGBTQ minors and topics in schools, a massive restructure of Iowa's government, and property tax reductions. Republican leaders said there is more they want to accomplish in the next year of the two-year general assembly.

2024 budget set: Iowa lawmakers directed more than $8.5 billion to the budget for fiscal 2024, which begins July 1. The budget includes more money for indigent defense lawyers, an increase in the governor's office budget and a freeze on diversity, equity and inclusion spending for the state's public universities.

Iowa Democrats announce caucus plan: The Iowa Democratic Party said this past week it will hold a caucus on the same night as Republicans, before any other state presidential nominating contest in 2024. But what remains unclear is when the party will send out preference cards and announce the results of their presidential preference.

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Property tax limits signed into law: Iowa cities and counties will be limited in how much they can levy from property owners in future years under a property tax overhaul Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law Thursday. The law passed with near-unanimous support in both chambers of the Legislature last week, and it was the first bill Reynolds signed since the end of the session.

Taking effect in 2024, the law will limit local governments' levy rates if taxable value rises above a certain rate. The law also will require cities to give details about property tax bills and that bond votes be held during a regularly scheduled November election.

Child labor bill sent to governor: Iowa teens would be able to work more jobs for longer hours under a bill awaiting Gov. Kim Reynolds' signature to become law. The bill was amended last week to remove what Democrats saw as the most egregious parts, but they ultimately voted against the final bill. Republicans said it would open up opportunities for Iowa's young people and modernize the state's labor laws.

Regent funding sees modest increase: Iowa's three public universities received a combined $7.1 million funding boost for the next fiscal year, tied to specific project improvements and far short of the $32 million funding increase the board requested from state lawmakers. The money will go to the University of Iowa College of Nursing, Iowa State University's Future Ready Workforce Program and a teacher recruitment program at the University of Northern Iowa.

They said …

"Iowa’s national profile is rising, and Americans are taking notice as states around the country are looking to Iowa as a beacon for freedom and opportunity. This year's historic legislative session saw transformational education reform that kicked off a national school choice revolution, a consequential alignment of state government, much-needed property tax relief, and stability for our health care system across the state.“ — Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds on 2023 legislative session

“Over the last four months Republican politicians poured gasoline on the flames of the culture war by undermining and politicizing Iowa's public schools, creating a private school voucher program that will divert $1 billion in taxpayer money to exclusive private schools, banning books from school libraries and attacking the freedoms of parents and the LGBTQ community.” — Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls on 2023 legislative session

Odds and ends

2024 watch: Former President Donald Trump and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will both be in Iowa on May 13. While DeSantis hasn't announced a presidential bid, both are seen as the top contenders in the 2024 Republican presidential primaries.

Pipeline decision: A district court judge ruled last week that a state law allowing hazardous liquid pipeline operators to enter a property for surveying without permission is unconstitutional, denying a request from Navigator CO2 ventures to be allowed onto a Clay County man's land. The company plans to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court.

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Cedar Rapids, Iowa City get climate grants: Three of Iowa’s largest metro areas — Des Moines, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City — will seek $1 million each in federal climate change planning money available because the state declined the funds. Davenport, as the third-largest metro area in Iowa, was in line ahead of Iowa City for the funds from the Environmental Protection Agency, but the city passed before the deadline.

AEAs get cut: Iowa's Area Education Agencies, which give special education services to school districts across the state, would see a $30 million cut in next year's budget. The cut comes as they expect more private school students to request special education services, stretching the agencies' resources.