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Capitol Notebook: Cato Institute gives Iowa Gov. Reynolds top rating for fiscal policy
Also, $11.5 million in federal grants are awarded to state traffic safety measures
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Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds received the highest rating of all U.S. governors’ fiscal restraint in a report from the Cato Institute, a libertarian, free-market think tank.
Reynolds was one of six governors — all Republicans — to receive an “A” grade and an 81 score, the highest among all governors, in the Cato Institute’s Fiscal Policy Report Card, published Tuesday.
According to the institute, governors who reduced taxes and state spending were graded higher, while governors who increased taxes and state spending were graded lower.
The report praises Reynolds as “a lean budgeter and dedicated tax reformer.” The report highlights state general fund spending increasing 2.3 percent annually since Reynolds took office in 2017, reductions in and streamlining of state income taxes, and state funding for private school financial assistance.
The other five governors to receive an “A” grade in the report were Jim Pillen of Nebraska, Jim Justice of West Virginia, Sarah Huckabee Sanders of Arkansas, Kristi Noem of South Dakota, and Greg Gianforte of Montana.
Six governors — all Democrats — received ‘F’ grades, including Minnesota Gov. and Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz, who received the lowest score, 19.
The report can be viewed online at cato.org.
State announces $11.5 million in traffic safety grants
The Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau announced $11.5 million in grant funds have been awarded to 300 traffic safety partners across the state.
The bureau administers Iowa’s allocation of federal funding from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The funds will be distributed to law enforcement partners for equipment, education and enforcement projects, according to a press release from the bureau.
“(The bureau) is pleased to allocate these funds to support traffic safety partners,” Bureau Chief Brett Tjepkes said in the press release. “Since 2019, 10,000 people have died or been seriously injured on Iowa roads. Lack of seat belt use, impaired driving, distracted driving, speeding, and other risky driving behaviors continue to wreak havoc. These funds will be used to increase public awareness, collect data, train, and enforce. The goal is to improve safety for all road users.”
Traffic safety advocates seek the grants annually, and funding is awarded to projects that support the bureau’s mission to reduce death and injury on Iowa’s roads, the bureau said.
Reynolds extends proclamation to aid disaster response
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds extended to Oct. 29 a disaster proclamation that eases restrictions on the transportation of materials and repair crews passing through Iowa en route to response efforts for Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The proclamation temporarily suspends state regulations regarding hours of service, weight limits, and registration requirements for electrical repair crews and drivers.
Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau
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