Articles Tagged: Pat Grassley

Reimbursement for home security systems and allowing legislators to get professional weapons permits are among the proposals.

House Republicans want predictability and relief now, the governor wants certainty for taxpayers plus restructuring, Senate Republicans want a rebuild, and Democrats want relief without squeezing local governments as hard. The fight now is how much pain lawmakers think cities and counties can absorb in exchange for lower tax bills.

Iowa House Republicans on Wednesday rolled out a property tax proposal that would cap local government revenue growth at 2 percent, create a $25,000 residential exemption, and require voter approval for more property-tax-backed debt.

Two teachers, including one in Manchester, are suing the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners and its executive director over complaints of unethical conduct filed against them.

Renewed action on property tax relief, a tougher approach to repeat violent crime, state spending, affordability and bipartisan calls for cooperation and civility were among the pledges and requests made by leaders during the first day of the 2026 session on Monday.

Educators are again asking for an increase of 5 percent in funding for Iowa public schools, saying it’s crucial for keeping up with inflation, managing increased operating costs and making up for decades of underfunding amid statewide declining school enrollment.

New Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Klimesh, R-Spillville, is introducing a new proposal in an attempt to break a 5-year legislative deadlock over eminent domain, carbon dioxide pipelines and landowner rights

Iowa House Republicans say they want to act proactively in 2026 with a “tough on crime” package aimed at repeat offenders, bail reform and sentencing — even as recent data show Iowa crime trending downward.

This year, Iowa lawmakers will return to the drawing board on providing property tax relief to Iowans, which is expected to be a main focal point of the 2026 legislative session after last year’s efforts to address the issue failed to take off.

National Democrats are adding the Iowa House and Senate to their 2026 target map, citing recent over-performance in special elections and new opportunities to cut into GOP control in Des Moines.

Gazette Des Moines Bureau Chief Erin Murphy sat down with Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley on Oct. 8, 2025 for the first of a series of 1:1 interviews with political leaders in Iowa.

Iowa Republican leaders and school officials are condemning reports that a teacher celebrated the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, calling the alleged remarks “reprehensible” and demanding swift accountability.

Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds’ announcement that she will not seek another term in office creates an open seat for the 2026 election. It’s been nearly two decades since Iowa had a gubernatorial election without an incumbent. Here’s who is — and isn’t — running for the office.

Plus, two more Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate, and how Democratic candidates are talking to voters thus far this cycle.

This week on the podcast, we recap President Donald Trump’s visit to Iowa and share updates on Iowa’s 2026 gubernatorial election.