Property tax plans shouldn’t be secrets

It appears 2026 may be the year Iowa lawmakers tackle property tax relief and all its many complications and implications.

Republicans who control the Legislature and some Democrats support reducing the burden on property taxpayers. They say it should be an expansive plan that settles the perennial Statehouse issue for years to come.

So, the willingness for change exists. But we’d all love to see the details.

"That's what we're working on right now," Reynolds said of the plan she will unveil in 2026. "We're not anywhere close. We're getting there. We put a lot of time into it over the interim. But I think you'll probably see bills from the House, the Senate and the Governor's Office. Then we'll work through the process and see where there are some consistencies, where there are some outliers, and ultimately get feedback from Iowans and local government across the state and then figure out what we can afford to do."

Reynolds made her remarks after a roundtable discussion with government and business leaders in Scott County. The conversation was closed to the public and press.

“Iowans are going to play a role in this decision as well,” Reynolds said. “You'll have to be open to having your services maybe delivered differently.”

Reynolds said, for example, maybe every town doesn’t need a fire station and an expensive firetruck. That way, lowering service costs could make room for property tax cuts and limits on government spending.

So, details are fuzzy, and much of the work is being done behind the scenes.

Regardless of what’s in the eventual plans, we urge lawmakers to make the process of crafting property tax changes transparent, thoughtful and free of surprises. And Iowans must have access to proposals as soon as possible.

Surprises can be a problem. During a decade under near-total Republican Statehouse control, lawmakers have sprung important legislation from back rooms and passed it within days, leaving Iowans with little time to react. Lawmakers rush the process to prevent opponents from mobilizing.

It may be good politics, but it’s a lousy way to make laws affecting scores of Iowans,

The process for crafting a property tax plan must not follow that template. If Republicans really want to approve changes that will remain in place for years to come, making the bill bipartisan with plenty of public buy-in is the best way to do it. Shoving it through increases the likelihood that it will be scrapped when the political winds shift.

Iowans will have questions. What will the effect be on local services? Who will see the lion’s share of relief? What interest groups are involved, and how have they influenced the process? Is the plan suitable for all of Iowa?

The answers should be accessible to Iowans. The details should be subject to sunlight. The plan should not be rushed. And if it can’t come together in 2026, lawmakers can return to it after Iowans have spoken in the fall election.

This issue is too important and affects too many people to hide the most impactful discussions behind closed doors. The public should be in the room and at the table.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com