300 Words: Why aren’t your property taxes going down?
May 1, 2026.
The legislature has been “talking” property tax reform for years. So far, without result. Sadly, this year’s House action is no more likely to result in meaningful reform than last year’s…and last year the House did nothing. Despite endless debate over rollbacks, exemptions and valuations, it seems no one’s property taxes actually go down!
The focus of finger-pointing this year is so-called “runaway local government budget growth.” There are 1.3 billion reasons why it’s inappropriate for state lawmakers to criticize the fiscal management of local jurisdictions. But, that’s another issue. Nonetheless, it’s been proposed by the Governor, the House and Senate to limit local spending increases to 2%, with some variations.
Spending caps would be the same for Bettendorf and Buffalo, Davenport and Dubuque and everywhere else. But, one size does not fit all. Surely, different jurisdictions have different priorities. Some want more public safety, road maintenance or economic development. Others less. Shouldn’t local voters decide what’s a reasonable balance between city budgets and property taxes?
Here’s the biggest problem. All proposals coming out of Des Moines are seemingly arbitrary. There’s no fiscal methodology evident. None anyone can cite. During debate I asked: “Why 2%? Why not 3%? Why not 1%?” No answer. Nor can anyone articulate the expected impact. After wasting most of the 100-day session on “culture war” issues, there was insufficient time to work responsibly on issues of concern to “everyday” Iowans, including tax policy.
The good news? There’s another 285 days in the year. Let’s establish an interim-session, non-partisan commission to study the issue and recommend a path forward that delivers real, predictable reform, not just “feel-good” gimmicks. Appoint actual economists and property taxpayers and have them develop a plan based on established fiscal policy. Iowans deserve better than another misguided quick-fix. We can do better.