Barker

Week two of session brings more subcommittee and committee work. This week, I ran my first bills through the Health and Human Services and Commerce committees, both of which passed unanimously. HF2055 would update our code to provide our school nurses with more options for epinephrine delivery devices when treating students with anaphylactic reactions. HF304 modernizes our telecommunications code to align with modern needs and practices.

Highlights of this week include visiting with our FFA students and our veterans from the 51st District. I love taking time with visitors from back home, so please let me know if you are ever coming to the Capitol this session.

Iowa House Republicans Put Taxpayers First with Property Tax Proposal

This week, Iowa House Republicans released House Study Bill 596, our property tax proposal to put the taxpayers first. It focuses on creating predictability and protecting the bank accounts of hardworking Iowans.

The components of the bill include:

Capping revenue growth at 2% plus new construction, ensuring that cities and counties are still incentivized to grow. This component includes exceptions for schools and the debt levy.

Delivering immediate relief to every homeowner by creating a new $25,000 exemption. Every residential property will not be taxed on the first $25,000 of the assessed value of their home.

Revamping the informational mailer sent to every property taxpayer to increase transparency and give taxpayers a better idea of where their money is going and what it funds.

Clarifying that all bonds payable with property taxes must receive a 60% affirmative vote.

Requiring Councils of Government (COGs) to help local governments find efficiencies and cut waste.

One of the differences in our proposal from the others is the exemption on the first $25,000 of the assessed value of every residential property. By creating this exemption for every residential property, we are delivering immediate tax relief to every single homeowner in Iowa. This means every senior citizen on fixed income, every young couple buying their starter home, and every middle-class family working hard for their children – will all see relief.

The overarching goal is to bring simplicity, transparency, and most importantly, relief.

I realize that as with anything, the devil is in the details. With multiple property tax bills released, I am looking at components of all plans to ensure the bill that reaches the Governor’s desk provides needed relief while ensuring our local taxing entities can continue to provide efficient and essential services. I look forward to hearing feedback from constituents, local governments, and schools in the 51st District so that I can advocate on your behalf.

I’m grateful for the opportunity to work hard on your behalf in Des Moines! Follow “Barker for Iowa” on social media channels to stay up to date on my work. Please reach out to me about any questions, concerns, or suggestions at brett.barker@legis.iowa.gov.

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Brett Barker, a Republican from Nevada, represents District 51 in the Iowa House.