It's important for voters to consider the ask, says ITR President Chris Hagenow. "It's separating the wants versus the needs. If something needs to happen, then voters should be aware of that, and that, that obviously, may qualify for voting for a bond," Hagenow says. "These bond decisions are in large part driving the increase year over year in property tax burden. And we think that many times, ...
Yet despite the high cost of borrowing, 55 bond proposals totaling more than $1.6 billion will be on the ballot for Iowa voters this November. Even more striking in this interest rate environment is that 18 local governments — 15 school districts, two counties, and one community college — are returning with repeat bond requests.
Across Iowa, local officials are asking voters to approve more than $1 billion in new bond debt this November — often with the soothing assurance that these projects “won’t raise your taxes.” But that promise deserves scrutiny. It’s like paying off your car loan, immediately financing the purchase of a new one, and insisting it doesn’t cost more — just because the monthly payment stayed the same. ...
The results are in: every public measure on September 9, 2025, ballot passed across the state. That is notable, but the real headline should be the persistently low voter turnout in these September special elections—and whether it’s time to eliminate them altogether. On September 9, seven public measures appeared statewide. Three renewed the Physical Plant and Equipment Property Tax Levy (PPEL) fo...
The March 2025 special election results once again highlight the persistent challenges of low voter turnout. While many measures passed, the limited participation raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the process.
On March 4, voters in 46 Iowa counties will go to the polls. In front of them there will be measures from 25 school boards, five city councils, and three county boards. Iowa law allows local governments to propose public measures for taxpayer approval in special elections, typically held in March and September. While not all measures will immediately impact taxpayers, each will influence local go...
Election night delivered key victories for Republicans and a win for Iowa taxpayers. As ITR President Chris Hagenow remarked, “If there are clear winners and losers from the election, the taxpayers in Iowa certainly came out on top with the prospect of continued conservative policy momentum.” Here’s a closer look at the trends, outcomes, and what’s on the horizon for our state.