Gov. Kim Reynolds used her Condition of the State address Tuesday night to say Iowa remains strong, while laying out what she wants lawmakers to focus on in the coming legislative session.
Reynolds began by honoring several former Iowa lawmakers who died over the past year and remembering two Iowa soldiers killed in a December attack on U.S. troops in Syria. She also shared an update on three wounded Iowans, saying all have been released from the hospital and are continuing their recovery.
A big portion of the speech focused on property taxes. Reynolds said recent increases are hitting families hard and outlined a plan to cap local government revenue growth, move property assessments to every three years and freeze property tax bills for homeowners 65 and older with homes valued at $350,000 or less.
She also called for changes to Iowa’s veterans benefits system, saying too many veterans are not receiving the benefits they have earned.
Reynolds highlighted tax cuts, rural health care investments and education gains, and noted this will be her final legislative session as governor.
