Hull, Iowa — Governor Kim Reynolds met with local leaders on Thursday at American State Bank in Hull as part of a pre-legislative roundtable focused on property tax reform and other issues shaping Iowa’s 2026 legislative session.
The meeting brought together business owners, city and county officials, and legislators, including Lt. Governor Chris Cournoyer, State Senator Jeff Taylor, and Representative Skyler Wheeler. While the discussion itself was closed to the media, Reynolds spoke afterward about her top priorities for the upcoming session.
Reynolds said Iowans can expect a major push for property tax relief, calling it the “final piece” in her broader tax-reform effort. She noted that Iowa has already cut income, pension, inheritance, corporate, and unemployment taxes, and that it’s now time to address the property-tax system, which she described as “complex and outdated.”
The governor said her administration is looking at ways to streamline local government services, share resources across county lines, and reduce duplication — similar to how she recently consolidated 21 state agencies, a move she says saved taxpayers $250 million.
Reynolds also addressed federal issues, criticizing congressional Democrats for failing to pass a clean spending resolution and warning that the ongoing government shutdown could disrupt programs like SNAP and Head Start. She said Iowa has activated Volunteer Iowa and the National Guard to assist food banks and will match private donations to help fill short-term gaps, but stressed that the state cannot replace federal funding indefinitely.
On the topic of SNAP, Reynolds said the program must ensure benefits reach those who truly need them, adding that reasonable work or education requirements are key to keeping it sustainable.
(Courtesy fellow Community First Broadcasting station KSOU in Sioux Center)
KIWA Staff Photo
