The first week of the 2024 Iowa Legislative Session wrapped up on Friday of last week, and District 11 Rep. Brian Best of Glidden is back to releasing his weekly recaps of the legislature’s activities. Gov. Kim Reynolds unveiled key elements of her agenda for the state during last week’s Condition of the State, addressing fiscal matters, education, mental health, and more. According to Best, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) is proposed to receive a $5.8 million increase in highway operations and equipment replacement funding for its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budgets. Reynolds aims to expedite income tax cuts, lowering the rate to 3.65% retroactive to this year and further to 3.5% by Jan. 1, 2025. The unemployment tax on businesses is set to decrease by approximately 40 percent, as the Unemployment Trust Fund currently has a balance of $1.8 billion. Property tax reductions for child care providers are also proposed. The Governor’s Work Based Learning (WBL) Plan focuses on sustaining WBL programs, and aligning Last Dollar Scholar programs with WBL experiences and high-demand careers. The legislature is also keying in on improving youth mental health services in Iowa. Reynolds also outlined a teacher pay proposal, aiming for a 50% increase in starting pay to $50,000 and a minimum salary of $62,000 for experienced teachers. The legislature is also pursuing Reynolds’s suggestion to eliminate 111 redundant or obsolete boards for government efficiency. Legislative sessions move quickly, and Friday, Jan. 19 already marks the final day for individual senators and representatives to submit requests for bills and join resolution drafts to the Legislative Services Agency.
District 11 Rep. Brian Best Recaps Week One As 2024 Iowa Legislative Session Gets Underway
