Iowa Politics 2026: Key Issues to Watch

Inside Iowa Politics: Key Issues to Watch in the 2026 Legislative Session

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Key Takeaways

• Iowa’s 2026 legislative session begins January 12 and will shape the final year of the current governor’s term.
• Lawmakers face a projected $1 billion gap between expected revenues and expenses, tightening new spending.
• Hot-button issues include property tax reform, eminent domain for carbon pipelines, cancer rates, and water quality.
• Education, workforce shortages, and a struggling agricultural economy will drive debates across party lines.
• New Republican and Democratic leaders in both chambers could shift strategy, tone, and priorities heading into the 2026 election year.

Table of Contents

• 2026 Session Overview & Political Landscape
• Iowa’s Finances and Rural Economy
• Property Tax Reform & Local Control
• Eminent Domain and Carbon Pipelines
• Rising Cancer Rates and Public Health
• Water Quality, Agriculture, and Nitrates
• Education Policy, Curriculum, and School Choice
• Workforce Shortages and Population Challenges
• How Iowans Can Engage in 2026

2026 Session Overview & Political Landscape

Iowa lawmakers are preparing for the 2026 legislative session, which begins on January 12, 2026, under the shadow of an upcoming election year. This will be the final session for Governor Kim Reynolds, who plans to retire when her term ends in January 2027. She has signaled an intent to be more directly involved with legislators, particularly on property tax reform.

Republicans hold nearly two-thirds of the seats in the legislature, giving them broad control over which policies advance. Leadership changes will also matter: Representative Bobby Kaufmann becomes Iowa House Majority Leader, Mike Klimesh steps in as Senate Majority Leader, and Democrat Brian Meyer becomes House Minority Leader. These shifts could subtly reshape negotiations, tone, and how quickly bills move.

Iowa’s Finances and Rural Economy

State leaders expect to face a roughly $1 billion shortfall between projected revenues and anticipated expenses. That fiscal pressure means:

• New spending programs will likely be tightly scrutinized.
• Existing programs may face pressure for efficiencies or cuts.
• Tax debates (including property taxes) will be heavily tied to budget math.

At the same time, Iowa’s agricultural economy has been struggling for several years and is expected to remain under stress into 2026. When farm income drops, ripple effects hit:

• Restaurants, local retailers, and auto dealers in rural towns
• Equipment suppliers and service businesses
• Local governments that rely on tax revenues from farm-heavy regions

If you live in a rural community, watch how lawmakers talk about farm support, rural development, and small-business resilience—these policies directly shape economic stability in your area.

Property Tax Reform & Local Control

After failing to secure a major deal in 2025, legislators are returning to the issue of property tax reform. The tension is clear:

• State lawmakers want to reduce property tax burdens, especially for homeowners.
• Local leaders warn that tighter limits could make it hard to fund services residents expect, such as public safety, parks, and infrastructure.

Key questions for 2026 include:

• How much will state law further limit local governments’ ability to set property tax levels?
• Will lawmakers create incentives for communities to share services (such as joint emergency services or shared administration) to control costs?

If you are a homeowner or local official, this is an area to watch closely—and to weigh in on at local hearings and through direct contact with your legislators.

Eminent Domain and Carbon Pipelines

One of the most divisive debates in 2025 centered on eminent domain, particularly regarding carbon sequestration pipelines. Earlier this year, Governor Reynolds vetoed a bill that would have made it harder for private companies to use eminent domain to access private land, frustrating some in her own party.

The controversy is sharpened by a key decision: the Iowa Utilities Commission granted Ames-based Summit Carbon Solutions the authority to use eminent domain for its pipeline where voluntary agreements with landowners cannot be reached.

In 2026, lawmakers may not agree on a retroactive ban on eminent domain for this pipeline. However, there is active discussion around ideas like:

• Giving companies more flexibility to reroute pipelines to avoid properties where owners firmly object.
• Enhancing negotiation and transparency provisions for landowners.

If you own land or live along a proposed pipeline route, track committee hearings and consider submitting public comments or testimony.

Rising Cancer Rates and Public Health

Iowa has been identified as one of the worst states in the country for new cancer diagnoses, with the fastest rate of increase in cases. In 2025, lawmakers approved:

• $1 million for cancer research
• $20,000 for radon testing kits

Radon is a major concern; Iowa is among the worst states for radon exposure, which can significantly increase lung cancer risk. Health officials, however, are pushing for a deeper investigation into root causes:

• What environmental or occupational exposures are driving cases?
• How many current cancers stem from exposures decades ago?
• What prevention strategies—screenings, mitigation, and public education—could reverse the trend?

For readers, a practical step is to consider radon testing at home and follow upcoming state programs that may subsidize or expand access to kits and screenings.

Water Quality, Agriculture, and Nitrates

Iowa’s long-running struggle with water quality remains unresolved. Fertilizers, pesticides, and animal waste from agriculture contribute to nitrate pollution in rivers, lakes, and ponds, raising concerns for both drinking water and recreation.

Key policy tension:

• Should Iowa continue to rely on voluntary conservation practices by farmers and landowners?
• Or should lawmakers introduce mandatory standards to prevent runoff and protect waterways?

If you are concerned about drinking water safety or lake quality, follow debates around nutrient reduction strategies and potential funding for conservation, wetland restoration, and buffer strips.

Education Policy, Curriculum, and School Choice

Education will remain a core ideological battleground. In recent years, Republican majorities have:

• Removed certain books from classrooms and school libraries—especially those addressing gender and sexual orientation deemed objectionable for children.
• Limited diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
• Dedicated hundreds of millions in tax dollars to support families choosing private schools.
• Significantly increased pay for many teachers.
• Enacted policies to ensure that only biological girls compete in girls’ sports.

Looking to 2026, expect possible new initiatives around:

• School funding formulas and oversight of education savings accounts
• Curriculum standards and transparency for parents
• Shared services between districts, particularly in rural areas facing enrollment declines

Parents, teachers, and students can stay engaged by attending school board meetings, tracking bill numbers once session begins, and connecting with advocacy groups aligned with their values.

Workforce Shortages and Population Challenges

Iowa’s employers continue to report difficulty finding workers with the skills they need. At the same time, the state faces a demographic challenge: not enough working-age residents to fill available jobs, particularly in high-skill sectors.

Policy discussions are likely to focus on:

• How to attract more workers to move to Iowa, including young professionals and families.
• Upskilling and reskilling current residents to match modern job demands.
• Encouraging people who are currently out of the labor force to reenter it.
• The impact of reducing the number of immigrants—both with and without legal status—on staffing and economic growth.

For job seekers and employers, it will be useful to track state initiatives on workforce grants, apprenticeship programs, and community college partnerships.

How Iowans Can Engage in 2026

Election-year sessions often feature both policy substance and political messaging. To make your voice count:

• Follow committee hearings on issues that directly affect you—such as property taxes, eminent domain, or education.
• Contact your legislators early in the session, before positions harden on major bills.
• Use local media and civic groups to stay informed and connect with others who share your priorities.
• Explore additional resources such as nonpartisan policy briefs, advocacy organizations, and local forums to understand the trade-offs behind proposals.

By understanding the fiscal, environmental, and social dynamics outlined above, residents can better navigate the 2026 session and hold decision-makers accountable.

Source: https://www.ktiv.com/2025/12/26/inside-iowa-politics-issues-watch-2026/