ITR Live: Conservative Iowa Politics

Iowans for Tax Relief
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ITR Live: Conservative Iowa Politics

Iowans for Tax Relief works to get politicians and government out of your pocket and off your back. The ITR Live podcast brings you news, opinion and an occasional laugh as we work to advance this conservative vision for Iowa.

  1. DEC 16

    From Surplus to Success: Iowa’s Fiscal Foundation in Focus

    In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow and Policy Director John Hendrickson dive into key developments shaping Iowa’s governance and tax policies. The discussion kicks off with the appointment of Iowa’s new Lieutenant Governor, Senator Chris Cournoyer. Known for her work on state realignment and efficiency, her appointment reflects a commitment to streamlining government operations and ensuring readiness for leadership transitions. Next, the hosts break down the December Revenue Estimating Conference (REC) report, which projects lower income tax revenue due to ongoing tax reforms. While critics have raised concerns, Chris and John explain why this decline is intentional and reflective of conservative budgeting practices. They highlight how Iowa’s fiscal health—including a strong Taxpayer Relief Fund and growing sales tax revenue—ensures that the state can meet its obligations while allowing Iowans to keep more of their hard-earned money. The discussion then moves to the release of the 2025 income tax withholding tables, which will show Iowans the immediate benefits of the new 3.8% flat tax. For many taxpayers, this means more money in their paychecks starting January 1st, 2025. Chris and John emphasize how these tangible results demonstrate the success of pro-growth tax reforms in making Iowa a leader in fiscal policy. Finally, the episode wraps up with a broader conversation about tax reform and the upcoming legislative session. The hosts stress the importance of maintaining conservative budgeting principles, prioritizing property tax reductions, and streamlining government to ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars. They also reflect on Iowa’s national leadership in tax policy and its potential as a model for other states.

    27 min

  2. DEC 10

    Property Tax Relief to Federal Strings: Iowa’s Fiscal Challenges

    In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson dive into the pressing topics shaping Iowa’s future. Broadcasting from the newly equipped Hendrickson Library, the discussion highlights the upcoming legislative session and its implications for property taxes, local government spending, and economic growth. With a focus on ensuring government accountability and efficiency, the conversation reinforces ITR’s commitment to putting taxpayers first. The episode starts with a sharp focus on property taxes, emphasizing the necessity of reducing tax collections to alleviate the financial burden on Iowans. This principle is revisited throughout the episode, underlining the critical need for tangible reforms. Hagenow and Hendrickson also provide a construction update on the ITR headquarters, humorously acknowledging the external disruptions as a metaphor for progress and economic development. Key legislative previews follow, including insights into meetings with various state associations and media groups. These events reveal property taxes as the dominant issue on lawmakers’ agendas, with bipartisan agreement on the need for reform, albeit with diverging strategies. Hendrickson recounts his experience at the Iowa Taxpayers Association Symposium, sharing updates on economic development and the state’s fiscal health. A deep dive into federalism rounds out the episode, exploring its foundational importance in ensuring state autonomy and effective governance. The hosts discuss how excessive federal oversight and mandates, often tied to funding, undermine local decision-making. They advocate for greater transparency and legislative oversight to combat these challenges and protect Iowa’s fiscal independence.tes

    36 min

  3. DEC 3

    Prioritizing Taxpayers: Holding Government Ambitions in Check

    In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson dive into critical discussions about local and state government spending, upcoming legislative priorities, and broader national political issues. Government Spending and Transparency: The conversation explores both state and local government spending practices, with particular attention to property tax reform. John highlights the benefits of capping property tax increases at 2% annually, a reform inspired by similar measures in states like New York and Massachusetts. Additionally, the hosts discuss the need for better transparency in property tax statements, emphasizing the importance of simplicity and clarity for taxpayers. National Politics and Hunter Biden: Chris and John share their perspectives on recent national developments, including the potential implications of Hunter Biden’s pardon. They discuss how this development could shift the political landscape, including its impact on President Biden’s administration and potential strategies for Republicans heading into the next election cycle. Economic Development and Local Investments: The hosts critique local government investments in high-profile projects, such as West Des Moines’ proposed $91 million water park and Dubuque’s $1 million allocation to the Field of Dreams project. They question whether these projects represent the best use of taxpayer dollars, suggesting that local governments should prioritize essential services over ambitious development projects. Iowa’s Legislative Priorities for 2025: Looking ahead to the upcoming legislative session, the hosts discuss critical issues such as property tax reform, income tax reductions, and spending limitations. They emphasize the importance of responsible governance to maintain Iowa’s strong fiscal foundation, citing successful measures that have led to budget surpluses and taxpayer relief. Committee Leadership and Legislative Dynamics: Chris and John provide insights into the new committee assignments in the Iowa legislature. They highlight the significance of these roles, particularly in areas like Ways and Means and Appropriations, which directly influence tax and budget policies. The hosts also share their optimism for continued bipartisan efforts to address Iowa’s most pressing fiscal challenges.

    31 min

  4. NOV 18

    Amity Shlaes: The Legacy of Harding and Coolidge in Today's Politics

    In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow and regular guest John Hendrickson welcome Amity Shlaes, a distinguished historian and leading expert on economic history. The conversation delves into the enduring significance of Presidents Calvin Coolidge and Warren Harding, exploring their relevance in today’s political and economic landscape. Shlaes highlights the fiscal conservatism that defined their administrations, emphasizing the importance of limited government, balanced budgets, and economic growth. The discussion underscores how their leadership, particularly through the 1920 Republican platform, navigated the country out of debt and uncertainty following World War I. A key figure in this historical narrative is Andrew Mellon, Treasury Secretary under Harding and Coolidge. Shlaes explains Mellon’s innovative tax policies, which demonstrated how lowering tax rates could stimulate economic activity, ultimately increasing government revenue—a principle echoed in modern conservative fiscal policy. Mellon’s technical expertise in managing the national debt and his clear communication with the public earned him the trust necessary to implement bold financial reforms. The episode also addresses the challenges of promoting fiscal responsibility in modern politics. Hagenow and Shlaes discuss how the federal government’s current debt crisis parallels the 1920s, underscoring the need for trust in leadership. Coolidge’s honesty and transparency, as well as his ability to clearly articulate the benefits of fiscal restraint, are presented as a model for today’s leaders. At the state level, the conversation celebrates Iowa’s fiscal discipline under Governor Kim Reynolds, showcasing how states can lead by example in responsible governance. Shlaes notes that states, unlike the federal government, must balance their budgets, and their competitive nature can drive innovation and fiscal responsibility. The discussion also contrasts conservative and progressive economic philosophies, particularly around the legacy of the New Deal. Shlaes critiques the New Deal’s long-term impact, arguing that its policies did not achieve the recovery often attributed to them. Instead, she emphasizes the importance of evidence-based policymaking and the role of states in fostering economic growth. Listeners are encouraged to explore the work of the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Foundation, which aims to educate future generations on the value of fiscal conservatism. The foundation’s scholarship program provides a full ride to any college and introduces students to Coolidge’s principles, emphasizing that Americans have a deep-seated capacity for responsibility and good governance. This episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of how lessons from the past can guide modern policy, highlighting the relevance of historical fiscal strategies in addressing contemporary economic challenges.

    27 min

  5. NOV 13

    Iowa’s Conservative Leadership: Setting the Stage for 2024

    In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow and guest John Hendrickson provide an in-depth analysis of Iowa’s political landscape following the recent elections. They begin by discussing leadership elections in the Iowa House and Senate, emphasizing the re-election of key conservative leaders, including Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver. The episode highlights the significance of maintaining a strong conservative caucus, as Iowa continues to lead on policies such as tax reform and limited government. The conversation shifts to property tax reform, a priority for the upcoming legislative session. With rising voter frustration over property taxes, the hosts delve into the importance of addressing spending, rather than just focusing on assessments. They highlight Iowa’s rollback system, which helps protect taxpayers from sharp assessment increases, while advocating for a more robust spending cap to curb government growth. National political trends are also explored, including the introspection happening within the Democratic Party after significant electoral losses. The hosts discuss the impact of progressive policies on voter sentiment and how the left must reassess its approach to regain voter trust. They touch on the broader implications of policy overreach, both fiscally and socially, emphasizing the importance of staying connected with the priorities of everyday Americans. Finally, the episode concludes with a critique of ranked-choice voting, which has faced widespread rejection in states across the political spectrum. The hosts argue that the system undermines the principle of one person, one vote, and praise recent efforts to repeal or block its implementation. Looking ahead, the team is optimistic about Iowa’s potential to continue setting a national standard for conservative governance and effective policy-making.

    34 min

  6. NOV 8

    Bond Measures, Budget Season, and What’s Next for Iowa Taxpayers

    In this episode of the ITR Live Podcast, host Chris Hagenow welcomes Sarah Curry to the show. Chris and Sarah delve into the recent November bond elections, a significant event under new legislation requiring bond measures to appear on November ballots. They discuss how this change has led to higher voter turnout and greater scrutiny of these critical financial decisions. With 48 bond measures on ballots across Iowa, the elections saw mixed results: only 20 proposals secured the 60% supermajority needed to pass. These measures included funding for school improvements, public safety facilities, and recreational projects, each with a direct impact on local property taxes. The hosts emphasize the importance of voter engagement in local elections, particularly when it comes to bond measures that can saddle communities with long-term debt. They explore how the requirement to hold bond elections in November has heightened public awareness, allowing voters to make more informed decisions. However, Sarah points out that even with increased transparency, communities often face tough choices about funding critical infrastructure versus avoiding steep property tax hikes. The conversation touches on the varying success rates of different bond measures, with some areas approving significant expenditures, while others rejected proposals for new facilities like aquatic centers or law enforcement buildings. Chris and Sarah also discuss the phenomenon of “repeat offenders”—local governments that repeatedly bring the same bond measures to voters after initial defeats. They analyze the persistence of these proposals and the taxpayer fatigue that can result from multiple election cycles focused on similar initiatives. This leads to a broader discussion about the need for local governments to respect voter decisions and consider alternative funding strategies or scaled-back proposals. In the final segment, the hosts shift their focus to what’s next for Iowa’s taxpayers. With local governments now entering budget season, Chris and Sarah stress the importance of continued public engagement. They encourage listeners to stay vigilant as newly elected officials begin crafting budgets that will impact property tax rates. The duo highlights the compounding effect of tax increases from various layers of government and urge Iowans to hold their representatives accountable. The episode wraps with a call to action, inviting taxpayers to connect with ITR for resources and support in navigating these complex local government decisions. Chris and Sarah underscore the power of informed citizenry in shaping policies that promote fiscal responsibility and protect taxpayers.

    41 min

  7. NOV 7

    Trump's Comeback: Analyzing Iowa's Results

    In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson take a deep dive into the 2024 general election results in Iowa. The conversation kicks off with reflections on the tense yet hopeful atmosphere of election night, providing listeners with a behind-the-scenes look at the ITR Election Night War Room. They explore surprising outcomes and analyze the broader implications for the Republican Party, particularly in light of Donald Trump’s decisive victory in Iowa. The duo examines the shifting voter demographics, highlighting how blue-collar workers are increasingly aligning with the GOP. They also assess the significance of local legislative races, which showcased a strong Republican presence across the state. Tax policy and economic issues emerged as pivotal factors influencing voters’ choices, a trend consistent with ITR’s mission to promote fiscal conservatism and taxpayer protections. Chris and John delve into the inaccuracy of pre-election polling, which largely underestimated Trump’s support, and critique the media’s biased portrayal of the election. The episode wraps up with a forward-looking discussion on how Iowa’s results might reflect or influence broader national trends, particularly as the America First message continues to resonate with voters.

    47 min

  8. NOV 4

    Election Day 2024

    In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson dive into the political landscape shaping Iowa’s upcoming elections. They explore recent polling data that presents a complex picture of voter sentiment, with particular attention to the surprising results from the Des Moines Register’s Iowa Poll showing Kamala Harris in the lead. The hosts discuss the accuracy and reliability of modern polling, which has faced challenges with changing voter behavior and response rates. They underscore the significance of informed voter participation, reminding listeners that the polls close at 8 PM, and encourage all eligible Iowans to make their voices heard on election day. The episode also highlights the role of key issues in the election, from social policies to fiscal concerns. Abortion has emerged as a focal point, especially for Democratic candidates aiming to galvanize their base. On the other side, fiscal issues like tax cuts, inflation, and the cost of living remain top priorities for Republican candidates. Chris and John break down how each party is framing these issues to appeal to undecided voters and the broader implications these campaign strategies could have for Iowa’s legislative balance. They emphasize that with so many critical policies at stake, the election outcomes could shape the state’s direction for years to come. Lastly, Chris and John examine the broader trends seen in political campaigning today, including the symbolic, yet often unreliable, indicator of yard signs as a measure of support. They reflect on the evolution of polling methods and the added complexity brought by digital and mobile communication, which has reshaped traditional methods of reaching voters. As candidates address an increasingly diverse array of issues, from economic reforms to local governance, the hosts discuss the importance of a well-rounded campaign that resonates across party lines. This episode provides listeners with a comprehensive view of the election dynamics, helping them understand the stakes and the potential impact on Iowa’s future policy landscape.

    34 min
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Iowans for Tax Relief works to get politicians and government out of your pocket and off your back. The ITR Live podcast brings you news, opinion and an occasional laugh as we work to advance this conservative vision for Iowa.

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