The 2026 Iowa Legislative Session starts today and one lawmaker lays out what some of the major topics are expected to be.

District 24 Senator Jesse Green says one of the main issues that will be addressed again is on property tax reform. He tells Raccoon Valley Radio there are so many viewpoints from every legislator when it comes to property taxes that it will be a challenge to find a compromise for a bill to pass. Green notes a majority of Iowans are in favor of establishing a maximum figure for property taxes to reach, which could restrict local governmental control. 

“My concern is whenever you cap something that means every time you have a pothole or a street that’s not getting fixed, your local government can easily try to blame us for their problems, and so how do you balance that?” 

Green reveals another big topic of discussion this session will be the increased spending on Medicaid.

“This is the biggest year where some of the covid dollars that came from the federal government regarding Medicaid spending is now going to have to get backfilled from the state. We’re anticipating that this will be about $200 million of additional expense this year and that’s turned out to be more like $270 million.” 

Green adds the final major legislation will be about eminent domain and the underground carbon dioxide pipelines. You can tune in each week to hear from our state lawmakers during the legislative session.