DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa House Republicans released their priorities heading into the 2024 legislative session on Monday.
“Our 64-member majority spans across the state to all 99 counties,” Iowa House Speaker Pat Grassley, R-Iowa, said. “We have been out talking with Iowans, getting their feedback to help us set the agenda for the ’24 Legislative Session. We have taken concerns we’ve heard across the state to build a bold agenda around key themes that Iowans expect action on.”
Republicans’ first priority is improving education outcomes.
“Education is top of mind for Iowa parents and college students looking toward their futures,” the Iowa House GOP caucus said outlining their priorities. “This session, we’ll dive into Iowa’s K-12 education standards to ensure they are setting our students and teachers up for success. We’ll also continue our work to empower teachers and get them the disciplinary tools and compensation they deserve.”
Republicans claim that nationally higher education systems have lost focus on their mission.
“This session we’ll continue our work to ensure Iowa’s higher education institutions are focused on preparing students to fill the jobs most needed here in Iowa and are doing all they can to connect students with internships and careers right here in Iowa.”
Iowa House Republicans’ second priority is maintaining a safe and secure Iowa.
The Iowa House GOP say Illinois and Minnesota have taken a “soft-on-crime approach.” They said Iowans expect state government to keep their communities safe and hold criminals accountable.
The Republican caucus said they will achieve this priority by implementing policies that get repeat offenders off the street and deter rioting and looting seen in cities in other states.
“Iowans have made clear that they support our police officers and value protection for them. We’ll ensure the state is doing all it can to beef up law enforcement recruitment efforts and protections for our brave men and women in blue,” Republicans said.
Iowa House Republicans said their third priority is ensuring Iowa’s economy remains strong.
They state Iowans need relief from the Biden Administration’s economic policies. By implementing responsible budgeting, Iowa House Republicans say the state is in position to deliver significant tax relief for Iowans.
Iowa House Republicans also say that in addition to tax cuts, they want to make it easier to start small businesses by cutting back on red tape and easing regulations to ensure government policies don’t hold entrepreneurs back. They also said they want to focus on policies that attract out-of-state businesses to do business and hire in Iowa.
Their fourth and final priority for the 2024 legislative session is to keep government transparent and efficient.
Republicans plan to prioritize government efficiency by working to modernize outdated IT systems and ensure government agencies make their tools and information easy to access and understand.
Citing the state paying approximately 50 percent of Iowa’s senior living system, they also want the Iowa House of Representatives to work to protect Iowa’s nursing homes and health care institutions from “being abused” by out-of-state staffing agencies they claim are lowering quality and increasing costs.
