Iowa Catholic Conference Newsletter, Jan. 18, 2026

The Iowa legislative session is underway. Gov. Kim Reynolds is not seeking re-election, making this her last session. During her Condition of the State speech, the governor proposed property tax reform as one of her priorities. The plan would include a 2% revenue growth cap and also would help first-time home buyers save for down payments,

The Senate Republicans’ plan for property tax reform includes restrictions on levy rate growth. It would also have a separate system for residential property owned by a person living there versus residential real estate being rented to others. The state gas tax would be indexed to inflation.

The Iowa House Democrats also have a plan, which would freeze property taxes for people 65 and older, as well as limit property tax growth to 4% a year.

The ICC is monitoring the proposals but you can use our website to contact your legislators any time with your opinions. All you have to do is put in your address.

This coming Thursday at 6:30 p.m. the Iowa Catholic Conference is hosting a short webinar with an update on the new session. Click here to register. You’ll also hear about how to get involved with the new “Walking with Moms in Need” initiative, which helps pregnant women and parents of young children who are facing difficult circumstances.

While this is not an all-inclusive list, the ICC is supporting the following bills:

• HF 2052 – increased access to the state preschool program for community providers such as Catholic preschools

• SF 2027 – Double Up Food Bucks

• SF 2045 – minimum wage increase

• SSB 3011 – regulating chatbots

• HF 2039 – payday lending limits

We’re registered in opposition to:

• SF 2008 – mandating several public school requirements for private schools

• SJR 2003 – constitutional amendment protecting a fundamental right to reproductive care (abortion)

• HF 2041 – mandating local law enforcement cooperation with federal immigration enforcement

In the current environment at the State Capitol, if Democrats introduce a bill it rarely advances.

Sign the petition in support of school choice

Nearly 2,500 Iowans have signed the online petition in support of school choice. If you don’t want to get left out, you can click here to read it and sign.

It states that every family deserves the right to choose the best educational path for their children, and that we are grateful and encouraging of legislators’ ongoing work in expanding choices through open enrollment, charter schools and Education Savings Accounts.

Come up to the State Capitol for the Prayer for Life

We hope to see you at the Capitol on Thursday, Feb. 5 for the annual Prayer for Life. ICC staff will present at a “Learn to Lobby” session from 10:30 to 11 a.m. to help equip you with practical tools to confidently engage legislators and advocate for life-affirming policies. Exhibitors will be in the rotunda until the noon rally. Speakers at the rally will include Senate President Amy Sinclair and Rep. Jon Dunwell.

At the federal level, your voice is needed now in support of the Hyde Amendment. There is a hot debate taking place in the U.S. Senate as to whether the Hyde Amendment, which prevents taxpayer dollars from paying for health plans that cover elective abortions, should be included in a final healthcare bill that could hit the Senate floor this week. Go here to compose a message and urge our Senators to include the Hyde Amendment in the final version of the healthcare bill. Taxpayer dollars should not fund plans that cover elective abortion.

 What does It mean to be a “Drum Major for Justice?”

“Dr. King encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us in the Gospel,” said Archbishop Paul S. Coakley, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in a reflection commemorating the late civil rights leader’s life and legacy. Archbishop Coakley focused his reflection for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on a portion of Dr. King’s sermon, Drum Major Instinct:

Dr. King said: “‘Yes, if you want to say that I was a drum major, say that I was a drum major for justice. Say that I was a drum major for peace. I was a drum major for righteousness. And all of the other shallow things will not matter.’”

“What does it mean to be ‘a drum major’ in our own communities?” asked Archbishop Coakley. “Dr. King’s sermon encouraged people to be leaders in the priorities that Christ gave us: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, care for the sick, and visit those in prison. Through the social service and charitable ministries of the Catholic Church, we strive to embody the Gospel mandate at the local and community levels. But just as important is the challenge to help the faithful to authentically live out this call. Our special message on immigration and our commitment to continue addressing the sin of racism are two recent examples that serve as efforts to be drum majors of love in our communities.”