ITR Live: Iowa Politics and Conservative Policy

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson dive into two big stories shaping Iowa’s political and fiscal landscape: Randy Feenstra’s official entry into the 2026 governor’s race and Iowa’s sharp rise in national tax competitiveness rankings. The conversation opens with Feenstra’s long-anticipated announcement. Chris and John break down what the move means for the Republican fi...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow welcomes Sarah Curry back to the show for an in-depth look at local government bond elections across Iowa. From small-town school projects to multimillion-dollar city referenda, Sarah explains why these votes matter, how they quietly drive up property taxes, and what taxpayers can do to stay informed. Sarah shares her experience compiling the only statewi...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson take a wide-ranging look at Iowa and national politics — from upcoming state budget projections to the philosophical foundations of American government. The discussion opens with a lighthearted studio moment before moving quickly into updates on the 2026 Iowa governor’s race and key fundraising developments across Iowa’s congressional...

In this episode of ITR Live , Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson dive into the latest ITR Foundation poll , offering fresh insight into how Iowans feel about taxes, spending, education, and the state’s political environment. With overwhelming bipartisan support for constitutional limits on raising taxes and capping property tax growth, the poll makes clear that taxpayers want stronger protections...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a full roundup of Iowa political developments as fall elections approach. They open with a trivia challenge before diving into what’s on the minds of voters, policymakers, and taxpayers across the state. The discussion highlights the upcoming release of the ITR Foundation poll, which will gauge the political environment, issue p...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson reflect on a season of transition in Iowa politics. The conversation begins with the sad news of State Senator Claire Celsi entering hospice care, followed by the major announcement that Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver will not seek reelection. Chris and John take time to honor Whitver’s service and leadership, calling it the end...

This episode of ITR Live takes a somber turn as Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson reflect on the shocking assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk. The conversation aims to consider what Kirk’s life, influence, and death mean for Iowa, the conservative movement, and the future of free speech in America. Chris and John discuss Kirk’s outsized role in shaping conservative politics, especia...

As summer turns to fall, ITR Live returns with fresh energy for the political season. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson kick off the episode by recapping the post–Labor Day shift when campaigns and legislative conversations get serious again. With schools back in session and vacations over, the political calendar is heating up, and ITR Live is here to break it all down. The discussion opens with...

The Iowa State Fair once again provided the perfect backdrop for politics, food, and plenty of speculation about Iowa’s future leadership. In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson unpack the buzz around the Iowa Secretary of State straw poll results, highlighting what they reveal about voter sentiment heading into 2026. From Governor Reynolds’ enduring influence to the early...

In this episode of ITR Live , Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cut through the noise on some of Iowa’s most talked-about policy issues—from the latest IPERS debate to ongoing efforts to rein in government spending . They unpack the findings of Iowa’s Department of Government Efficiency Task Force , exploring what proposed changes could mean for taxpayers at both the state and local levels. Chris...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a wide range of topics—from local bond issues to national politics—all with one central theme: it’s always about spending. They start with a tribute to Ed Feulner, the co-founder of the Heritage Foundation, reflecting on his impact on conservative policy and his role in shaping think tank culture. Chris and John then shift to Io...

In this episode of ITR Live, Representative Taylor Collins joins Chris Hagenow for a conversation on higher education reform, property taxes, government spending, and what comes next for Iowa’s conservative majority. Collins reflects on his role as chair of Iowa’s new House Higher Education Committee, a position created to take on real reform—not just talk about it. He shares how his committee hel...

In this post–4th of July episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson recap a big week in Iowa and national politics, including Chris’s firsthand experience attending Donald Trump’s rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event served as the national kickoff for America’s 250th anniversary celebration, and the hosts reflect on the rally’s strong themes of patriotism, national renewal,...

On this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow welcomes back Sarah Curry for a wide-ranging discussion on new Iowa laws, fireworks, local government power, and how communities define success. July 1 marks the beginning of Iowa’s new fiscal year—and the effective date for many of the bills passed during the 2025 legislative session. The conversation covers Iowa’s new hands-free driving law, changes to...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a wide-ranging discussion —from Iowa’s economic development subsidies to escalating foreign tensions. The show opens with a nod to Abraham Lincoln (in bust form) and an editorial comment on questionable taxpayer-funded art installations near ITR’s headquarters. The episode shifts to foreign policy, where the hosts weigh in on th...

Iowa politics is heating up—even in the summer. In this episode, Chris and John discuss behind-the-scenes moves in the 2026 Iowa governor’s race, including State Representative Eddie Andrews’ growing focus on property tax reform. They also cover Governor Reynolds’ recent veto and the potential for a special legislative session to override it. The conversation turns to local government spending, hi...

In this episode of ITR Live, the team reviews the final actions taken by Governor Kim Reynolds as the 2025 Iowa legislative session comes to a close. With the deadline for gubernatorial action now passed, the conversation highlights which bills received her signature, which didn’t, and what it all means for Iowa taxpayers. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson walk through key legislation signed into...

In this episode of ITR Live, the conversation centers on a persistent theme: the growth in government spending at every level, and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson argue that despite the headlines and partisan noise, the real problem isn’t tax cuts—it’s the continued growth of spending in federal, state, and local budgets. The episode opens with Iowa poli...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a range of pressing issues, from Senator Rand Paul’s recent visit to Iowa and the implications of his federal spending critique, to the Iowa legislature’s new civics education requirement for high school students. It’s an episode that connects federal fiscal concerns with state-level responsibility—and a call to renew America’s...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson take a deep dive into the proposed federal “Big, Beautiful Bill” —a sweeping tax and budget to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). They explore what’s included, how it could impact Iowa taxpayers, and why federal spending policy is just as important to state-level fiscal decisions as what happens in Des Moines. The episode s...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson return to the Hendrickson Library to break down the latest developments at the Iowa Capitol. With the legislative session winding down, the duo provides an insightful overview of major fiscal and tax policy victories, including the final status of property tax reform, and Iowa’s continued momentum toward a pro-growth, limited-governme...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson go deep on the one issue driving nearly every fiscal headache in Iowa: government spending. From the state budget being finalized at the Capitol to property tax increases across the state, this episode is a comprehensive takedown of how unchecked spending—at both the state and local level—is the real cause of Iowa’s tax burden. Chris...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson tackle a growing debate in Iowa: Should state tax policy include more exemptions, carveouts, and targeted relief—or should we stay focused on keeping rates low for everyone? The conversation dives into a series of recent proposals, including sales tax exemptions for toilet paper and vitamins, as well as income tax exemptions for tips...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson unpack major developments from the Iowa Capitol, including the latest version of the property tax reform bill, the advancement of the two-thirds taxpayer protection amendment, and the political shockwave following Governor Kim Reynolds’ announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2026. The conversation begins with a look at the...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow is joined by David Hoyt, Executive Director of School Board for Academic Excellence, to announce the launch of IowaReportCard.org, a powerful new data transparency tool built to assess the performance and spending of public schools across Iowa. Chris and David walk through how the report card platform gives parents, taxpayers, and school board members the...