ITR Live: Iowa Politics and Conservative Policy

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson deliver a packed discussion on Iowa’s legislative session, focusing on budget targets, property tax reform, and a comprehensive historical take on tariffs and trade policy. Chris begins by praising Iowa’s legislature for its self-imposed spending limits, which have kept spending well below legal thresholds and positioned the state for...

In this episode of ITR Live , Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry give a real-time update on Iowa’s local property tax hearings , what they’re learning from the numbers coming in, and why taxpayer engagement is more important than ever. They walk through what’s happening on the ground during local budget season—and how Iowans can show up and push back on excessive local spending. Sarah shares early resu...

In this special episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow shares his full remarks from the annual ITR Foundation and NFIB Tax Day Luncheon, delivered before a crowd of engaged Iowans, legislators, and policy leaders in downtown Des Moines. Blending humor, storytelling, and serious policy analysis, Chris sets the stage for the future of Iowa’s tax reform movement. The remarks begin with a nod to Iowa’s re...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest state revenue estimate and how it will shape Iowa’s budget and tax policy for the coming year. The hosts explain how the March Revenue Estimate (REC) showed a slight decrease in projected revenue due to the phased-in impact of Iowa’s flat tax, but emphasize that this was expected and part of the long-term tax red...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest ITR Foundation poll and what it reveals about Iowa voters’ priorities. The results show that fiscal issues are more important than ever, with tax policy, government spending, and inflation dominating voter concerns. Surprisingly, issues like illegal immigration and abortion have dropped in importance, possibly re...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow welcomes Alan Ostergren back to the podcast for a deep dive into government spending, conservative governance, and the broader fight against bureaucratic waste. The discussion kicks off with the ongoing push for transparency in federal spending, including revelations about Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit receiving $2 billion from the Biden administration for a q...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest legislative developments in Iowa, covering tax policy, energy reforms, and a controversial protest at the Capitol. The discussion opens with a look at the busy March legislative schedule, where key tax proposals—such as the “no income tax on tips” bill and property tax caps—are making their way through the Stateh...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a range of hot topics, from anti-Trump protests at the Iowa Capitol and ongoing battles for conservative policy victories in Iowa. The discussion kicks off with the 50501 Protest Movement, which attempted to rally against Trump, DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), and recent conservative reforms. The hosts break down why...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry break down franchise fees, how they impact Iowa taxpayers, and why cities are increasingly turning to these hidden taxes. They explore how local governments justify new fees under the guise of funding public services while increasing spending on non-essential projects like arts funding and recreational facilities. Sarah explains how Iowans...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson discuss Governor Reynolds’ DOGE initiative, a new effort to cut government spending and improve efficiency in Iowa. They explore how DOGE aligns with Trump’s federal spending crackdown, particularly on foreign aid and bureaucratic waste. The hosts also analyze Trump’s foreign policy moves, including Ukraine peace talks and NATO policy...

In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow welcomes Alan Ostergren to discuss various political themes, including insights on the current legislative session, the importance of conservative governance, property tax discussions, immigration enforcement, executive orders, federalism, and education reform. The conversation highlights the achievements of the conservative movement in Iowa and the...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson discuss key developments in Iowa politics, including the unexpected passing of State Representative Martin Graber, ongoing debates over Iowa’s school funding formula, and concerns over the state’s growing government debt. The episode provides a deep dive into Iowa’s property tax system and how supplemental state aid (SSA) for educatio...

In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson return to the Hendrickson Library to discuss a wide range of topics, including updates on the legislative session, Governor Reynolds’ Condition of the State address, and the early days of Donald Trump’s second presidency. The hosts dive into Iowa’s special election for the open Senate seat, providing insights into the candidates and t...

On this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the opening day of Iowa’s 91st General Assembly, featuring powerful speeches from key legislative leaders. The episode begins with an emotional address from Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, who provides an inspiring update on his health journey and reflects on the importance of perseverance. His message underscores the...

In this episode of the ITR Live Podcast, Chris Hagenow welcomes Sarah Curry to discuss the pressing issue of property taxes in Iowa. The conversation dives into the state’s property tax system, highlighting a significant milestone: Iowa’s property tax collections have reached $7 billion annually, reflecting an unsustainable growth trajectory. Sarah provides an in-depth analysis of historical trend...

In this episode of the ITR Live podcast, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson kick off the new year from the Hendrickson Library at the Institute for the Preservation of Western Civilization. They explore what’s on the horizon for Iowa politics in 2025, focusing on key issues likely to dominate the legislative session, including tax reform, education, and property taxes. The hosts delve into how Iow...

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 en...

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 c...

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...

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 define...

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...

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...

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 Republic...

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 mode...

In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow is joined by Tom Sands and John Hendrickson to explore the far-reaching impacts of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and its connection to Iowa’s tax policies. They dive into the significance of tax cuts for economic growth, focusing on how federal and state tax reforms shape Iowa’s business climate and overall prosperity. The episode highlights the importan...