ITR Live: Iowa Politics and Conservative Policy

ITR is the voice of the taxpayer at the Capitol when spending decisions are made with your tax dollars. These spending decisions are not just in appropriations for programs and services, but also in offering generous tax credits and exemptions to specific interests. ITR Live takes a fresh look at some of the lucrative tax credits offered to Iowa businesses. Are these credits really necessary? Do t...

While the world was watching and waiting for news on the missing Ocean's Gate Titanic expedition, you might have missed some interesting news on Hunter Biden's ongoing legal trouble. Why is there not more attention being paid to the Biden family's alleged relationship with Chinese Communist Party espionage operations? Equally interesting is John's look Iowa's budget leadership...

John and Chris are safe and sound in ITR Live's Studio 130, thankful that they are not lost at sea trapped in a metal tube 13,000 feet below the ocean surface with only 3 days worth of oxygen. Instead, they take a trip through what happening in the news. Former House Speaker Paul Ryan says he doesn't want to fight on social issues, but instead wants to focus on the federal debt and poverty...

ITR Live has a new regular series: John Hendrickson's spotlight on conservative issues. In this inaugural episode, John showcases new pieces for his political memorabilia collection, including a signed copy of the platform from Pat Buchanan's 1996 Presidential campaign. Several planks made Buchanan unique in that race such as "America First" and "Economic Nationalism."...

John and Chris have an update on the Trump indictment, is this fair, and where do we go from here? John also brings his long-awaited look at the remarkable difference between Iowa and his native state of Minnesota. Iowa is following the red-state model, and has been dubbed at times the "Florida of the North." Minnesota on the other hand had become what John calls "Cold California&qu...

Former President Donald Trump had been indicted on federal charges surrounding the handing of classified documents. Does this first ever action toward a former President help or hurt Trump, and what does it mean for the future of our politics in this country? The crew has strong feelings about the use of the police power of the state to selectively attack political opponents. However, if the evide...

“Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle-hardened. He will fight savagely ... I have full confidence in your courage, devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good Luck! And let us all beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking.” - General Dwight Eisenhower, Supreme Commander...

State Representative Bill Gustoff (R-Polk) is our in-studio guest on this episode of ITR Live. Rep. Gustoff is serving his first term in the Iowa House, representing Altoona, Saylor Township and a small part of Ankeny. Bill is a longtime friend and law partner of our host, ITR President Chris Hagenow, and shares his experiences after his first year at the Capitol and also what he's looking for...

After a much-too-long holiday weekend hiatus, Chris, John and Chris are back in Studio 130 to talk about the deal on raising the federal debt ceiling. The guys talk about how they might vote as members of Congress, and have some back and forth on whether or not this is a good deal for conservatives or taxpayers in general. The reality is that the problem is so dire and the fiscal hole is so deep,...

One of ITR's Five Principles of Sound Tax Policy states that Iowa’s tax code should be fair and not favor one group of taxpayers at the expense of another. But, this principle does not mean taxpayers should not take advantage of every opportunity to reduce their tax bill. The property tax reform legislation recently signed by Governor Reynolds will directly cut tax bills for seniors and vetera...

The "Gold Standard" of Iowa political podcasts is live from Studio 130 for another action-packed fun-filled episode. The big issue we examine today is "What did John see last night on the KCCI news?" Should Iowa students be recognized for their achievement, and do merit-based rewards matter? We also learn that construction of the Des Moines Buccaneers' new home is delayed d...

ITR Live revisits the issue of whether or not Iowa is the "Florida of the North." Maybe it should instead be asked if Florida is the "Iowa of the South?" Which state has a better record of conservative reform over the past several years? This week, special counsel John Durham released his report on the FBI's Crossfire Hurricane investigation. Much of what had been accepted...

Chris is on the microphone in this episode to help John work through his disappointment at not being invited on the Greater Des Moines Partnership's trip to Washington DC. Did any aspiring Presidential candidates speak to this group of central Iowa local officials? Chris and John move on to with a look at some of the early Republican Presidential television ads. If these ads are the candidate&...

Another round of drama with the federal debt ceiling, and ITR Live is here to try and make some sense out of the situation. Or maybe it's simply a therapy session for how terrible things might get from here. https://itrfoundation.org/bidens-budget-battles/ But things work a lot better here in Iowa. John Hendrickson has written about the fiscal responsibility of how Iowa budgeted this year. Fin...

Alan Ostergren from the Kirkwood Institute is back in studio to give his own take on the legislature's property tax bill this year, and a not-too-early look at what he sees as further conservative reform opportunities next year.

We're with the Ace Tomato Company, with an update on the construction taking place in the courtyard outside the ITR Live studio. Is it a new patio, or a secret underground military installation? The legislature has also finished constructing their property tax bill for this year. What is in the bill, what is thankfully omitted from the final agreement, and what do we really wish they would hav...

ITR Live has discussed the need for a direct notification system of pending hearings that impact our property tax bills. Now we take a deeper look at what these hearings should look like and when they should be held. The current system is a bit of a mess, and Sarah Curry is in studio with the results of her research in the current system. Chris and Chris also engage in an in-depth analysis of Texa...

President Joe Biden made his Presidential reelection announcement today, and ITR Live is here with a rapid reaction. Biden says repeatedly that he wants to "finish the job", but what exactly does he mean? Based on his policy agenda over the first part of his Presidency, would it be more accurate to say Biden wants a second term to "finish us off?" Chris, Chris and John also tak...

The Iowa House and Iowa Senate have passed their separate bills addressing the issue of property taxes in the state of Iowa. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson are back to help bring some understanding to these two different proposals. What are the strengths and weaknesses of each plan and what are the prospects for reaching an agreement between the two chambers? A key difference that Chris and Jo...

With just eight days left on the calendar until the scheduled adjournment date of the 2023 legislative session, House Republicans and Senate Republicans each have new bills dealing with the issue of property taxes. ITR Live is here to help make sense of one new component in each proposal: Direct Notification. This concept would help Iowa taxpayers get property-specific information about their prop...

The ITR Foundation Poll reveals that Iowans support limitations on what local governments can spend as a way to reduce property taxes. Iowans overwhelmingly understand that our country is off on the wrong track. Iowa taxpayers and small businesses have struggled to recover from the pandemic and the impact of high inflation. President Biden’s tax increases would be especially harmful to Iowa’s Main...

The latest edition of the ITR Foundation Poll is here. Chris and Chris go through some of the more interesting results, which contain a way-too-early look at the 2024 Iowa Republican Presidential Caucus and the 2024 general election. This latest poll contains a hypothetical rematch between President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump. Also, this installment of the ITR Foundation Poll has...

Iowans are becoming increasingly frustrated at their property tax burden, which was put into overdrive this week as property tax assessment notices are landing in mailboxes across Iowa. John has a quick look at results results from truth-in-taxation efforts in other states, and Chris wants to have a chat about what is really driving your property tax bill (hint: it's not the assessed value).

Equipment upgrades, construction updates and inexplicable laughter on this episode of ITR Live. Chris, Chris and John have a free-wheeling look at a new tax ranking for Iowa (spoiler alert: Property taxes are too high). The guys also have an update on what's going on with the "entertainment district" bill which is a straight-up tax increase and moving quickly through the Iowa House....

Alan Ostergren from the Kirkwood Institute is back on the program, becoming ITR Live’s first three-time guest. Alan has in-depth analysis of the Iowa Supreme Court’s recent decision in LC Power v. State of Iowa, which could have wide-reaching implications for how the Legislature conducts business, and possibly for the separation of powers between the branches of government.