2026 Condition of the State

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Legislators gather under the Golden Dome as Governor Kim Reynolds shares her annual report on Iowa and lays out her agenda at the start of a new legislative session. Tonight is the 2026 Condition of the State address live from the House chamber in the Iowa Capitol. Here is Travis Graven.

[Travis Graven] Welcome to Iowa PBS live coverage of the governor's annual Condition of the State address. A joint session of the Iowa Legislature has gaveled in and is set to hear Governor Kim Reynolds unveil her 2026 agenda this evening. Hello, I'm Travis Graven in for Kay Henderson. Coming to you above the House chamber on our makeshift set here at the State Capitol. We will have the Democratic response to the governor's speech following her address. Representative Brian Meyer, the Democratic leader in the House, will be joining us for that. The governor is just getting set to enter the chamber. The executive committee, her family, the legislators are seated and ready to go here in the House chamber for her speech. This will be her ninth Condition of the State address. It will not be her final Condition of the State address. There have been some folks thinking this is the governor's last speech, since she will not be running for reelection, but she will have one more Condition of the State address next year. Of course, this speech will set up her agenda for the 2026 legislative session, which opened yesterday here at the state capitol. Let's go down now to the House floor.

[Sen. Amy Sinclair] It is my pleasure to introduce to you, Governor Kim Reynolds, for her Condition of the State message to the 2026 session of the 91st General Assembly.

(Applause)

[Gov. Kim Reynolds] Thank you.

(Applause)

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

(Applause)

Madam President, Mister Speaker, Lieutenant Governor, First Gentleman, legislative leaders and members, justices and judges, my fellow Iowans: 

This is the ninth time I’ve addressed you from this chamber to report on the condition of the state. 

It’s a place that has witnessed nearly two centuries of Iowa history—moments of crisis and moments of courage, times of uncertainty and times of renewal. Yet through it all, one thing has remained constant: ordinary citizens stepping forward to do the extraordinary work of self-government. 

Every person in this room is part of that story. And every session we add a new chapter—sometimes loud, sometimes quiet, but always lasting. 

But history is not only written by laws passed. It’s written by lives lived in service. By people who gave their time, their talent, and their hearts to this state. 

This evening, we feel the loss of three of them who were with us just last year. Representative Martin Graber, Senator Rocky DeWitt, and Senator Clare Celsi. We honor their lives, their service to the people of Iowa, and the deep commitment each of them brought to this institution.  

For many of us, they were more than colleagues, they were friends—and their presence will be greatly missed.  

Iowa lost another state leader last year. Representative Janet Metcalf, who served in the Iowa House from 1985 to 2003, and passed away in March. 

Each of these public servants left a lasting mark on our state, and we’re better for it. 

There’s no greater calling than service, especially when it asks for the greatest sacrifice. 

Exactly one month ago—well beyond these walls and even beyond our Nation’s borders—Iowa suffered a different kind of loss. One that reached into every home, in every small town and city neighborhood, and into the very heart of who we are. 

On December 13th, 2025, a lone gunman with ties to ISIS opened fire on American troops in Syria. Two of those killed and three wounded were Iowans. 

Our fallen soldiers served their state and their country with honor. As respected leaders, they were models of courage, commitment, and character. And as Americans who answered the call when freedom required it, they showed us the greatest love a person can give—by laying down their life for their friends. 

Staff Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard of Marshalltown had always dreamed of becoming a soldier. He joined the National Guard at age 17 and served more than 11 years. He stood out not just for his dedication to the mission, but also to his brothers and sisters in arms. 

Above all, Staff Sergeant Howard—Nate to his family and friends—was a loyal son and brother, and a loving husband. He cherished those closest to him with tenderness, humor, and a sincere heart. 

Staff Sergeant Edgar Torres-Tovar of Des Moines was the pride of his parents and a role model to his siblings. He was certain that his purpose in life was to serve his country, and he enlisted in the United States Army after graduating from high school. He was the first in his family to wear the uniform. And in the words of his father Hugo, he was their hero, and now he is a hero to all of us. 

Iowans watched with heavy hearts as our fallen made their journey home. And Iowans were with them every step of the way. 

They were escorted from the Middle East by Iowa Guard soldiers and airmen—including Staff Sergeant Howard’s own brother, Staff Sergeant James Roelsgard, who served on the same deployment. When they arrived at Dover Air Force Base, another group of Iowans was waiting—the 185th Air Refueling Wing Mortuary Affairs Team—ready to care for their own with dignity and honor.   

When I reflect on the evil that robbed our state of two exceptional young men and wounded three others, I’m aware that no words can right the wrongs of their deaths or make up for the loss of their loved ones. 

But know this: Their service lives on—in the families they cherished, in the communities they strengthened, and in the freedoms they helped preserve.  

This evening, the Torres-Tovar family is with their church community, observing the 30th day since their son’s death with a special memorial service. They send their heartfelt gratitude to Iowans for their prayers and support.  

Staff Sergeant Howard’s wife, parents and brother are with us tonight. I want you to know that you remain in our prayers, and we will never forget Nate’s sacrifice. 

Tonight, we do not remember our fallen soldiers only in sorrow—but in gratitude. We do not speak their names only in grief—but in honor. And we do not pause simply to mourn—but to celebrate their lives and give thanks for the gift they’ve given all of us. 

Please join me in honoring Staff Sergeant Howard, Staff Sergeant Torres-Tovar, and their families with the applause of a free and grateful people.  

As we mourn and honor those we’ve lost, we have not forgotten our three wounded warriors who answered the same call to duty that day. 

One soldier was treated for minor injuries and returned to his unit where he remains to complete his mission. 

The two other soldiers were seriously injured—and in their most critical moments were cared for by fellow Iowans. Airmen from the 185th Air Refueling Wing Medical Group, based out of Sioux City and also deployed in the Middle East, took charge of the soldiers’ treatment and evacuation.   

Lt. Col. Paul Niles shared that the wounded were reassured knowing that it was fellow Iowa Guardsmen caring for them, praying with them, and standing beside them.   

Days later, they transferred the two wounded soldiers to Germany for stabilization, and then home to the US to continue their recovery with their families.  

Iowans taking care of Iowans, all in service of their country. Our State could not be prouder, and tonight, I’m pleased to share some good news.  

Both soldiers have been discharged from the hospital and are now being treated in an outpatient facility. Both are doing extremely well and improving every day.  

I think I speak for everyone here tonight when I say: We can’t wait to welcome you both home. 

As I’ve declared every time I’ve been at this podium, the condition of our state is strong. 

It’s strong in our families. 

It’s strong in our communities. 

And what we’ve seen so clearly is that it’s strong in the men and women who are willing to stand watch for us all. 

With 1,800 Iowa National Guard soldiers and airmen currently deployed overseas in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, nearly everyone in our state has a connection to someone serving, whether it’s a son or daughter, a spouse or parent, a friend, neighbor, or coworker. 

Our heroes in uniform are on the front lines of the fight against evil. They’re the tip of the spear and the center of the shield. And they’ve done more than we can ever repay. 

Here at home, their families are serving in their own way—holding the Homefront steady, carrying on with strength and grace, and looking forward to the day when their soldiers return home. 

Some of the families of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 34th Infantry Division are with us tonight. Will you please stand so we can recognize you and thank you for your service. 

We owe our servicemembers a debt of gratitude. And that debt is best paid by ensuring our veterans get every benefit they’ve earned. 

Iowa is home to nearly 178,000 veterans. Yet only one third is receiving the benefits they earned, placing Iowa 44th in the nation for VA compensation. 

That’s not acceptable.  

An outdated system that provides little accountability is leaving too many veterans—and well-meaning county officials—without the tools, training, and consistency they need.  

So tonight, I’m proposing a bill to modernize the system statewide. 

I’m also proposing that we incentivize better performance by repurposing existing state funds to create a new, performance-based county grant program. The higher a county’s VA compensation per capita, the more money a county will earn, ensuring that outcomes improve. 

The goal is simple: more benefits reaching more veterans.  

Let’s do more for the heroes who’ve done so much for us. 

When I first took office in 2017, Iowa’s top income tax rate was 8.98%, among the nation’s highest. So was our 12% corporate tax rate. Those taxes weren’t just numbers on a page. They were eating into paychecks, increasing the cost of doing business, and quietly making life more expensive for Iowa families.  

So we took bold, decisive action.  

We eliminated the inheritance tax and taxes on retirement income—so families could keep what they had worked a lifetime to build.  

We reformed the corporate tax structure and are on our way to a flat 5.5%—making it easier to grow a business and hire Iowans.  

We enacted a 3.8% flat income tax, so your paycheck goes further. And last year, we cut the unemployment insurance tax in half, which will protect jobs and hold down prices. 

I’m proud to say, we’ve cut taxes more than any other state in the country.  

That’s more than just a number, a ranking, or a percentage. It means more room in the budget for groceries. For school supplies. For a tank of gas.  

It means saving more, instead of falling a little further behind. 

And thanks to President Trump’s historic tax cuts for working families, Iowans are set to save big on federal taxes, too.  

And it gets even better. Because we made the decision eight years ago to match all federal tax cuts at the state level, Iowans will get the same relief on their state taxes—including eliminating taxes on tips, overtime, and Social Security.  

Not every state is doing this or even can because of poor budgeting and runaway spending. But in Iowa, we believe the money you earn is better used for your family than your government. 

Today, the momentum is real. Despite a challenging global economy, we’ve attracted over $20 billion in new capital investment since 2024, creating new jobs and new opportunities. 

Yet for all the progress we’ve made, one issue continues to impact Iowans in every community and across every income level: property taxes. 

Whether you live in a small town, growing suburb, or an urban neighborhood, you’ve probably felt it. Property taxes are rising faster than inflation, faster than paychecks, and faster than population growth.  

In fact, over the last two years, they’ve gone up more than 10%. And that’s not acceptable.  

Last fall, I held a series of roundtable discussions across the state to hear from Iowans about how it’s affecting them. 

A farmer told me his property taxes have increased fivefold, to the point where he fears he won’t be able to keep his land and pass it on to the next generation. 

Kate, a small business owner, said rising property taxes are crowding out her ability to reinvest in her business and community.

And then there’s Sandy, a senior who—because of high property taxes—is worried about staying in her home. “Everyone struggles,” she wrote to my office, “but they seem to make it even harder when you’re a senior.” 

For each of these stories, there are countless others. And though the problem is clear, the reasons are complicated and many. And that makes it hard to fix.  

Over the years, we’ve tried to rein in local taxing authority. But it’s often felt like squeezing a balloon—limit one levy and another one expands. 

So this year, we need to go after the real driver of the problem: Spending.  

Spending is what drives taxes—always has, always will. And the most reliable way to protect taxpayers is to limit the growth of government itself. 

I’m introducing a property tax bill that will cap overall revenue growth for local governments. That way, they can’t grow faster than the families who pay the bills.   

It’s simple but effective. You remember when we were kids, our parents would tell us that money doesn’t grow on trees. Well, I think it’s time governments learn that lesson too.  Wouldn’t you agree? 

To help protect families from runaway spikes and provide more predictability, I’m also proposing to move property tax assessments to every three years instead of two. And we’re taking the burden off taxpayers to appeal large increases and putting it on assessors to justify them. 

I know many in this chamber have other ideas; and I welcome them. But this is how we begin to tackle the problem—and put families back in control. 

While nearly every homeowner is feeling the pain of property taxes, one group is especially impacted: our seniors.  

Property taxes were never designed for a world where home values soar while incomes stay flat. For older Iowans living on fixed incomes, rising assessments don’t mean rising wealth—they mean rising anxiety. 

Seniors who did everything right—who worked hard, paid their taxes, and saved—are at risk of being taxed out of the very home they hoped to grow old in. 

That’s not how it should work.  

My proposal freezes property tax bills for Iowans ages 65 and up whose homes are valued at $350,000 or less—so they can stay in their homes and their communities.   

Because no one should be taxed out of their own front door. 

Rising property taxes and home prices also leave young Iowans wondering if they’ll ever be able to achieve the American Dream.  

That’s why I’m also proposing to create a tax-deductible savings account for first-time homebuyers—modeled on Iowa’s 529 program—so families can contribute years in advance, helping sons, daughters, even grandchildren be prepared for homeownership when the time comes. 

And it’s also why I’m introducing legislation to modernize the beginning-farmer tax credit—expanding its size, making it refundable, and extending it to land sales as well as leases.  

That will also strengthen our multi-generational farm families, as the credit applies to sales and leases to relatives. 

Whatever their dream, let’s make sure it’s within reach so more young Iowans will choose to build their future here.   

These are important changes, and they need to be made. But here’s the truth: property taxes are driven locally, so they can’t be fixed by state government alone. 

If Iowans want lower property taxes, we must also change how local government works—and who we elect to run it. 

We need leaders who understand that government cannot grow faster than the families who pay for it. 

If you’re one of those people, please run for office. Because we need a government that lives within its means, and leaders who will do the same. 

We’re doing this at the state level.  

We’ve aligned agencies, eliminated 21 cabinet departments, and cut over 4,000 regulations. And we’re not done—and we never should be. Businesses and families don’t make one budget and call it good. They’re constantly finding better ways to save and do more with less.  

So are we.   

Today, we’re working with some of the biggest names in tech to modernize state systems, drive efficiencies, and improve services.  

We’re partnering with Amazon Web Services to consolidate more than 50 state call centers into a single, smarter system that will use AI to get Iowans the help they need—faster, simpler, and at a lower cost. 

And through a new partnership with Google Public Sector, we’re building a modern, intuitive, and fully compliant Comprehensive Child Welfare system—in a fraction of the time and for less than half the typical cost. This transformational project will save taxpayer dollars, and it will serve as a national model. 

That’s what efficiency looks like. And that’s how we keep spending in check—so Iowans can keep more of their money.  

Now it’s time to take that same approach locally. Many communities already are. 

Scott County manages waste services at no direct cost to its seventeen member communities—saving nearly $16 million every year. 

Other cities have partnered with their counties for law enforcement services. And others share county engineers and contract with their local hospital to provide the county’s public health services. 

These solutions do more than save money. They represent the same practical, responsible approach Iowa families take every day. It’s time more governments do the same. 

And starting tonight, every Iowan can go online to the Iowa Department of Management’s website and see how their city or county is spending their tax dollars. I encourage you to take a look at those budgets, ask questions, and be part of the solution. 

Tonight, I want to address another issue that cuts across all communities. It’s one I know weighs on the minds of many Iowans: our fight against cancer. 

Every year, more than 20,000 Iowans are diagnosed with this terrible disease. Everyone in this room has been affected by it in some way. Hearing the news that you, or someone you love, has cancer is devastating. I know it personally, with Kevin’s diagnosis two years ago.  

And even though we now understand what his diagnosis means and how we can manage it, questions of why it happened remain unanswered. And that’s a reality many Iowa families struggle with. 

Which is why last year I directed Iowa HHS to partner with the University of Iowa College of Public Health to begin the most comprehensive study of cancer ever undertaken in our state. In the coming weeks, the initial findings will be released. 

But we're not waiting for a report to act, because some of the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer are already clear. 

When cancer is caught early, lives are saved, and families are spared unimaginable loss. 

Breast cancer caught at stage one has a 99 percent survival rate; prostate cancer is nearly 100 percent.  

At stage 4, however, those survival rates dip below 40%. That’s why early detection is so important. It doesn’t just change outcomes; it changes lives.  

That belief became the personal mission of Joe Garcia of Urbandale.  

Joe lost his wife, Jennifer, to cancer in 2016. Since then, he’s been driven by a vision: a future where every Iowan knows about cancer screening, has access to it— regardless of income, insurance, or ZIP code—and where no family hears the words, “We found it too late.” 

When Joe and his son J.T. came to my office and shared that vision, I knew it was one Iowa had to help lead. 

Joe, J.T., and Mike Schreurs—who also lost his wife, Linda, to cancer—are with us tonight.  

Their advocacy has helped turn awareness into action, and their voices have helped shape the statewide effort we’re launching now. 

Please join me in thanking them for honoring their loved ones by helping protect families across Iowa. 

Tonight, I am proud to tell you—that Joe’s vision is becoming Iowa’s mission. 

Just two weeks ago, Iowa’s innovative plan to strengthen rural health care—called Healthy Hometowns—was awarded $209 million for year one of the federal Rural Health Transformation Program.  

Just this year, more than $50 million will be invested specifically in cancer prevention, screening, and treatment. And we expect it to grow to $183 million over four years.  

Here’s what that means for families: 

It means a working parent who can get a mammogram—and a follow-up MRI—before a lump becomes a diagnosis. 

It means Iowans can do a colon cancer test at home—and get a colonoscopy before symptoms ever appear. 

It means telehealth visits and new skin-cancer screening tools—so care doesn’t get delayed because life is busy. 

It means routine prostate exams—catching cancer while it is still treatable. 

And it means radon testing and mitigation—so families aren’t unknowingly exposed to the second-leading cause of lung cancer in their own homes. 

We’re making early detection the norm—not the exception. Replacing fear with hope and making sure that if families hear the word “cancer,” they also hear: “We caught it early, and we can treat it.” 

That’s how lives are saved. And that’s what Iowa is building—right now. 

Of course, early detection is just the beginning.  

What happens next is just as important—how quickly care starts, how close to home it can be delivered, and how well families are supported through the hardest days of their lives. 

Through our Healthy Hometowns Initiative, we’re developing cancer care hubs—helping fund the oncologists, equipment, and advanced medical technology necessary to provide this specialized treatment.   

That’s step one, and it starts this year. Then, we’ll complete this hub-and-spoke model by opening satellite clinics in outlying communities, where patients can get routine cancer care even closer to home. 

This effort expands upon our proven Centers of Excellence program, which has increased access to maternal health care in rural Iowa. Now, with a strong foundation in place, we can move faster, go further, and truly transform care by expanding the model to cardiovascular care and mental health. We’ll not only improve care—we’ll help Iowans get healthier, live healthier, and stay that way.  

Our Healthy Hometowns plan also supports communities in creating local care teams who together can provide primary care and chronic disease management for their patients and ideally locate all providers within one building.  

Consider what it would be like if a patient with diabetes and heart disease can see his primary care provider for a routine visit, then meet with a dietician to create a personalized meal plan, discuss his medications with a pharmacy tech, and consult with a care navigator about his health goals all in one afternoon—and at one location. 

It would be transformational. And it’s all within reach—right now.  

As soon as our plan was submitted, we moved into action—opening applications and engaging the medical community, resulting in over 250 proposals from across the state. By the end of this month, we will begin awarding contracts, turning this investment into life-saving treatment. 

This is how transformation begins: not with talk, but with action. 

It’s also important to encourage healthy behaviors so we can reduce the high rate of chronic illness.  

Across the U.S., more than 40% of children have at least one chronic health condition. And obesity is a major driver of many of them.  

That’s concerning, since one out of every six children in Iowa are considered obese. And Iowa ranks 17th in the nation for adult obesity.  

This is a serious public health issue. And it’s one we’re working to address.  

Iowa was one of the first states in the country to refocus two federal food assistance programs on the reason they were created: to help low-income families afford nutritious foods. 

With USDA’s approval, SNAP and Summer EBT in Iowa will help families purchase fresh produce, grains, meat, and dairy—but candy, sweets, and soft drinks are no longer covered. 

This year, I’m asking the legislature to make sure our state always maintains a nutrition first focus for these programs by directing the Iowa HHS to maintain a federal waiver going forward. 

The days of government programs that enable chronic illness are over. It’s time for a new era of accountability and health. 

I’m also requiring that physicians take nutrition classes as part of their Continuing Medical Education, so more Iowans have access to the information they need to make informed dietary choices. 

Lastly, I’m introducing a bill to remove artificial food dyes from our school lunch programs.  

Studies show these chemicals, which provide zero health benefits, contribute to behavioral issues. We can do better for our kids, and we will.  

For the last nine years, one principle has guided our work in education: putting students first. 

That has meant focusing on what actually improves outcomes—early intervention, strong instruction, clear accountability, and real options for families. 

We focused on evidence-based literacy instruction—training teachers in the science of reading, identifying struggling readers earlier, and giving parents clear tools and choices to help every child master the most important skill they will ever learn. 

We strengthened accountability, expanded work-based learning, and focused our system on real student growth—not paperwork. And last year, we applied the same evidence-based principles to math instruction. 

We also gave teachers the largest raise in state history, because attracting and keeping great teachers is essential to strong schools.  

And when the pandemic disrupted learning, Iowa kept classrooms open, prioritized stability and mental health, and helped fuel one of the fastest recoveries in the nation. 

We’ve also expanded educational options—because no single model works for every child.  

Today, Iowa families can choose the school that best fits their needs, whether that’s the neighborhood public school, another district, a public charter school, or a private school through an Education Savings Account. 

And this year marks a milestone. 

For the first time in Iowa’s history, Education Savings Accounts are universally available—meaning the same State Cost per Pupil follows every child, regardless of income or ZIP code. 

Our message to the nation is simple: In Iowa, we fund students, not systems. And the results speak for themselves. 

At a time when 78 percent of America’s high school seniors are below proficiency in math—and 65 percent in reading—Iowa is moving in the opposite direction. 

We are one of only three states in the nation whose students now outperform their own pre-COVID levels in reading and math. 

Third- and fourth grade reading proficiency is up 11%. 

Science proficiency among tenth graders is up 7%. 

Chronic absenteeism is down nearly 10%. 

Attendance is improving. Literacy is improving. Science is improving. Engagement is improving. And teacher vacancies have dropped by more than 30 percent—and now stand at half the national average.  

The nation is taking notice. 

Just last week, at Broadway Elementary in Denison, US Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and I announced a first-in-the-nation initiative granting Iowa greater control over federal education funding. 

This marks an important first step toward fully returning education to the states and ensuring federal resources are aligned with Iowa priorities and Iowa student outcomes. 

Broadway Elementary is the perfect example of why that matters. Innovation was happening in every classroom we visited—dual-language immersion, STEM, and the science of reading—and it’s driving student achievement. Literacy proficiency jumped from 65% to 72% in just one year. That is what’s possible when states and schools are empowered to focus on the work that expands opportunities for every student. 

I want to thank the administrators, teachers, and students in Denison for proving why Iowa is leading education nationwide. Please stand so we can honor your outstanding work. 

All of this has happened because Iowa made a clear decision: to put students first. That is reflected in the laws we pass, the standards we set, and the priorities we fund.  

And it comes to life in our classrooms, where teachers meet kids where they are, believe in what they can become, and do the quiet, everyday work that changes lives.  

To every educator who puts students first, thank you for shaping Iowa’s future. 

One of the clearest examples of our student-first approach can be found in Cedar Rapids. 

This year, Cedar Rapids Prep—a tuition-free public charter school—opened its doors for middle-school students and quickly filled every seat, with a waiting list already forming. 

Demand has been so strong that plans are already moving forward to expand the school—adding grade levels and a new facility to serve even more families. 

Some have described that success as a problem—not because students are struggling, but because enrollment shifts mean that some traditional public schools may need to adjust staffing or facilities. 

In other words, the concern is not about how children are doing—it is about how systems are changing. 

That is the wrong way to look at it. 

If parents are choosing a school because they believe it is working for their children, that’s not something to resist. That’s something to celebrate. 

When a school meets the needs of families, that’s progress. And Cedar Rapids Prep is not alone. Other public charter schools are seeking to open across the state next year, bringing even more options to families who want them. 

Choice does not weaken our commitment to public education. It strengthens it—by making every school focus on what matters most: the students in front of them. 

That’s why I am proposing a bill to ensure per-pupil funding truly follows the student, so that every public-school student receives equal support, no matter which public school they attend. 

Because equity isn’t just about funding; it’s also about access. 

My proposal will ensure that public charter school students have access to concurrent enrollment classes and extracurricular activities—just like students in traditional public schools. 

Every student deserves access to college credit and activities. Not because of where they attend school—but because they are an Iowa kid. 

And that’s what education is about in the end: not programs, not politics, but students. 

Iowa will remain a state that puts students first—and we will never look back. 

I couldn’t be prouder to be the Governor of Iowa. Across every one of our 99 counties, our people are hardworking, independent, and strong. They believe in responsibility, in community, and in leaving things better than they found them. Serving you has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. 

As I enter my final legislative session as your Governor, I do so deeply grateful, fully committed, and determined to finish strong. 

There will be time to look back and time to say thank you. But tonight, our focus is forward—on what still needs to be done, and on doing it together. 

Because every person in this chamber came here for the same reason: to do what you believe is right for the people of Iowa. We may disagree. We have disagreed. We will disagree again. But those disagreements have always been rooted in conviction, not indifference—and in a shared belief that Iowa is worth fighting for. 

And that is what this session must be about. 

Not politics, but people. The people who sent us here. The families trying to make ends meet. The farmers weathering uncertainty. The veterans who served us. The students preparing for their future. The seniors who want to stay in their homes and young Iowans who are looking to buy their first. The small businesses and communities that form the backbone of our state. 

So, let’s meet this moment the way Iowans always have with honesty, with humility, and with a willingness to work together. 

Let’s solve real problems. Let’s deliver real results. And let’s leave Iowa stronger than we found it. 

The condition of our state is strong. And with the work we do here—together—its future will be even stronger. 

Thank you. God bless you. And God bless the great state of Iowa. 

Thank you.

(Applause)

[Travis Graven] And you have been watching and listening to Governor Kim Reynolds 2026 Condition of the State address here from the Iowa State Capitol. You can see she has been dismissed. The committee of legislators that escorted her into the chamber are there as she hugs her family that has been sitting in the rostrum watching and listening to her speech, as well. And then the committee of legislators will escort her and her family back out of the House chamber. A joint session of the Iowa Legislature, the 100 members of the House, and the 50 members of the Senate here in this joint session in the House chamber to hear Governor Reynolds ninth condition of the state address as she lays out her agenda for the 2026 legislative session and the legislators will soon gavel out for the evening the governor's speech highlighted a number of different policy proposals and things that are important to her, and what she would like to see the legislature tackle this coming legislative session. And I am joined here on our set above the House chamber by Erin Murphy, the Des Moines bureau chief for the Gazette in Cedar Rapids, and, Erin, not only do we hear policy proposals, but the the biggest applause line was probably early on in the speech. The governor, recognizing and paying tribute to the two fallen soldiers from Iowa that were killed a month ago.

[Erin Murphy] Yeah, a somber moment and obviously a tragic set of circumstances that we've experienced here in Iowa. Governor Reynolds making allusion to that very early on in her remarks. And as you mentioned, I've been around here since 2012. Certainly one of the, if not the longest ovation I've heard during these moments. Very touching and heartfelt moment you could see from the response what that meant to the family members who were here tonight.

[Graven] Absolutely. And certainly nothing political with that. That's something very unifying for everyone here in the House chamber. So let's get to the politics of it. We are joined with Representative Brian Meyer, the House Democratic leader, and Representative Meyer. I guess just first of all, will give you the chance to give us your first reaction. What did you think from what you heard the governor speak to this evening?

[Rep. Brian Meyer, D-Des Moines, Iowa House Democratic Leader] Well, I think she sounded a very positive note at the beginning. And there's certainly some things that Iowa House Democrats look forward to working with her on, lowering costs, cutting property taxes and that sort of thing. I think those are the things that we need to be focused on. Unfortunately, they've been in charge for almost ten years and have concentrated on and focused on divisive social issues. So it's nice to hear some actual issues that we can all agree on.

[Murphy] One of the issues that everybody's been talking about up here is property taxes. We heard the governor give sort of an outline of her proposal for the first time. Let me first get your kind of early reaction to that.

[Meyer] Yeah, I think it's an interesting proposal. I, you know, our goal as House Democrats would be to see the details. Our goal is to protect first responders on the local level, fund schools and make sure our local governments can actually do the work that they need to do. But we also recognize that we need to lower property taxes. And so I think it's a good conversation that all of us can have. But, you know, we need to see the details.

[Murphy] Yeah. And in that conversation that's being had now in the early days of the session, we've already seen a proposal from Senate Republicans. Now, the governor, House Democrats introduced one last week. Are there any elements that are nonstarters as far as your view, out of the things that you've heard pitched so far that House Democrats just cannot support?

[Meyer] Well, not not necessarily nonstarter, but I think there are things that we probably need to make sure that we're not cutting too deep to the bone and that if we are cutting property taxes, we need to find the revenue somewhere. And unfortunately, the state's broke. We are in a fiscal death spiral, but I think the state needs to be picking up some of these costs on the local level.

[Graven] It's such a complicated issue, and you're talking about spending. Obviously, spending is part of the equation. How do you resolve such a complicated issue this coming session? Is this going to take up a lot of the oxygen in the room for the next few months, do you think?

[Meyer] Yeah, I think it is going to take up a lot of the oxygen, oxygen in the room. I think it is complicated, but I think they're making it overly complicated. We need to look at residential property taxes. We need to look at those and and cut those taxes and cut taxes for seniors and look at renters. Renters need some relief as well. So if we could cut taxes for residential properties, cut taxes for seniors, and cut taxes for renters, that's what we need to be focusing on.

[Graven] One of the things last year that the governor proposed was $1 million for studying what's causing cancer in Iowa. That seemed to be a proposal that had broad bipartisan support. This year, she's proposing taking money that's coming into Iowa from the federal government for rural health care. In year one, spending $50 million for cancer screenings, treatment, those sorts of things. Is that something also that you think can earn bipartisan support?

[Meyer] Well, again, we have to look at exactly what the details are in this. It's ironic that she's talking about this because, you know, unfortunately, there's been no effort by her to to help us get ACA subsidies put back in and on on the national level, the the best thing we can do to cut cancer rates is to give people health care. And we need to have a single minded focus on health care, early detection. And I applaud her for her comments, but I'll see what the action is behind those comments.

[Murphy] The governor talked a lot about education tonight. One of the things that I know is in her budget proposal is a 2% increase funding for K-12 public schools. That's always a point of debate around the Iowa capital. Is 2% is sufficient number in your mind?

[Meyer] Well, look, it's it's just not enough. I mean, that doesn't even cover inflation for some of these school districts. It's unfortunate that they have been spending like drunken sailors while cutting school funding, but they don't spend it on schools. Her comment that Iowa's number one in education, I don't know what the metrics is that she is using, but Iowa is definitely not number one in education. We keep slipping and slipping and slipping, and it's because of the last nine years of Republican control. So while I applaud some of the efforts that she's talked about in getting education to be back stronger, Iowa needs to make an even stronger effort to make education number one again. When I was growing up in the in the 70s and 80s, Iowa was always number one in education. And unfortunately, because of Republican control, we've lost that spot.

[Murphy] In our last minute here. One of the things we did not hear from the governor was on the topic of eminent domain and property rights. There was a bill introduced and run by House Republicans right shortly before the governor's address tonight. Were you hoping to hear from her on that topic tonight?

[Meyer] I was hoping to hear her lead on that topic, and she has not led on that at all. It's unfortunate because I think some of the conversation needs to have everybody at the table. Everybody needs to be at the table. There's got to be a way we can figure this out to protect landowners, but also help farmers out. And unfortunately, she's kind of left that out of this conversation.

[Graven] One quick last question. Aside from eminent domain, is there anything else that you expected or hoped to hear from the governor tonight that you did not?

[Meyer] Well, I think some of her conversation, and I was glad to hear about first time home buyers, was something that we are going to be proposing, something very similar to what she said tonight. We're going to be proposing our own plans tomorrow. And so I look forward to working with the Republicans on some of this stuff. And unfortunately, her statement that the State of the Union or the state of the state is strong or the condition of the state is strong is unfortunately not true. We're in a fiscal death spiral and we're going to be hurting. We're going to be hurting.

[Graven] And the hard work begins now for the coming days and weeks for you and your and your colleagues here in the legislature. Thank you for your time. We're going to have you at the Iowa Press table at the end of this month. So we'll talk about some of these proposals in in more detail, I'm sure. Thank you. Representative Meyer. We appreciate it.

And this is just the beginning of a very busy week here at the state Capitol, here for Iowa PBS coming up tomorrow morning at 10:00. That's Wednesday morning at 10 a.m. We have the Condition of the Judiciary address, live streaming coverage of Iowa Supreme Court Chief Justice Susan Christensen giving her address to the legislature. That starts at 10 a.m. Then Thursday morning, also at ten, we'll provide a live stream of the Condition of the Guard address from Major General Steven Osborne, adjutant general of the Iowa National Guard. You'll find both of those live streams at iowapbs.org.

Then on this week's Iowa Press, our guests will be speaker of the Iowa House Republican Pat Grassley. Iowa Press, of course, airs at 7:30 Friday night and again at noon Sunday. You can watch it online anytime at iowapbs.org. For our entire Iowa PBS crew here at the Iowa State House. I'm Travis Graven. Thank you for joining us this evening.

Funding for this program is provided by Friends, The Iowa PBS Foundation, as well as generations of families and friends who feel passionate about the programs they watch on Iowa PBS.