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 Gov. Kim Reynolds, just as with President Hoover, offered a
different philosophy of government during her televised response to President
Joe Biden’s State of the Union address. Gov. Reynolds offered a clear
conservative policy contrast to President Biden’s progressive liberalism. On the
national stage, the governor shared Iowa’s story of how conservative values
protect and advance both freedom and economic liberty.
Since assuming office in 2017, Gov. Reynolds has advanced a policy agenda rooted
in limited government and the protection of traditional conservative values.
Gov. Reynolds and the Republican-led legislature have consistently passed
prudent budgets while delivering three separate rounds of tax cuts. Iowa voters
have given elected officials a mandate to continue down this path, re-electing
Gov. Reynolds in 2018, and maintaining conservative majorities in the Iowa House
and Senate.
“On the economy, the contrast couldn’t be more stark. While Democrats in D.C.
are spending trillions, sending inflation soaring, Republican leaders around the
country are balancing budgets and cutting taxes. Because we know that money
spent on Main Street is better than money spent on bureaucracy,” noted Gov,
Reynolds. At the direction of Reynolds, Iowa hasn’t just focused on keeping more
money on Main Street while ignoring the federal debt, but our state has returned
$95 million of unnecessary COVID-19 funding to the federal government.
 This week, the governor ensured more money will remain on Main Street when she
signed a historic tax reform measure into law. This new bill will create a 3.9%
individual flat income tax rate by 2026, gradually lower the corporate tax rate
to 5.5%, and eliminate all taxes on retirement income. This is a significant
pro-growth tax reform measure that will lower taxes for all Iowans while
creating economic growth and more opportunities.
Even before the pandemic, Iowa’s economy was growing, and the budget was in
surplus. When the pandemic hit our shores in early 2020, Gov. Reynolds kept
Iowa’s economy open, which resulted in a quick economic recovery. As a result of
her fiscal conservatism, Gov. Reynolds even received an “A” grade from the CATO
Institute’s Fiscal Policy Report Card.
Heading into this year’s legislative session, Iowa was projected to have a $1.2
billion budget surplus, continuing a trend of economic growth coupled with
spending restraint, demonstrating that prosperity isn’t achieved by more taxes
and more spending.
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In her speech, Gov. Reynolds talked about a
“pro-parent” and “pro-family” revolution occurring across the
nation. In Iowa and across the country, parents are growing
frustrated about the radical curriculums and inappropriate books
being taught in schools. “Republicans believe that parents matter.
It was true before the pandemic and has never been more important to
say out loud: Parents Matter. They have a right to know, and to have
a say in, what their kids are being taught,” stated Gov. Reynolds.
The governor is currently advocating for greater transparency and
accountability in school curriculum and library resources.
Throughout the pandemic, Gov. Reynolds also
understood the importance of keeping schools open and Iowa became
the first state to ensure that all students could attend class
in-person. Gov. Reynolds is also fighting for more parental choice
in education. Last year, the legislature expanded education freedom
in Iowa by reducing barriers to open enrollment and expanding
charter schools. Gov. Reynolds continues to push for education
reforms that will allow greater choice for parents in providing the
best educational opportunity for their children.
Most important of all, during her response to President Biden, Gov.
Reynolds summarized what a great silent majority of Americans are
feeling at this time. “Americans are tired of a political class
trying to remake this country into a place where an elite few tell
everyone else what they can and cannot say. What they can and cannot
believe,” stated Gov. Reynolds.
Gov. Reynolds is on the frontlines fighting to stop progressive,
liberal, woke, policies. Whether it is fighting against vaccine
mandates and other federal overreaches, Gov. Reynolds has always
stood with freedom even when it is unpopular. A cultural revolution
is occurring, and it is threatening to destroy traditional values.
“But it’s the American people who are waiting to exhale. Waiting for
the insanity to stop,” noted Gov. Reynolds.
“If we, as elected leaders, are doing our job, then the government
is working well but operating in the background. It’s supporting the
ingenuity and spirit of our people, not drowning them out. It’s
keeping them safe, not restricting their freedom,” stated Gov.
Reynolds.
Gov. Reynolds demonstrated to the nation that conservatism works and
Iowa is a place where freedom and opportunity are flourishing. She
reminded Americans that government is not the solution. A public
policy strategy that wants citizens to thrive must be built on the
foundation of protecting both economic liberty and the values that
have made the United States exceptional.
John Hendrickson is policy director of Iowans for Tax Relief
Foundation |
