Iowa Governor Highlights Achievements, Proposes New Policies

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds delivered her eighth Condition of the State address, emphasizing Iowa's achievements such as being the number one state for retirement and fiscal responsibility, and highlighting tax reductions, including a new 3.8% flat income tax rate. Reynolds proposed a ban on cell phone use in K-12 classrooms to enhance educational focus and announced plans to request a federal waiver for Medicaid work requirements for able-bodied adults. She introduced initiatives to improve childcare access, such as making childcare free for childcare workers and launching a $16 million grant program for preschool partnerships. The Democratic response, led by State Senator Janice Weiner, criticized the lack of progress on affordable housing and childcare. Additionally, midwifery advocates called for increased support and policy changes to address Iowa's maternal health care deserts.