As we enter the new year, Iowa lawmakers prepare to reconvene for the 2025 legislative session. Although the session begins on Jan. 13, we already have an idea of what’s to come this year regarding state-level legislation. With multiple bills proposed to target public school districts, Iowa public schools find themselves at the forefront of the legislative agenda. 

Republican senators have made it a priority in the 2025 session to lower property taxes for homeowners across Iowa. A bill is expected to be proposed that aims to reduce property taxes by cutting funding for local governments and school districts. With property taxes increasing by 6%-7% across the state, Republicans prioritize the issue, as this was the top concern for Republican voters during the 2024 caucus, according to Senator Chuck Grassley. 

While the state government attempts to decrease the cost of living, it’s simultaneously taking away from an institution that simply cannot afford to lose any more resources. 

Public schools have experienced a massive decrease in both funding and autonomy. Public schools continue to be the first line item on the chopping block when the state makes budget cuts. 

The passing of bills like the Students First Act, along with a decrease in funding from the state, have forced districts across the state to make tough decisions in terms of budget cuts last session. Last year 144 Iowa counties were forced to consider raising property taxes to keep up with declining enrollment and underfunding. 

The solution to lowering property taxes does not lie in continuing to defund public schools. If the state were to adequately fund the institutions that it serves to protect, then those institutions would not be forced to dip into alternative forms of funding. 

Republican lawmakers have also formed a new committee in the House, known as the Higher Education Committee, separate from the Education Committee. The committee will focus on public and private universities across the state, as well as any other post-secondary institutions. The mission is to encourage universities to not participate in “political agendas” according to Taylor Collins, leader of the committee. 

The committee will likely focus on eliminating and defunding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in universities in an attempt to continue making budget cuts. Last session, the Board of Regents directed a reallocation of more than 2 million dollars from DEI offices and programs. House Republicans will likely continue to defund DEI programs in the 2025 session.

DEI programs attract out-of-state students and provide resources that keep young people in the state. By eliminating these programs, young adults will continue to leave Iowa, a state that’s already dealing with population decline. Iowa lawmakers need to prioritize making the state more accepting of young people to give them a reason to stay. 

The 2025 session will certainly affect the future of Iowa. Public schools are the backbone of our country and deserve to be treated as such. Iowa lawmakers need to prioritize public education and the future of our state.