In this episode of ITR Live, Representative Taylor Collins joins Chris Hagenow for a conversation on higher education reform, property taxes, government spending, and what comes next for Iowa’s conservative majority. Collins reflects on his role as chair of Iowa’s new House Higher Education Committee, a position created to take on real reform—not just talk about it. He shares how his committee helped establish the new Center for Intellectual Freedom at the University of Iowa, designed to restore...
Jul 17, 2025•29 min
In this post–4th of July episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson recap a big week in Iowa and national politics, including Chris’s firsthand experience attending Donald Trump’s rally at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. The event served as the national kickoff for America’s 250th anniversary celebration, and the hosts reflect on the rally’s strong themes of patriotism, national renewal, and unapologetic American pride. They also unpack Trump’s remarks on foreign policy, economic wins, ...
Jul 09, 2025•28 min
On this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow welcomes back Sarah Curry for a wide-ranging discussion on new Iowa laws, fireworks, local government power, and how communities define success. July 1 marks the beginning of Iowa’s new fiscal year—and the effective date for many of the bills passed during the 2025 legislative session. The conversation covers Iowa’s new hands-free driving law, changes to civil rights code language, and fireworks preemption—highlighting how the state is asserting authori...
Jul 02, 2025•31 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a wide-ranging discussion —from Iowa’s economic development subsidies to escalating foreign tensions. The show opens with a nod to Abraham Lincoln (in bust form) and an editorial comment on questionable taxpayer-funded art installations near ITR’s headquarters. The episode shifts to foreign policy, where the hosts weigh in on the U.S. airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and the surprising ceasefire that followed. Chr...
Jun 25, 2025•30 min
Iowa politics is heating up—even in the summer. In this episode, Chris and John discuss behind-the-scenes moves in the 2026 Iowa governor’s race, including State Representative Eddie Andrews’ growing focus on property tax reform. They also cover Governor Reynolds’ recent veto and the potential for a special legislative session to override it. The conversation turns to local government spending, highlighting Iowa City’s plan to pursue a local-option sales tax—despite already implementing a franch...
Jun 19, 2025•44 min
In this episode of ITR Live, the team reviews the final actions taken by Governor Kim Reynolds as the 2025 Iowa legislative session comes to a close. With the deadline for gubernatorial action now passed, the conversation highlights which bills received her signature, which didn’t, and what it all means for Iowa taxpayers. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson walk through key legislation signed into law—emphasizing wins for taxpayers, education freedom, and limited government. They also explore th...
Jun 13, 2025•29 min
In this episode of ITR Live, the conversation centers on a persistent theme: the growth in government spending at every level, and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill. Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson argue that despite the headlines and partisan noise, the real problem isn’t tax cuts—it’s the continued growth of spending in federal, state, and local budgets. The episode opens with Iowa political news: Representative Eddie Andrews has entered the race for governor, launching what could be ...
Jun 05, 2025•43 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a range of pressing issues, from Senator Rand Paul’s recent visit to Iowa and the implications of his federal spending critique, to the Iowa legislature’s new civics education requirement for high school students. It’s an episode that connects federal fiscal concerns with state-level responsibility—and a call to renew America’s civic literacy. The discussion begins with Paul’s call for real entitlement reform and block grantin...
May 29, 2025•35 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson take a deep dive into the proposed federal “Big, Beautiful Bill” —a sweeping tax and budget to extend the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). They explore what’s included, how it could impact Iowa taxpayers, and why federal spending policy is just as important to state-level fiscal decisions as what happens in Des Moines. The episode starts with local stories, including Axios Des Moines’ report on housing incentives and Des Moines’ c...
May 21, 2025•36 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson return to the Hendrickson Library to break down the latest developments at the Iowa Capitol. With the legislative session winding down, the duo provides an insightful overview of major fiscal and tax policy victories, including the final status of property tax reform, and Iowa’s continued momentum toward a pro-growth, limited-government future. The conversation highlights the effectiveness of Governor Kim Reynolds’ conservative agen...
May 13, 2025•32 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson go deep on the one issue driving nearly every fiscal headache in Iowa: government spending. From the state budget being finalized at the Capitol to property tax increases across the state, this episode is a comprehensive takedown of how unchecked spending—at both the state and local level—is the real cause of Iowa’s tax burden. Chris and John start with the state budget process, which is on track to grow by over 5% this year—fueled ...
May 01, 2025•33 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson tackle a growing debate in Iowa: Should state tax policy include more exemptions, carveouts, and targeted relief—or should we stay focused on keeping rates low for everyone? The conversation dives into a series of recent proposals, including sales tax exemptions for toilet paper and vitamins, as well as income tax exemptions for tips and overtime pay. While these proposals may have some political appeal, Chris and John argue they’re...
Apr 24, 2025•28 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson unpack major developments from the Iowa Capitol, including the latest version of the property tax reform bill, the advancement of the two-thirds taxpayer protection amendment, and the political shockwave following Governor Kim Reynolds’ announcement that she will not seek reelection in 2026. The conversation begins with a look at the latest legislative updates, including a revised property tax proposal that weakens the original 2% c...
Apr 16, 2025•30 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow is joined by David Hoyt, Executive Director of School Board for Academic Excellence, to announce the launch of IowaReportCard.org, a powerful new data transparency tool built to assess the performance and spending of public schools across Iowa. Chris and David walk through how the report card platform gives parents, taxpayers, and school board members the information they need to make informed decisions about student outcomes, district spending, graduat...
Apr 14, 2025•24 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson deliver a packed discussion on Iowa’s legislative session, focusing on budget targets, property tax reform, and a comprehensive historical take on tariffs and trade policy. Chris begins by praising Iowa’s legislature for its self-imposed spending limits, which have kept spending well below legal thresholds and positioned the state for bold income tax cuts, including the move to a 3.8% flat tax. The hosts contrast this fiscal discipl...
Apr 10, 2025•38 min
In this episode of ITR Live , Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry give a real-time update on Iowa’s local property tax hearings , what they’re learning from the numbers coming in, and why taxpayer engagement is more important than ever. They walk through what’s happening on the ground during local budget season—and how Iowans can show up and push back on excessive local spending. Sarah shares early results from her county-by-county property tax tracking , highlighting that while some counties like Cas...
Apr 04, 2025•29 min
In this special episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow shares his full remarks from the annual ITR Foundation and NFIB Tax Day Luncheon, delivered before a crowd of engaged Iowans, legislators, and policy leaders in downtown Des Moines. Blending humor, storytelling, and serious policy analysis, Chris sets the stage for the future of Iowa’s tax reform movement. The remarks begin with a nod to Iowa’s remarkable progress on income tax reform—from a top rate of 8.98% to today’s 3.8% flat tax—positioning...
Mar 31, 2025•19 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest state revenue estimate and how it will shape Iowa’s budget and tax policy for the coming year. The hosts explain how the March Revenue Estimate (REC) showed a slight decrease in projected revenue due to the phased-in impact of Iowa’s flat tax, but emphasize that this was expected and part of the long-term tax reduction strategy. Chris and John highlight Iowa’s strong financial position despite the revenue drop....
Mar 18, 2025•37 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest ITR Foundation poll and what it reveals about Iowa voters’ priorities. The results show that fiscal issues are more important than ever, with tax policy, government spending, and inflation dominating voter concerns. Surprisingly, issues like illegal immigration and abortion have dropped in importance, possibly reflecting confidence that Trump will address these issues in his second term. Chris and John analyze ...
Mar 10, 2025•29 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow welcomes Alan Ostergren back to the podcast for a deep dive into government spending, conservative governance, and the broader fight against bureaucratic waste. The discussion kicks off with the ongoing push for transparency in federal spending, including revelations about Stacey Abrams’ nonprofit receiving $2 billion from the Biden administration for a questionable stove replacement program. The conversation explores Governor Reynolds’ DOGE initiative ...
Feb 28, 2025•41 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the latest legislative developments in Iowa, covering tax policy, energy reforms, and a controversial protest at the Capitol. The discussion opens with a look at the busy March legislative schedule, where key tax proposals—such as the “no income tax on tips” bill and property tax caps—are making their way through the Statehouse. The hosts also discuss Governor Reynolds’ energy bill, which includes a right of first refusal...
Feb 25, 2025•27 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cover a range of hot topics, from anti-Trump protests at the Iowa Capitol and ongoing battles for conservative policy victories in Iowa. The discussion kicks off with the 50501 Protest Movement, which attempted to rally against Trump, DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency), and recent conservative reforms. The hosts break down why these protests fail to resonate with everyday Iowans and how the left’s political messaging continu...
Feb 18, 2025•29 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and Sarah Curry break down franchise fees, how they impact Iowa taxpayers, and why cities are increasingly turning to these hidden taxes. They explore how local governments justify new fees under the guise of funding public services while increasing spending on non-essential projects like arts funding and recreational facilities. Sarah explains how Iowans can use ITR Local to track city and county spending, hold officials accountable, and participate in...
Feb 14, 2025•26 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson discuss Governor Reynolds’ DOGE initiative, a new effort to cut government spending and improve efficiency in Iowa. They explore how DOGE aligns with Trump’s federal spending crackdown, particularly on foreign aid and bureaucratic waste. The hosts also analyze Trump’s foreign policy moves, including Ukraine peace talks and NATO policy shifts, highlighting his direct negotiation style. They break down Iowa’s rolling conformity with f...
Feb 12, 2025•30 min
In this episode of ITR Live, host Chris Hagenow welcomes Alan Ostergren to discuss various political themes, including insights on the current legislative session, the importance of conservative governance, property tax discussions, immigration enforcement, executive orders, federalism, and education reform. The conversation highlights the achievements of the conservative movement in Iowa and the need for continued efforts to enhance state authority and efficiency in government spending. Takeawa...
Feb 05, 2025•40 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson discuss key developments in Iowa politics, including the unexpected passing of State Representative Martin Graber, ongoing debates over Iowa’s school funding formula, and concerns over the state’s growing government debt. The episode provides a deep dive into Iowa’s property tax system and how supplemental state aid (SSA) for education impacts local budgets. Chris breaks down how school funding works, the latest legislative proposal...
Feb 03, 2025•31 min
In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson return to the Hendrickson Library to discuss a wide range of topics, including updates on the legislative session, Governor Reynolds’ Condition of the State address, and the early days of Donald Trump’s second presidency. The hosts dive into Iowa’s special election for the open Senate seat, providing insights into the candidates and the implications for the state’s supermajority Republican legislature. A key segment focuses on prope...
Jan 27, 2025•39 min
On this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson break down the opening day of Iowa’s 91st General Assembly, featuring powerful speeches from key legislative leaders. The episode begins with an emotional address from Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver, who provides an inspiring update on his health journey and reflects on the importance of perseverance. His message underscores the unity and resolve of Iowa’s leaders as they tackle the challenges of the new session. The hosts delv...
Jan 14, 2025•31 min
In this episode of the ITR Live Podcast, Chris Hagenow welcomes Sarah Curry to discuss the pressing issue of property taxes in Iowa. The conversation dives into the state’s property tax system, highlighting a significant milestone: Iowa’s property tax collections have reached $7 billion annually, reflecting an unsustainable growth trajectory. Sarah provides an in-depth analysis of historical trends, the effectiveness of past reforms, and the challenges of curbing local government spending. The h...
Jan 09, 2025•31 min
In this episode of the ITR Live podcast, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson kick off the new year from the Hendrickson Library at the Institute for the Preservation of Western Civilization. They explore what’s on the horizon for Iowa politics in 2025, focusing on key issues likely to dominate the legislative session, including tax reform, education, and property taxes. The hosts delve into how Iowa maintains strong fiscal management and contrasts it with challenges in states like Minnesota. The ...
Jan 07, 2025•25 min
