DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa lawmakers officially wrapped up the 2025 legislative session Thursday morning, with leaders from both sides of the aisle offering different views on the session’s outcome.
Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver highlighted the achievements, saying, “We hear your concerns about the high costs in our everyday lives, the concerns about costs and access to health care, and concerns about safe communities.” Whitver emphasized the importance of passing bills regarding education, health care, and public safety, and a significant tax cut for Iowa small businesses. “This session, the legislature reduced those unemployment taxes on businesses by nearly a billion dollars,” he said.
Governor Kim Reynolds praised the session’s accomplishments, especially in healthcare and tax reform. “We prioritized rural and maternal healthcare and created a new physician pipeline that will result in 460 new medical residents over the next four years,” Reynolds said. She also highlighted the establishment of a parental leave program for state employees and the reduction of unemployment insurance taxes by half…