(Radio Iowa) – The 2023 Iowa legislative session has ended. The Republican majority approved a series of G-O-P priorities like state funding for private school expenses and curbs on what books are allowed in public school libraries, A bipartisan property tax relief plan cleared the legislature this week. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver says those issues were at the top of the G-O-P’s list for 2023.

“We wanted to work on school choice. We wanted to work on parental empowerment,” Whitver says. “…We really wanted to work on property taxes knowing that the huge assessments were coming. I think we were able to get all of those things accomplished, so it was a very, very successful year.” House Speaker Pat Grassley began talking about school choice in 2020 and he says with 24 new Republicans in the Iowa House this year, the plan came together.

“We try to make commitments and follow through with those things that we tell Iowans we’re going to do,” Grassley says, “whether it’s on the campaign trail or whether it’s when we show up here for the first day of session,” Grassley says. Democrats say Republicans have left two BILLION dollars in the taxpayer relief fund and even more tax revenue remains unspent and House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says it could have been used on key priorities, like water quality.

“We could be investing in public schools. We could be doing more for mental health in this state. We could be doing more for the issues that Iowans can about with those resources,” Konfrst says. “Instead, they’re sitting in an account, so that the governor can brag about having a big account.” Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says the G-O-P pursued divisive policies this year.”Republican poured gasoline on the flames of the culture war by undermining and politicizing Iowa’s public schools…banning books from school libraries,” Wahls say,” and attacking the freedoms of parents and the LGBTQ community.”

This (Thursday) afternoon, Governor Kim Reynolds is signing the property tax changes that passed the legislature this week with the support of Republicans and nearly all Democrats. Lawmakers say the goal is to ensure this spring’s assessments don’t lead to massive property tax increases in September of next year.