(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds is suggesting the tax and budget cutting formula she’s used over the past seven years could be the model for Republicans who will be in control of congress and the White House next year.  “As Washington prepares for taxes to take center stage in the next administration, there’s a new growth oriented, fiscally conscious model to look to in the heartland,” Reynolds says.

Reynolds, a Republican who’s a former county treasurer and state senator, took over as governor in mid-2017. She has signed five separate tax reduction plans into law. Next month, Iowa’s personal income tax will shrink to a single rate of three-point-eight percent. The state income tax for corporations has been reduced as well.  “Iowa’s journey to tax competitiveness — it wasn’t a matter of a few modest tweaks,” Reynolds says. “It was a complete, top-to-bottom transformation.” Reynolds also spearheaded a reorganization plan for state government in 2023. It consolidated 37 state agencies into 16.

Earlier this year Reynolds signed the law that has eliminated dozens of state boards and commissions. Reynolds says her budget trimming is required in order to cut taxes responsibly. “Fundamentally the story of Iowa’s transformation was less about implementing clever policies and it was more about unleashing the energy and creativity in Iowans and in our communities,” Reynolds syas. “It was truly the triumph of simplicity over complexity, growth over spending and bottom up energy over top down management.”

Reynolds reviewed these and other policies of the past during remarks at the Iowa Taxpayers Association’s annual symposium, but did not reveal what tax or spending ideas she’ll ask legislators to implement in 2025. Reynolds received the annual Iowa Taxpayers Association’s award for advancing business-friendly tax policies. The national Tax Foundation gave Reynolds its annual distinguished service award last month.