Rep. Derek Wulf (R-Hudson),

As session is nearly three weeks from the scheduled end date, progress continues to align for a well-deserved victory as we celebrate positive progress knowing a bright future is ahead for lowa.

I was just as shocked as many of you when my Property Tax Assessments were delivered last week. I understand that disagreements between the individual and their County Assessor’s Office often happen for the market value of a property. The law clearly states an individual property owner may protest if the owner disagrees with the assessed value from the County Assessor’s Office. You can file the form at your local County Assessor’s Office anytime between April 2nd and April 30th. If the board determines your assessed value is fair, you can write to appeal their decision by filling in District Court or with the Property Assessments Appeal Board at the Department of Revenue. For more information please check out the website: https://paab.iowa.gov/appealing-your-assessment.

HF 1 which addresses state property tax reform will be discussed with my participation at the Ways and Means committee this week, and its timing couldn’t be more pertinent. Although property taxes are not set at the state legislature level it will be our intent as we work on this topic to do two things: 1- create transparency, predictability and reasonable moves for property owners and 2- provide for predictable budgeting and fairness for local recipients of property tax revenue.

This week, the House heard from lowans in a public hearing on Senate File 494. This bill aims to ensure that the lowans receiving government assistance for food and health care are those who truly need it. We want to make sure that programs like SNAP and Medicaid are there to support the people and families that need it. And, that those who can, renter the workforce and grow in their careers. For that to be the case, we need to make sure those receiving benefits truly qualify. This bill has already changed quite a bit throughout the legislative process and is likely still not in its final form. As always, it was great to get feedback from lowans on both sides of the issue this week so we can ensure this bill is effective in what we’re setting out to accomplish, without needless, unintended consequences.

Currently, I am serving on the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations subcommittee. The next three weeks will have an increased focus on setting budgets and negotiations with both the senate and governors office to aligning expectations. It will continue to be my focus as budget discussions progress that low remains

fiscally responsible when allocating the tax dollars from all hardworking Iowans.

Rep. Wulf’s district, Iowa House District 76, includes the communities of Traer, Dysart, and Buckingham in Tama County. He can be reached via email: derek.wulf@legis.iowa.gov.