Reynolds, a Republican, outlined her priorities for the 2024 legislative session during her Condition of the State Address.

One of the governor’s legislative priorities mirrors a proposal from state Rep. Ann Meyer, R-Fort Dodge.

Reynolds proposed extending Medicaid coverage for post partum care for 12 months for new mothers who earn less than $42,000 a year.

Before the governor gave her speech, Meyer had introduced a bill that would extend Medicaid post partum coverage from the current two months to 12 months.

“If we’re going to support moms we need to support post partum care out to 12 months,” Meyer said.

She said she did not know that the extension was a priority for Reynolds until she heard the governor’s speech. She said she was “happily surprised.”

Meyer’s bill will first come before the Health and Human Services Committee that she leads.

“I can’t imagine anyone being against it,” she said.

Income taxes

As a result of previously approved legislation, Iowa’s income tax rate is being eased down to 3.9 percent, a level it is currently set to reach in 2026.

On Tuesday, Reynolds proposed speeding up the process.

“That’s one thing that I’ve always been interested in,” said state Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge.

He has said he would like to see that 3.9 percent level attained this year or next year.

On Tuesday, Reynolds called for a 3.65 percent income tax rate retroactive to Jan. 1. She also called for a 3.5 percent rate in 2025.

Kraayenbrink said he’s pleased the governor is “moving immediately” on tax relief. He said he had not heard the 3.5 percent figure before the governor’s speech.

Meyer said she supports the governor’s tax cut plan.

“If we’re posting that much of a surplus, we’re obviously pulling too much money from the taxpayers,” she said.

Meyer said she likes cutting taxes, but added that she wants to make sure the state’s priorities are funded.

“I want to make sure we’re not shorting ourselves,” she said. “I don’t think we are, because every time we cut taxes revenue goes up.”

Area Agencies on Education

Area Agencies on Education, commonly called AEAs, provide special education and other services to school districts.

Reynolds proposed narrowing their focus to special education only and putting them under the oversight of the Department of Education.

As part of her plan, school districts would no longer have to pay the local AEA for special education services. Her proposal would enable the districts to keep their special education money and use it to pay the AEA or whatever other agency the school board wants to provide services.

“There is a lot of false information that her goal is to get rid of AEAs,” Kraayenbrink said. “I don’t think that is what she’s talking about at all.”

He said Reynolds wants the changes to try to boost test scores of students with disabilities.

Meyer said she received a lot of email from constituents who believed Reynolds would propose abolishing AEAs.

“That’s obviously not what’s going to happen,” she said.

Mental health

Mental health and substance abuse treatment are now coordinated by a series of regional entities. There are separate organizations for mental health and substance abuse.

Reynolds proposed consolidating all these organizations into seven entities. Each of the seven would be responsible for both mental health and substance abuse.

Kraayenbrink and Meyer were surprised by that proposal.

“I was kind of taken off guard by that,” he said.

Meyer said she thinks the consolidation will be a good idea. She said that many people with substance abuse issues also have mental health conditions.

She said the governor’s proposal would “help consolidate care a little better.”

State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, did not return a call seeking comment for this article.