Washington, D.C. – The Club for Growth Foundation has released its 2024 Iowa State Economic Scorecard, offering citizens of the Hawkeye State an in-depth assessment of where individual legislators stand on key economic policies.
The mission of the Club for Growth Foundation is to educate the public on the virtues of economic freedom and limited government. By making the results of its state level economic scorecard easily accessible, the Club for Growth Foundation provides every Iowan, and American across the country, with a look into the legislation that impacts their daily lives.
The Foundation conducted a thorough examination of each legislator’s record on votes related to policies that either promote or undermine economic growth and calculated an Economic Growth Score on a scale of 0 to 100. A score of 100 indicates the highest support for economic freedom. This year, the Club for Growth Foundation evaluated over 1,300 floor votes and, in the end, included 14 Iowa House votes and 12 Iowa Senate votes.
These votes included support for legislation that would significantly lower income tax rates across Iowa as the state moves towards a single, flat rate and a plan that would streamline government efficiency by eliminating or merging dozens of state regulatory and oversight boards. Votes also included opposition to a proposal that would give a 40% pay raise to every elected official in the Iowa state government and a $1 billion higher education appropriations bill that would implement a $52 million year over year increase in tuition grant program spending.
“Through its scorecard series, the Club for Growth Foundation is able to provide every Iowan, along with millions of Americans across the country, the information and resources to understand economic policy at the state level,” said Club for Growth Foundation President David McIntosh. “In 2024, both the Iowa State House and State Senate took up bills that significantly helped, and sometimes hindered, economic growth. We are supportive of pro-growth legislation like the bill to significantly reduce the state’s income tax, moving Iowa closer to a single, flat rate. Additionally, both Chambers passed a bill that streamlined government efficiency by combining or eliminating over 100 state boards and positions. While these votes moved Iowa in the right direction, it was disappointing to see bills that massively increased government spending – like a higher education appropriations bill that came with a $1 billion price tag. Further, in a time of record inflation for Hawkeye families, the State House tried to give themselves a 40% pay raise. Despite the meaningful initiatives enacted in 2024 to promote economic growth, there is still work to be done in the Hawkeye State.”
Club for Growth Foundation is releasing similar scorecards for state legislatures across the country. In 2023, the Club for Growth Foundation released state level scorecards in 22 states.
Key Takeaways on Iowa 2024 Scorecard:
Iowa Senate:
- Senate Members = 50
- Republicans: 34
- Democrats: 16
- Vacancies: 0
- Average Republican Score: 81%
- Average Democrat Score: 22%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Sen. Jeffrey Reichman (SD-50): 85%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Tony Bisignano (SD-15): 29%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Brad Zaun (SD-22): 70%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Sen. Claire Celsi (SD-16), Sen. Pam Jochum (SD-36), Sen. Jenet Petersen (SD-18), Sen. Herman Quirmbach (SD-25), and Sen. Janice Weiner (SD-45): 15%
Iowa House:
- Members = 100
- Republicans: 64
- Democrats: 36
- Vacancies: 0
- Average Republican Score: 68%
- Average Democrat Score: 33%
- Highest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Jeff Shipley (HD-87): 85%
- Highest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Megan Srinivas (HD-30): 52%
- Lowest Rated Republican(s): Rep. Thomas Jeneary (HD-03): 52%
- Lowest Rated Democrat(s): Rep. Elinor Levin (HD-89): 18%
Click here to view the full 2024 Iowa State Economic Scorecard from the Club for Growth Foundation.
This scorecard is based on selected votes of importance to the Foundation and does not include the complete voting record of any legislator. There are inherent limitations in judging the overall qualifications of any legislator based on a selected voting record, and the Foundation does not endorse or oppose any legislator for public office.