The Dickey Dispatch by Senator Adrian Dickey – January 23, 2026
Happy Friday Senate District 44!
The Senate had a shortened second week this week due to the observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday. That meant we hit the ground running on Tuesday, with many subcommittees being scheduled as we consider legislation already introduced for this year.
The Workforce Committee has gotten off to a GREAT start this year having ran four bills through committee this week. As a volunteer firefighter for the past 34 years, a bill I was particularly proud to introduce is SSB 3007, which authorizes schools to offer an elective junior firefighter program to students enrolled in grades eleven and twelve. Another GREAT bill we ran is SSB 3005, which expands eligible programs for unemployment benefits for individuals with certain disabilities.
Wednesday was one of the busiest days at the Capitol so far. The rotunda was filled with FFA students, 4-H members, tourism groups, and veterans. FFA students came from all over the state to meet with legislators, talk about issues in agriculture, and learn about the legislative process while talking with their legislators.
I had the pleasure to meet with FFA students from both Pekin and Oskaloosa, while unfortunately FFA students from Mount Pleasant visited while I was in committee meetings. We had the opportunity to talk about the legislative process in Iowa and how much of the legislation we pass is directly tied to the agricultural sector. I was also able to meet with Oskaloosa YMCA representatives to discuss what they are seeing in daycare needs.
In week 2, we have started to see priority legislation coming from the House, Senate, various state departments, and the Governor’s office. The Senate and Governor Reynolds released their property tax proposals last week and with the House releasing theirs this week, I will be able to start to compare all 3 proposals to see where we can make substantial changes to our inflated property tax system.
The Senate proposal on property tax relief implements mechanisms to rein in spending and slow the growth of government, eliminates the rollback and implements a permanent 50 percent taxable value discount on your homestead property to help provide more certainty and transparency. It also eliminates involuntary property taxes for Iowans 60 years old and older who have fully paid off their mortgage and own their home.
Eminent domain and carbon capture has been a topic that has caused much debate at the statehouse. Senate File 2067 creates a VOLUNTARY easement corridor for this pipeline project to find willing landowners and all but eliminates the need for eminent domain for hazardous liquid pipeline projects. This bill strengthens private property rights for all Iowans involved. Keep in mind the vast majority of Iowans who are affected with this project SUPPORT the project and they also have property rights.
Senate File 2069 enacts a severance tax on the carbon dioxide flowing through the pipelines. It encourages the use of carbon dioxide for enhanced oil recovery to help support President Trump’s vision for energy dominance in the United States, while expanding markets for Iowa agriculture and lowering costs for Iowans.
This has been a complicated issue for many, and we will be working with the House and Governor Reynolds on an agreement.
As we continue into this Legislative Session, I am excited to represent you all in SD 44 as we move forward with legislation that makes improvements for Iowans and our communities.
