As the 2026 legislative session comes to a close, I wanted to take a moment to step back from the day-to-day noise and provide a broader update on what was accomplished this year, where major issues landed and why the legislative process often looks slower and messier than many people would prefer.
First, I want to sincerely thank the people of House District 23 and all Iowans who reached out this session. Whether you agreed with me or challenged me, your input matters. Thousands of emails, calls, conversations at forums, coffee shops, schools, county meetings and events across southwest Iowa helped shape many of the debates we had this year.
Government Was Never Meant to Be Fast
One thing that becomes clearer every year at the Capitol is this:
Our system of government was not designed to operate like a perfectly efficient machine.
The Founders intentionally created a system full of friction, competing interests, checks and balances and multiple layers of debate. That can be frustrating. It can look messy. It can feel slow. Especially in our current “streaming/get everything immediately” culture.
But the alternative is a system where major decisions swing wildly every election cycle with no guardrails or deliberation.
The reality is that meaningful legislation usually comes through negotiation and compromise — not because either side got everything they wanted, but because enough people found a workable step forward. Often, if everyone leaves the room slightly unhappy, it probably means the process worked as intended.
That doesn’t mean we stop pushing for better policy. It simply means progress in a representative republic is usually incremental.
Property Tax Reform: A Step Toward Predictability and Transparency
One of the largest and most difficult discussions this session centered around property taxes.
Iowans across the state have experienced rapidly rising valuations and increasing tax burdens, even in years when levy rates technically stayed the same or dropped slightly. Taxpayers deserve a system that is more transparent, predictable and understandable.
The House pushed strongly for reforms that would slow the growth of property tax collections while still allowing local governments to function and provide core services.
The final framework included several important concepts:
• Greater taxpayer transparency regarding local budgets and levies
• New limitations on unchecked growth in property tax collections
• Guardrails designed to create predictability for homeowners, farmers and businesses
• Continued recognition of local growth and legitimate infrastructure needs
• Efforts to simplify a system that has become extremely confusing for average taxpayers
This issue generated intense debate from every angle — cities, counties, schools, taxpayers, developers and business owners all brought legitimate concerns to the table.
Some wanted much stronger limitations. Others wanted no limitations at all.
What emerged was not a “perfect” bill for either side, but it was a meaningful step toward slowing the trajectory of rising property taxes while continuing to refine how local governments are funded.
And importantly, this conversation is not over. Property tax reform will remain a major issue moving forward.
Water Quality and Infrastructure Investments
This session also included one of the more significant water quality and infrastructure packages Iowa has pursued in recent years.
The legislation restructures how existing water quality dollars are distributed while making major new investments in both conservation practices and water treatment infrastructure.
The package:
• Eliminates the old Water Quality Financing Program
• Expands funding for wastewater and drinking water treatment grants for Iowa communities
• Creates new targeted watershed investments upstream of the Des Moines metro
• Enhances statewide water quality monitoring through the Iowa DNR
• Establishes new infrastructure financing tools for rural communities
• Invests directly in nitrate removal capacity
A major portion of the proposal increases funding for Iowa Finance Authority wastewater and drinking water treatment grants from roughly $7.7 million annually to more than $20 million, helping small communities upgrade aging infrastructure and improve drinking water systems.
The legislation also creates a new targeted conservation initiative through IDALS focused on scalable practices such as cover crops, wetlands, buffers, edge-of-field structures and working lands conservation projects in the greater Des Moines watershed.
Additionally, the package includes:
• $500,000 annually for enhanced water quality monitoring and real-time sensors through the Iowa DNR
• A new Rural Iowa Infrastructure Bank loan program to help small and medium-sized communities finance projects at low interest rates
• A one-time $25 million investment to help expand Central Iowa Water Works nitrate removal capacity
I believe this package reflects an important principle: Iowa can continue leading in agriculture while also making serious investments in clean water, conservation and modern infrastructure. Rather than punishing farmers or rural communities, the focus remains on practical partnerships, targeted conservation, improved technology and long-term stewardship.
Budget Priorities and Fiscal Discipline
This year’s budget process was especially challenging due to ongoing economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures and competing priorities.
Despite those challenges, Republicans continued focusing on responsible budgeting and fiscal discipline.
Some highlights included:
• Continued investment in rural health care initiatives
• Support for workforce development and career training
• Investments in public safety and emergency response
• Support for infrastructure and transportation improvements
• Continued tax relief efforts for Iowa families
• Increased transparency and oversight of state spending and federal grant programs
Iowa remains in a far stronger financial position than many states because we have prioritized balanced budgets, reserve funds and careful spending practices over the past several years.
That discipline matters — especially during uncertain economic times.
Other Wins This Session
This session also included progress in several additional areas:
• Expanding opportunities for career and technical education
• Continued support for biofuels and Iowa agriculture
• Workforce readiness initiatives tied to high-demand careers
• Regulatory modernization efforts
• Improvements to health care access in rural communities
• Public safety and judicial reforms
• Veteran-focused initiatives and recognition programs
• Continued government transparency efforts
Not every proposal made it across the finish line and not every debate ended where I personally hoped it would. That’s part of the legislative process.
But meaningful progress was made.
A Personal Note
As many of you know, serving in the legislature is only one part of my life. Outside the Capitol, Maria and I continue operating our small family business, Sorensen Studios, and working through the Freedom Rock Foundation and mural projects that have taken us across Iowa and our country.
That perspective keeps me grounded.
I understand what it means to balance a budget, worry about rising costs, meet payroll, raise kids and try to build something meaningful while navigating uncertainty.
Public service is an honor, but it is also a responsibility I never take lightly.
Looking Ahead
As we head into the next election cycle, I respectfully ask for your continued support, your prayers, your feedback and ultimately your vote.
I don’t claim to have all the answers. None of us do.
But I will continue showing up, listening, learning and fighting for practical policies rooted in common sense, fiscal responsibility, individual liberty and respect for the hardworking people of Iowa.
Whether we agree on every issue or not, I hope you know this:
I will always do my best to represent this district honestly and thoughtfully.
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve.
I am honored to represent nearly 30,000 constituents across our five counties in southwest Iowa and to serve all Iowans with common sense, fiscal discipline and respect for your hard-earned dollars.
I can be reached at Ray.Sorensen@legis.iowa.gov.
And I’ll see you out in the community, whether that’s at the Capitol, on the campaign trail or behind a paintbrush!
Our Liberties We Prize, and Our Rights We Will Maintain.