(Radio Iowa) – G-O-P leaders in the Iowa legislature are promising tax cuts, welfare reform and new state support for parents who enroll their kids in private schools. Democrats say their focus is on addressing Iowa’s workforce shortage. Senate Republican Leader Jack Whitver, of Ankeny, says major, permanent tax reform is his main goal. “In a post-pandemic economy, the competition is fierce for jobs and citizens,” Whitver says. “If policymakers want to make this state grow, we must be on the list of states with the lowest income tax in America.” House Speaker Pat Grassley of New Hartford isn’t signalling how low the House G-O-P might like to cut income tax rates — only that the state’s surplus must be returned to taxpayers. “This is something every Iowan can understand,” Grassley says. “The state is taking in more tax money that it needs and Iowans deserve to have that money back.”

Senate President Jake Chapman, a Republican from Adel, says legislators should take a stand against books in schools that he says describe sexually deviant behavior. “When students are subjected to this violating content, we need to ensure parents have the ability to protect their children by removing them from that district,” Chapman says. “We can and must tear down the financial barriers that prevent parents from making that decision.” Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls says workforce is the most important issue facing our state and the G-O-P’s culture war isn’t helping. “As Republican leaders gladly tell us, they have been in full control of our state government since 2017 and Republicans are now promising us more of the same that hasn’t worked to solve our workforce issues,” Wahls says. “…We’ve been told there will be more of the greatest hits this session: more attacks on LGBTQ Iowans, more gasoline on te culture war fire.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst of Windsor Heights says despite philosophical differences, Iowans expect the legislature to tackle challenges. “We see Iowa companies continuing to have ‘Help Wanted’ signs in their windows and they are pleading with us to do all we can to help them find workers,” Konfrst says. “Certainly, workforce challenges are happening all across the country, which is why it’s so important that we work holistically to address this crisis in Iowa.” Konfrst says in addition to making child care not only available, but affordable, there need to be more housing options in Iowa’s small towns, rural areas and cities.

House Majority Leader Matt Windschitl, of Missouri Valle,y says there are many opportunities for Republicans and Democrats to work together in 2022. “Let us try and focus on those opportunities to build the bridges instead of burn ’em,” Windschitl said. “I know it’s easy to do when we get on Facebook and Twitter and try to burn down the opposition, but let us find those times when we can actually move forward together and get done what Iowans expect us to do.”

Governor Reynolds will reveal details of her legislative priorities tomorrow (Tuesday) night. The governor’s annual “Condition of the State” address is scheduled to start at 6 p.m.