The Republican majority in the Iowa House will expand to 59 out of 100 seats when the legislature starts in 2017. In the Iowa Senate, Republicans will hold at least 29 of the 50 seats. Democrats had held a narrow majority for the past six years, meaning Democrats have decided what bills were passed in the Senate.
In January, Republican Terry Branstad will enter his 23rd year as governor, but he’s only had a Republican-led House and Senate for two years during that long tenure. That changes on January 9th when the next legislative session starts.
Branstad, who has two years remaining on his current term, isn’t publicly sharing a particularly long “to do” list.
Cutting taxes is likely to be a high priority for legislative republicans.
