When the Iowa Legislature passed House File 718 in 2023, it wiped out voter-approved funding for over 90 libraries and several museums across Iowa without offering a replacement for that critical funding. Now, many of these libraries and museums across the state are cutting hours, laying off staff, canceling programs, and facing possible closures.
The Legislature needs to act this session to fix the funding that HF718 broke.
Restore funding to libraries and museums that lost their 27-cent levies.
Dedicate that funding so cities can’t divert it elsewhere.
Permanently fix the funding formula inside the property tax system.
Respect the original elections so that no re-votes are required.
Local voters chose to fund their libraries and museums. The Legislature must honor that choice.
Read the new EveryLibrary Institute report: Forecasting Library Closures Across Iowa.
Read the Des Moines Register story about the coming closures of these Iowa libraries and museums.
Take action now to urge your State Representative and Senator to fix the HF718 problem during the property tax reform debate this session. Speaker Grassley needs to prioritize this fix. Iowa communities cannot afford to lose their libraries and museums.
