Governor Kim Reynolds’ Iowa DOGE Task Force is exploring ways to enhance government efficiency, unveiling 45 potential recommendations during their latest meeting. Although the suggestions are still under review and will require a vote for finalization at a future session, several notable changes are being considered, particularly in the realm of education and state employment policies.
Task force member Terry Lutz raised concerns about Iowa’s declining rankings in K-12 education despite increasing funding over the years. He emphasized that the current compensation model for teachers and administrators does not adequately reward effective teaching. “We are not suggesting cutting costs. We want to ensure that funding is directed towards what matters: higher student achievement,” he stated. To that end, the task force is proposing a “pay for performance” system that aligns compensation with student outcomes, coupled with performance dashboards to assess spending correlation with educational achievements.
Additionally, Lutz highlighted disparities in benefits between state employees and their private-sector counterparts. He suggested the replacement of Iowa’s public employee pension system, known as IPERS, with a defined contribution program to mitigate long-term financial liabilities for the state. Currently, the state covers nearly 70% of retirement contributions, while employees contribute only 30%, a balance that he notes is reversed in the private sector. This recommendation extends to health insurance benefits, which Lutz believes should also reflect private sector standards.
Chair Emily Schmitt reiterated the task force’s focus on benchmarking state operations against business efficiency, aiming to enhance service delivery and cut costs through shared services among local governments.
As the task force moves toward final recommendations due by September 29, it is important to note that these proposals will likely influence legislative discussions during the 2026 session. Task force member and CEO Reynolds Cramer emphasized the significance of these recommendations for the future workforce and economy of Iowa, regardless of the prevailing political leadership.
These insights from the Iowa DOGE Task Force serve to highlight the ongoing efforts to improve educational outcomes and state efficiencies, reflecting a proactive approach to addressing contemporary challenges in governance.