In this episode of ITR Live, Chris Hagenow and John Hendrickson cut through the noise on some of Iowa’s most talked-about policy issues—from the latest IPERS debate to ongoing efforts to rein in government spending.

They unpack the findings of Iowa’s Department of Government Efficiency Task Force, exploring what proposed changes could mean for taxpayers at both the state and local levels. Chris and John discuss how spending reforms are framed in the public debate and why messaging often determines whether conservative ideas succeed or fail.

Along the way, they tackle the political posturing surrounding IPERS, highlight examples of government duplication across Iowa’s 99 counties, and touch on national developments, including redistricting fights in Texas and what lessons they might hold for Iowa.

Whether it’s pensions, budgets, or bureaucratic bloat, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at the facts—and how they’re communicated—so taxpayers can see past the rhetoric.