Her vote on the steel plant tax credits
What they say
In the October 8 Iowa PBS debate, James confirmed she voted for the state's steel plant incentive package and called it an economic opportunity for good-paying jobs.
“This is one of those economic opportunities for good paying jobs.”
What the record shows ·
On October 2, 2026, in a one-day special session, the Iowa House passed House File 2801 75-17, with James among the ayes. The bill lets the state give one business in a rural county a tax credit of up to 10 percent of its qualifying investment, paid over ten years. Legislative staff's fiscal note, citing the governor's office, says the change is for a Mesabi Metallics steel plant. The Senate passed it 28-19 and the governor signed it the same day.
Limit: This checks her vote, not the plant. The credit is paid only once the project, or a set part of it, is in service and at least half the jobs tied to that part are on the payroll at the required wage.