It’s been too long since I put up one of these discussion threads. Ask me anything about Iowa politics! That could include questions related to the legislature’s work, or state government, or results from the 2022 elections (I’m still working my way through some of that data).
If you are a glutton for punishment, you can look through the huge bill (more than 1,500 pages) outlining Reynolds’ government reorganization. Let me know if you spot any red flags that might escape my attention. I’m working on articles about several angles. All will be featured on my other free email newsletter, which includes links to all recent coverage on my website.
In other news, I’m organizing some house parties as fundraisers for Bleeding Heartland around the state over the next several months. Locations include Des Moines and its suburbs, Ames, Boone, Pella, Knoxville, Newton, Iowa City, Cedar Rapids, Fairfield, and Davenport. Let me know if you would like to help plan one of these informal events, or be added to the invitation list. I will speak briefly about my website and my work, then take questions about any Iowa political topic. There is no minimum donation level.
Update: I forgot to include donation links for those who would like to support my work (and are not Iowa elected officials, candidates, or paid campaign staff or consultants). Readers can give with a credit card here, or through PayPal, Venmo, Patreon, and Substack. I also accept personal checks (please message me for the mailing address).
Laura--I would be interested in hosting a house party in Algona for you and Bleeding Heartland. We are currently in FL but will return in April. I am thinking May if that would work for you. We would like to host you and yours for the night since it's 2 1/2 hours from DM. Let me know if you're interested in a road trip that far...Chris Louscher 515 320-2583
I'm reading the book Newspaper Confidential (Margaret Sullivan). Demise of local newspapers and mistrust of journalists is one of the most serious issues facing this country today. News is fragmented; "readers" lured by click-bait; less shared narrative about what's happening . . . Oy!
This might be a question or comment, I'm not sure which.
When do you think that Iowa might reach what I might call a "Kansas" moment, when the majority of the state has a realization that the policies and beliefs of those in charge of the state government are not what they once were and are now going off the rails? I think many Iowa residents believe it is still the 1980's in Iowa and Republicans are like Jim Leach, Robert Ray, and 20th century Chuck Grassley. I'm not sure many of them are even paying attention to what is going on in Des Moines.
I have to think that moment will arrive when these rural schools around Iowa start closing and the residents begin realizing that the places that they consider to be the center of their communities are not coming back because we have a governor and a legislature that has no interest in educating all the youth in the state. When that happens, I might see the rural populations turning on their representatives because they lost their hometown schools and sports teams.
Two other comments, as well.
1. I am absolutely happy that the Iowa Caucuses are dying out; this state has no business being the exclusive gatekeeper of presidential politics based on what has happened in the state this decade.
2. I love what you and the other members of the Iowa Writers Collaborative are doing because we need some active journalism to keep watching what is going on in this state. I might not be flush with cash, but I have to seriously consider getting at least one or two paid subscriptions to the group.
1. NYT had an article about how 12% of all nursing home closures in the US are from our state. If accurate, why isn’t there more noise by advocates, D’s, etc? Esp since Capitol Dispatch continues to report problems--abuse, deaths --in nursing home industry.
2. Why hasn’t there been more attention by advocates, elected officials, etc. to how families with a disabled member are being “treated” this session?
From Iowa Data Center, in 2021, nearly 50% percent of households receiving food stamps have one or more persons with a disability. With the education bill, children with disabilities will be disproportionately harmed (private schools are exempt from most state education requirements to accept children with disabilities).
Laura--I would be interested in hosting a house party in Algona for you and Bleeding Heartland. We are currently in FL but will return in April. I am thinking May if that would work for you. We would like to host you and yours for the night since it's 2 1/2 hours from DM. Let me know if you're interested in a road trip that far...Chris Louscher 515 320-2583
I'm reading the book Newspaper Confidential (Margaret Sullivan). Demise of local newspapers and mistrust of journalists is one of the most serious issues facing this country today. News is fragmented; "readers" lured by click-bait; less shared narrative about what's happening . . . Oy!
This might be a question or comment, I'm not sure which.
When do you think that Iowa might reach what I might call a "Kansas" moment, when the majority of the state has a realization that the policies and beliefs of those in charge of the state government are not what they once were and are now going off the rails? I think many Iowa residents believe it is still the 1980's in Iowa and Republicans are like Jim Leach, Robert Ray, and 20th century Chuck Grassley. I'm not sure many of them are even paying attention to what is going on in Des Moines.
I have to think that moment will arrive when these rural schools around Iowa start closing and the residents begin realizing that the places that they consider to be the center of their communities are not coming back because we have a governor and a legislature that has no interest in educating all the youth in the state. When that happens, I might see the rural populations turning on their representatives because they lost their hometown schools and sports teams.
Two other comments, as well.
1. I am absolutely happy that the Iowa Caucuses are dying out; this state has no business being the exclusive gatekeeper of presidential politics based on what has happened in the state this decade.
2. I love what you and the other members of the Iowa Writers Collaborative are doing because we need some active journalism to keep watching what is going on in this state. I might not be flush with cash, but I have to seriously consider getting at least one or two paid subscriptions to the group.
Best of luck with your endeavors.
I would enjoy attending in Fairfield. I would also be willing to host in Ottumwa
2 comments/questions.
1. NYT had an article about how 12% of all nursing home closures in the US are from our state. If accurate, why isn’t there more noise by advocates, D’s, etc? Esp since Capitol Dispatch continues to report problems--abuse, deaths --in nursing home industry.
2. Why hasn’t there been more attention by advocates, elected officials, etc. to how families with a disabled member are being “treated” this session?
From Iowa Data Center, in 2021, nearly 50% percent of households receiving food stamps have one or more persons with a disability. With the education bill, children with disabilities will be disproportionately harmed (private schools are exempt from most state education requirements to accept children with disabilities).