Ask me anything about Iowa politics
plus a few questions for you
This is an open thread for you to ask me anything about the state legislature, state government, this year’s elections in June and November, or anything else about Iowa politics that’s on your mind.
I spent Thursday night and all day Friday sharing ideas and plans with other members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative at Whiterock Conservancy in Coon Rapids.
I’d appreciate your feedback on what kinds of posts you’d like to see more of here. I’ve typically shared two posts a week: one with the audio and recap of my radio show (KHOI’s Capitol Week), and one piece that I wrote for Bleeding Heartland.
Many weeks it’s hard to know which post would be best to share with this audience. This week I cross-posted my piece about Iowa losing out on a big federal grant for solar power, which meant that I didn’t republish in this space what I wrote about the $82 million in earmarks coming to Iowa through federal spending bills, new state laws on insurance coverage for breast exams and biomarker testing, or a new law that closes “resounding gaps” in state code on crosswalks.
Would you like to see more Bleeding Heartland content here? Or are two emails a week plenty? I am reluctant to overwhelm subscribers with messages, especially since I have another free email newsletter that links to everything recently published at the main site.
Julie Gammack holds a regular Monday lunchtime Zoom meeting for subscribers to her Potluck column. I wouldn’t be able to swing that on a weekly basis, but if there’s interest, I could set up an occasional Zoom meeting (perhaps once a month), where I would interview someone about an Iowa political topic. This would be open to all, no requirement to be a paid subscriber. Thoughts or suggestions?
Final note: Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate. And if today brings up difficult emotions for you, I hope you find some way to ease your pain. For many years, it was a hard day for me, since my mother passed away when I was very young. Being outdoors usually improves my state of mind, and I spent part of this morning in the woods, pulling up invasive garlic mustard.
The Iowa Writers’ Collaborative continues to expand, with former Des Moines Register columnist Rachelle Chase planning to launch her column soon. Full list of authors, in alphabetical order:
Your piece on the solar business was excellent, I just spent $17,000 to put in solar and although it is expensive, I find it gratifying my recent bills have been less than ten bucks! Writing grants that are froth with political BS that are intent on failing ear marks our governor for getting the boot. Question is, who will be the best person for the job that represents Iowan's and not Corporate Iowa? Early looking for those potential runners to start taking back the capital would be helpful!
what legislative districts do Dems have the best chance to flip?