There’s enough insightful, informative, incisive content included here to be divided into at least five different major stories. And, ideally that will eventually happen. I really don’t know how many Heather Cox Richardson quality writers I can keep up with. That’s a very nice challenge. Having the opportunity of reading you and this pantheon of IWC writers is making legacy media superfluous. Thank goodness. Substack IWC writers have made idle minds and hands obsolete.
I promise I won't start publishing daily like Heather Cox Richardson!
I do try to pack a lot into these shows. There are other Iowa politics podcasts that cover three or four topics an episode so I feel like this is a good niche for me.
Finally, Julie Stauch is getting some column space. Maybe we’ll get to see some candidates from both parties have to go on the record about their respective views on agricultural policy and pollution.
Years ago Mississipi and Iowa were the only states in the US who did not have a private right of action for consumers to sue corporations who ripped them off. Mississippi finally passed one and Iowa was the only state that didn't protect consumers. It took ten years to get the legislation passed and eventually signed into law by Chet Culver. Republican opposition was fierce--particularly on the issue of class actions. I remember Brad Zaun talking to a group of AARP members at the Capitol expressing concern about the legislation and the potential for frivolous class actions. The only way the bill passed was with Tom Miller calling a couple hold outs and the excellent work of Senator Kurt Swaim. A provision was inserted into the bill requiring Attorney General approval of any class action filed under the Act. At that time, we had an attorney general who both parties trusted and respected. I think the bill passed the Senate unanimously, but only after Republicans waited until all Democrats voted to make sure they actually had the votes. Then, not wanting to be seen as opposing the consumer legislation, they all voted for it.
The law has survived for years without much controversy. So who filed the first frivolous class actions under the private right of action for consumers that I know of? Trump and Brad Zaun in their lawsuits against the Register.
There’s enough insightful, informative, incisive content included here to be divided into at least five different major stories. And, ideally that will eventually happen. I really don’t know how many Heather Cox Richardson quality writers I can keep up with. That’s a very nice challenge. Having the opportunity of reading you and this pantheon of IWC writers is making legacy media superfluous. Thank goodness. Substack IWC writers have made idle minds and hands obsolete.
I promise I won't start publishing daily like Heather Cox Richardson!
I do try to pack a lot into these shows. There are other Iowa politics podcasts that cover three or four topics an episode so I feel like this is a good niche for me.
Laura you do some fantastic political reporting. You and Lisa Dejesdargins are outstanding in the work you do. Thankyou.
Oh my gosh, that is high praise. Lisa’s work is excellent.
Finally, Julie Stauch is getting some column space. Maybe we’ll get to see some candidates from both parties have to go on the record about their respective views on agricultural policy and pollution.
I will be republishing Julie Stauch's commentary at Bleeding Heartland over the next few days.
Years ago Mississipi and Iowa were the only states in the US who did not have a private right of action for consumers to sue corporations who ripped them off. Mississippi finally passed one and Iowa was the only state that didn't protect consumers. It took ten years to get the legislation passed and eventually signed into law by Chet Culver. Republican opposition was fierce--particularly on the issue of class actions. I remember Brad Zaun talking to a group of AARP members at the Capitol expressing concern about the legislation and the potential for frivolous class actions. The only way the bill passed was with Tom Miller calling a couple hold outs and the excellent work of Senator Kurt Swaim. A provision was inserted into the bill requiring Attorney General approval of any class action filed under the Act. At that time, we had an attorney general who both parties trusted and respected. I think the bill passed the Senate unanimously, but only after Republicans waited until all Democrats voted to make sure they actually had the votes. Then, not wanting to be seen as opposing the consumer legislation, they all voted for it.
The law has survived for years without much controversy. So who filed the first frivolous class actions under the private right of action for consumers that I know of? Trump and Brad Zaun in their lawsuits against the Register.