Iowa Downballot Podcast: Expert Panel Breaks Down 2025 Legislative Priorities and Key Debates
Panel
Laura Belin: Writer at Bleeding Heartland and Iowa Politics with Laura Belin newsletter, specializing in in-depth Iowa legislative analysis.
Kathie Obradovich: Editor-in-Chief of Iowa Capital Dispatch, a non-profit news outlet focused on Iowa politics and policy.
Zachary Oren-Smith: Chief Politics Correspondent for Iowa Starting Line and host of the Cornhole Champions podcast.
Dave Price: Journalist for Gray Media and writer of Dave Price’s Perspective, offering in-depth reporting on Iowa politics.
Five Main Topics Discussed
Key Speeches and Legislative Priorities
Highlights from Governor Kim Reynolds' Condition of the State Address and the opening speeches by legislative leaders. Discussions on healthcare, child care, and adoption reforms.
Property Tax Reform
Debate over potential property tax changes, with uncertainty about the Republican majority's vision for reducing local government reliance on property taxes.
Republican Supermajority Challenges
The dynamics of managing a large caucus with diverse opinions and the impact on legislative focus and cohesion.
Bipartisan Issues
Topics, like distracted driving laws, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and childcare policies, have bipartisan appeal but frustrations over delayed action.
Unique and Controversial Bills
Proposals include banning cell phones during instructional time, Medicaid work requirements, and quirky ideas like annexing southern Minnesota counties.
Why Should People Listen or Read the Transcript?
Expert Perspectives: The panelists are seasoned reporters and analysts with deep knowledge of Iowa politics.
Insightful Analysis: The discussion clarifies legislative priorities and challenges facing the 2025 Iowa legislature.
Bipartisan Viewpoints: Listeners get a well-rounded view of key issues and how they affect Iowans.
Timely and Informative: The podcast is an essential guide for understanding the early dynamics and key debates shaping Iowa’s political landscape.
Engaging Content: The conversational tone makes complex political topics accessible and relevant for all audiences.
National Politics
Rekha Basu
Column Blurb: On the eve of Donald Trump's 2017 swearing-in as president, I wrote a column that began: "Lately I’ve been having the strangest dream, in which every core value I hold as absolute is obsolete . . ." Little did we know it would be coming round again eight years later.
Link: Approaching Trump's Second Swearing-in
Why Read It? Rekha Basu reflects on the political upheaval surrounding Trump’s presidencies and its lasting implications.Laura Belin (1)
Column Blurb: Laura Belin looked at who had Senator Joni Ernst's ear—and who didn't—as she considered Pete Hegseth's nomination for secretary of defense.
Link: Laura Belin on National Politics
Why Read It? Gain insider insights into Joni Ernst’s political considerations and decision-making process.Laura Belin (2)
Column Blurb: Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks kicked off the Iowa legislature's 2025 session with an in-depth look at what happened on the opening day and the changing demographics of the state House and Senate.
Link: Kicking Off the Iowa Legislature’s 2025 Session
Why Read It? Stay informed on Iowa’s political demographics and legal battles shaping its future.Phoebe Wall Howard
Column Blurb: As Donald Trump prepares to take office, a spotlight focuses on U.S. relations with Canada and what car buyers must understand is a symbiotic relationship between Ontario and Detroit when it comes to automotive manufacturing.
Link: In Autos, It’s Detroit and Ontario
Why Read It? Discover the critical role U.S.-Canada relations play in the automotive industry and policy.Barry Piatt
Column Blurb: There’s still no new five-year Farm Bill. Barry Piatt continues to track congressional inaction on the long-overdue legislation.
Link: Barry Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtains
Why Read It? Understand the agricultural impact of Congress's inaction on the Farm Bill.Dennis Goldford
Column Blurb: Language is extremely interesting not just in literary terms, but also as a political and social phenomenon.
Link: Semi-Random Anecdotal Thoughts on Language
Why Read It? Explore how language shapes political and cultural narratives in unique ways.Arnold Garson (1)
Column Blurb: Washington Post cartoonist resigns in clash with the newspaper's owner, Jeff Bezos. Do the wealthy owners of newspapers really want their newspapers to survive?
Link: Washington Post Cartoonist Resigns
Why Read It? Dive into the tension between editorial freedom and corporate interests in journalism.Arnold Garson (2)
Column Blurb: Six years after their LA home and everything in it was destroyed by fire, one family shares their journey to rebuild their lives.
Link: The Story of an Earlier Los Angeles
Why Read It? Learn about a family’s resilience in rebuilding their lives after a devastating wildfire.
Political Comedy
- ’s second Substack column will be published Monday. Subscribe now so you don’t have to wait until next Sunday to read: “The Peaceful Transition of Deez Nuts.”
Iowa Politics
Cheryl Tevis
Column Blurb: In her column this week, Cheryl Tevis says the Condition of the State address this week was more like a pep rally than an ambitious, BOLD, get-it-done playbook to create a clean bill of health for all Iowans.
Link: Extending Iowa’s Healthspan
Why Read It? Cheryl Tevis critiques Iowa’s policy approach to public health with insightful commentary.Ed Tibbetts
Column Blurb: Californians are engulfed by wildfires, and Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa is rushing in to take advantage of their misery. Ed Tibbetts at Along the Mississippi says it is shameful.
Link: Zach Nunn’s Bad Behavior
Why Read It? Examine the ethics of Iowa politicians during national crises in this sharp critique.Zachary Oren Smith
Column Blurb: Cornhole Champions, a weekly podcast, is giving you some takeaways from Gov. Kim Reynolds’ legislative priorities.
Link: Kim Reynolds’ Condition of the State
Why Read It? Engage in a lively discussion about Iowa’s legislative priorities through an entertaining podcast format.
Julie Gammack
Column Blurb: Iowa Democratic Party Chair Rita Hart answers Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck readers’ questions in this hour-long podcast.
Link:
Why Read It? Find out the challenges, fixes, and opportunities Rita Hart will see in upcoming elections, including special elections.
Around Iowa
Chuck Offenburger
Column Blurb: Employee layoffs by Landus Cooperative—Iowa's biggest ag co-op—were the talk of the Farm Belt on Friday.
Link: Landus’ Big Move Was Bold and Awkward
Why Read It? Learn how major changes in Iowa’s largest ag co-op impact the local community.Art Cullen
Column Blurb: Fireballs rolling through Los Angeles remind us that not even Iowa is a safe haven from Nature’s revenge.
Link: You Can’t Outrun or Outsmart Nature
Why Read It? Reflect on the environmental and educational challenges facing Iowa today.Jeff Morrison
Column Blurb: Jeff Morrison looks at multiples-of-5-year anniversaries with Iowa connections for 2025.
Link: Iowa Anniversaries for 2025
Why Read It? Discover key anniversaries in Iowa’s history and their contemporary relevance.
Media
Dave Busiek
Column Blurb: The lead isn’t as important as it used to be.
Link: Breaking news: The lead isn’t always king.
Sports
John Naughton
Column Blurb: 2024 was the year of Caitlin Clark, of Iowans in the Olympics, and of the miserable Chicago White Sox.
Link: John’s Best of Substack 2024
Why Read It? Relive the highlights of a landmark year for Iowa sports and athletes.
Music
Dartanyan L. Brown
Column Blurb: This week's post will continue with last week's theme of “Why I Teach,” offering stories of Iowa students hungry to learn.
Link: Why I Teach: Part Two
Why Read It? Explore the inspiring story behind a music educator’s journey and impact on Iowa students.
Poetry
Suzanna de Baca
Topic: A reflective poem titled "My Life is a Guest House."
Why Read: A poetic and heartfelt take on life’s journey and gratitude.
Link: My Life is a Guest House
How do you like this new format for the Sunday Roundup? Is it easier to read?
Coming up in Wednesday’s Flipside Edition
Midweek columnists bring diverse insights, ranging from agriculture and religion to food, arts, and personal growth.
explores the urgent need for sustainable practices focusing on soil conservation and climate challenges, offering critical insights for those invested in Iowa’s agricultural future. Meanwhile, makes his Iowa Collaborative debut as he delves into the influence of evangelicals on Iowa’s politics, providing a thought-provoking analysis of religion’s role in shaping policy. and highlight the richness of Iowa’s culinary history and local gems, making their pieces perfect for food lovers and history enthusiasts alike.Our musicians,
and will be featured in the Flipside edition. They’re hard at work for you.On a more personal and reflective note,
challenges the "New Year, New Me" trope with an inspiring perspective on continuous growth, while shares meditative observations on nature that encourage readers to reconnect with their surroundings.For those seeking creative inspiration,
and Steve Semken provides unique takes on history and art, while captures the heart of country music culture.We’ll be introducing two more columnists next week in the Flipside edition. Stay tuned! You’re going to love them.
How are we doing? Do you like the improvements to the design and new direction?
Share this post