The Iowa Writers Collaborative is read across 42 US states and 44 countries. Since this experiment began in July of 2022, we have amassed 1800 subscribers, adding about 200 since January 1. Thanks to you, our readers, for sharing this column. As a result, we are growing exponentially.
We believe thoughtful, professional commentary is essential in a functioning democracy.
It turns out you do, too.
Vouchers
Vouchers, vouchers, vouchers. The Iowa Legislature is on the verge of passing legislation that will have far-reaching consequences in every corner of the state. Six of our columnists weigh in on the hottest issue in the state. What will happen to Iowa’s existing public schools?
Today, our columnists introduce you to a Civil Rights leader in Waterloo, explosive beets (gotta read it), building community, a Chinook helicopter ride over Red Rock, transitioning a family farm, Iowa’s congressional delegation’s committee assignments, and a possible baseball game in Cuba. We have poetry, a couple of inspirational columns, and a surprise message by an NFL player. Toward the end of the roundup, find a serving of humor from Fern, Joe, and Richard.
Enjoy your Sunday with the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative.
CHERYL TEVIS
We will start today’s roundup with Cheryl Tevis’s column from Pilot Mound. She offers her thoughts on the latest voucher bill based on her experience as a former school board member, a parent, and an educator:
I've been alarmed over the past 13 years to see deliberate efforts by the Iowa legislature to underfund public schools and withhold adequate resources. In her new 501(c)(4)-funded TV commercial, the Governor brags about how the state's public school funding has increased by almost one billion in the past ten years. Yet the annual percentage increases in Supplemental State Aid have averaged a miserly 2% -- well below the rising costs of inflation.
DAVE BUSIEK
Who is behind the barrage of ads???
LAURA BELIN
Our watchdog keeps on top of what’s going on in the legislature as best as anyone can.
ART CULLEN
JULIE GAMMACK
Julie holds regular Zoom sessions on most Mondays for those who subscribe to her column. Previously, she limited participation to those who were paid as a way to thank them for supporting scholarships to the Okoboji Writers’ Retreat. Last Monday, she had Iowa Writers’ Collaborative columnists Laura Belin and Ed Tibbets on the call to talk about the Legislature. Listen to the conversation:
ED TIBBETTS
Veteran political reporter Ed Tibbetts weighs in on the voucher proposal:
BARRY PIATT
Not everyone wrote about the Iowa Legislature this week. Our man in Waterloo celebrates a civil rights icon.
PAT KINNEY
DOUG BURNS
ROBERT LEONARD
KYLE MUNSON
SUZANNA DE BACA
CHUCK OFFENBURGER
Our own Iowa Boy is cooking up quite a project.
MARY SWANDER
Pure delight.
BETH HOFFMAN
KURT MEYER
JOHN NAUGHTON
NIK HEFTMAN
For a dash of roundup humor, don’t miss FERN AND JOE, and SH*T RICHARD SAYS:
Send this to your favorite current and former Iowans. They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness.
Here’s our current roster. If you can become a paid subscriber to any of them, they’ll be grateful.
Iowa Writers’ Collaborative Columnists
Laura Belin: Iowa Politics with Laura Belin, Windsor Heights
Doug Burns: The Iowa Mercury, Carroll
Dave Busiek: Dave Busiek on Media, Des Moines
Art Cullen: Art Cullen’s Notebook, Storm Lake
Suzanna de Baca Dispatches from the Heartland, Huxley
Debra Engle: A Whole New World, Madison County
Julie Gammack: Julie Gammack’s Iowa Potluck, Des Moines and Okoboji
Joe Geha: Fern and Joe, Ames
Jody Gifford: Benign Inspiration, West Des Moines
Beth Hoffman: In the Dirt, Lovilla
Dana James: New Black Iowa, Des Moines
Pat Kinney: View from Cedar Valley, Waterloo
Fern Kupfer: Fern and Joe, Ames
Robert Leonard: Deep Midwest: Politics and Culture, Bussey
Tar Macias: Hola Iowa, Iowa
Kurt Meyer, Showing Up, St. Ansgar
Kyle Munson, Kyle Munson’s Main Street, Des Moines
Jane Nguyen, The Asian Iowan, West Des Moines
John Naughton: My Life, in Color, Des Moines
Chuck Offenburger: Iowa Boy Chuck Offenburger, Jefferson and Des Moines
Barry Piatt: Piatt on Politics: Behind the Curtain, Washington, D.C.
Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Buggy Land, Kalona
Mary Swander: Mary Swander’s Emerging Voices, Kalona
Cheryl Tevis: Unfinished Business, Boone County
Ed Tibbetts: Along the Mississippi, Davenport
Teresa Zilk: Talking Good, Des Moines
To receive a weekly roundup of all Iowa Writers’ Collaborative columnists, sign up here (free): ROUNDUP COLUMN
We are proud to have an alliance with Iowa Capital Dispatch.