2018
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Where’s The Outrage Over Iowa’s $4.35 Tipped Minimum Wage?
Why is all the attention focused on raising Iowa’s minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and no discussion on raising the tipped sub-minimum wage of $4.35 per hour? In Iowa, an employee that receives more than $30 per month in tips is considered a “tipped employee” and can be paid at the lower $4.35 minimum…
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Who Stood Up Under Pressure At Democrats’ Debate?
Democratic primary voters finally saw a new side to the six-candidate field for governor in last night’s IPTV debate. Tough questions from the moderators and various attacks from individual candidates (all aimed at Fred Hubbell) put the candidates on their toes and forced them to answer topics they haven’t faced publicly in the race before.…
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Democrats To Train High Schoolers With “Democracy Summer” Program
Guest post via Josh Hughes, school board member and Drake University student. For years, Democrats did little to build the bench of their party by engaging with young people. When we did, the focus was always on college-aged voters. The investments were only made in those who might actually be able to vote for Democrats—not…
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Restore The Public’s Right To Sue Gun Manufacturers
Perhaps it’s time to go after the gun lobby with the tool they fear the most: the courts. Gun manufacturers and gun dealers have special immunity from lawsuits thanks to a National Rifle Association (NRA) sponsored bill they rammed through Congress in 2005. Following the passage of the lawsuit shield law, Protection of Lawful Commerce…
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Ep33: Fred Hubbell Interview & Democratic Enthusiasm
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard speaks with 13th District Iowa State Representative Chris Hall about upcoming elections & Democrats’ predicted ‘blue wave,’ followed by an interview with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell.
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Where The Early Vote Numbers Are Highest For Democrats’ Primary
Early voting began for the June 5 primary last week, but the overall numbers for the Democratic primary aren’t too impressive yet. A big reason for that is due to the later start of the early vote – Republicans reduced that timeframe from 40 days to 29 with their new voting restrictions. And the new…
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Kim Reynolds Gives $25,000 Tax Cut To Millionaires
Under the tax bill signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, millionaires cash in with nearly $25,000 in tax cuts annually while middle class Iowans will receive between $100 to $300. Lower income Iowans will get a whopping $18 per year in cuts. The Iowa Policy Project (IPP), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that focuses on tax and…
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EMILY’s List Endorses Six Women In State Legislative Primaries
Photo: top, left to right: Molly Donahue, Lindsay James, Ann Fields. Bottom, left to right: Lori Egan, Janice Weiner, Mary Stewart. The influential pro-choice organization EMILY’s List is wading in to several state legislative primaries in Iowa. The national group announced this morning that they are endorsing six female candidates in local races: Molly Donahue…
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Don’t Be Afraid Of A Real Debate In Governor’s Race
Guest post from ISU student Cody Woodruff. Like many other viewers of the first Democratic gubernatorial primary debate, I was disappointed with the lack of an actual debate. I may have made my decision of who to support long ago, but I still wanted to see how the candidates would interact with one another under…
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First Democratic Debate A Huge Missed Opportunity
What the fuck was that? The six Democratic candidates vying for their party’s gubernatorial nomination faced off this evening in Davenport for their first “debate.” Well, we were told this would be a debate, anyway. I put that word in quotations because tonight’s gathering was anything but. At the start of the program, which was hosted…
