2018
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Uncommitted, Boulton Lead Initial County Convention Results
Iowa Democrats are holding their county conventions across the state today, the second part in the caucus-to-convention process that could determine the party’s gubernatorial nominee. Were none of the six Democrats to reach 35% in the June 5 primary, the delegates at the state convention would instead choose a winner. The people to fill those…
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Axne Knocks Greenfield’s Candidacy Ahead Of Ballot Vote
Problems with candidate petitions and signatures is nothing new in Iowa politics, but the recent spate of problems have certainly surpassed past screw-ups. Both 3rd District Democrat Theresa Greenfield and Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron Corbett won’t know until next week whether their candidacies might continue after initial problems with signature collections. And now another 3rd…
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Senate GOP Seeks To Increase Majority With Female Candidates
Many political pundits are predicting that 2018 will be the “Year of the Woman” in the November election. A record number of women are on the ballot in Iowa for federal and state offices this year – 98 as of last week. And while most are Democrats, not all are. Iowa Senate Republicans have six female…
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Iowans Having To Sue For Basic Care; Mathis Proposes Medicaid Fix
After Senator Charles Schneider was sworn in as Senate President on March 15, Senator Liz Mathis took to the floor for a point of personal privilege. You can view her comments here at 9:15.10. It’s about five minutes. “Why should a man on Medicaid have to go to court to receive bowel care?” she asked.…
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Will Automation Technology Bring About Universal Basic Income?
The rate of technological advance in automation is likely to cause businesses to jettison huge numbers of jobs in the near future. Robots are getting programmed to flip burgers, drive cars and trucks and act as self-serve cashiers. The McKinsey Global Institute predicts that as many as one-third of U.S. workers could be displaced by…
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Ep20: The ACA’s Birthday & J.D. Scholten Interview
Iowa Starting Line Podcast host Pat Rynard discusses the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act & what it has meant to small businesses & their employees with Raygun founder Mike Draper & Popcorn Heaven founder Reshonda Young, followed by an interview with Iowa District 4 Democratic Primary candidate J.D. Scholten.
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Public Service Not Always About Winning – Thoughts On Wally Horn’s Career
There was noteworthy news coming out of the Iowa Legislature last week. This may surprise you, but I am not referring to the headlines about Bill Dix, the Iowa Senate’s majority leader, although that news certainly created a buzz from border to border. The Shell Rock Republican resigned a few hours after photos and video…
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Iowa Consumers Pick Up The Tab For Gift To Iowa Utilities
Yuletide greetings to all. What, you ask? Christmas is long since over! Not for Iowa’s investor owned utilities. They are getting an armful of belated holiday gifts from the Iowa General Assembly, and if you pay a gas or power bill, you will eventually be picking up a big tab. The Commerce Committee, on which I…
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Ross Wilburn: An Exceptional Candidate In A Crowded Field
Guest post from Matt Chapman Caucus night in Dallas County was windy and the snow felt like being hit by a sandblaster. Almost six inches fell on Super Bowl Sunday the night before, but Democrats in Waukee still showed up for the caucus and we did our party business. The next day was a vote…
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Waxman: Congress Needs Environmental Leaders Like Heckroth
Guest post from former California Congressman Henry Waxman As a long-time member of the U.S. Congress and as Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, protecting the environment for current and future generations was one of my top priorities. Throughout the 1980s, I defended the Clean Air Act against attacks by President Reagan, and…
