Iowa Republicans are coming for the public employee retirement system—again. Despite promising to “protect and defend” IPERS in 2018, Gov. Kim Reynolds’s handpicked DOGE task force now wants to eliminate pensions for new state employees.
On this episode of Cornhole Champions, Zachary Oren Smith, Amie Rivers, and Avery Staker break down how wealthy business executives are targeting the 11th best-funded pension system in America.
Toss some bags at Iowa DOGE’s pension grab… Josh Turek’s Senate bid… And how cancer research cuts are shutting down labs across Iowa…
Cornhole Champions is a weekly podcast powered by Iowa Starting Line. This podcast is produced by me and edited by Rebecca Steinberg. Our music is by Avery Mossman and our show art is from Desirée Tapia.
*SHOW RUNDOWN:*
00:00 Cold Open: The Great Donut Debate Gets Heated
04:30 Iowa DOGE Targets Teacher and Police Pensions
06:00 What is IPERS and Why One in Ten Iowans Depend on It
08:30 Average IPERS Payout: Only $15,000 Per Year
10:30 Iowa Has the 11th Best Pension System in America
11:00 Even Iowa Republicans Oppose This Proposal
12:00 Why Public Workers Earn Less Than Private Sector
13:30 How This Could Gut Iowa’s Public Workforce
*LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO CORNHOLE CHAMPIONS:*
– YouTube – https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2LsUFhizO07jdk5Wav4mOT7tArltF8z5&si=FryZd7N7tG5tJ5Ju
– Substack – https://cornholechampions.substack.com/
– Apple Podcasts – https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/cornhole-champions-podcast/id1779497714
– Spotify – https://open.spotify.com/show/5rzNpiA4IwgLmxbyrhETY6?si=6c4a527fa9ad4f64
– PocketCasts – https://pca.st/74atty1j
… and everywhere you listen to podcasts
*FOLLOW ZACHARY OREN SMITH ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
– Twitter – https://x.com/zacharyos
– Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/zacharyosmith
– Bluesky – https://bsky.app/profile/zacharyos.bsky.social
– Threads – https://www.threads.com/@zachosmith
– LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/zacharyos/
*FOLLOW IOWA STARTING LINE ON SOCIAL MEDIA:*
– Twitter – https://twitter.com/iastartingline
– Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IowaStartingLine
– TikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@iowastartingline
– Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/iowastartingline
– YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@UCXN791Qw5opBRLyvTWYl43w
WATCH: Hemp industry facing uncertainty after shutdown deal
The hemp industry faces an uncertain future, thanks to President Trump's shutdown deal. Read more here:...
WATCH: Iowa has a special election on December 30
We've got a special election coming up and the candidates have...very different track records. Election day is on Dec. 30. Find your voting options...
WATCH: ICE almost deported an Indigenous Des Moines woman
ICE almost deported an Indigenous Des Moines woman, and the Polk County Jail that was holding her for them said it was "human error" and "silly."
WATCH: Bohannan launches ethics agenda after Miller-Meeks caught in first class
Candidate for Iowa's 1st Congressional District Christina Bohannan shared her plan to tackle stock trading, corporate political spending, term...
WATCH: Iowa has a special election on December 9
Iowa's House District 7 has a special election coming up...and if you weren't happy with the former Rep. Mike Sexton, Democratic candidate Rachel...
WATCH: Iowa landscaper facing deportation. How you can help.
One of ICE's latest targets in Iowa is Noel Lopez De La Cruz, a 24-year-old landscaper from Mount Pleasant who was brought to Iowa at 2 years old....
