Zachary Oren Smith is your friendly neighborhood reporter. He leads Starting Line’s political coverage where he investigates corruption, housing affordability and the future of work. For nearly a decade, he’s written award-winning stories for Iowa Public Radio, The Des Moines Register and Iowa City Press-Citizen. Send your tips on hard news and good food to zach@iowastartingline.com.
Zachary Oren Smith
Latest from Zachary Oren Smith
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Iowa congressional races see Democratic fields narrow
State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst exited the Democratic primary for Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District, while Democrat Taylor Wettach pivoted to a bid for state auditor. Iowa’s two most competitive congressional races saw significant shifts this week as Democratic candidates dropped out, setting up clearer general election matchups against two embattled Republican incumbents. State Rep. Jennifer Konfrst…
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A private equity firm bought this Iowa mobile home park. Now, residents say it’s sinking into the ground.
A Utah-based private equity firm is slowly selling off its Iowa mobile home parks after years of resident complaints. In one Iowa City park that Havenpark Communities still owns, residents report ongoing issues with water contamination and soil erosion beneath homes. Pamela Rodriguez paid more than $1,000 to level the ground underneath her mobile home…
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Iowa Dems release plan for paid family leave, $15 minimum wage
Iowa House Democrats economic plan hits on a host of issues they say will help working families survive Iowa’s worst in the nation economy. Iowa House Democrats unveiled a sweeping agenda Wednesday that would dramatically reshape the state’s approach to worker pay, healthcare affordability, and family support. House Minority Brian Meyer positioned it as an…
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How Iowa could actually lower your property taxes—and what it would cost
Iowa lawmakers are racing to cut property taxes. One proposal would take funding powers away from your local school board. Iowa lawmakers say they want to cut your property taxes. That part’s easy to promise. The hard part is deciding how to do it and what services they’re willing to give up. Right now, Iowa…
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Iowa Republicans back Trump as Maduro abduction risks war and regional instability
Iowa politicians are sharply divided after the Trump administration used military force over the weekend to bomb Venezuela and abduct Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, flying them to the US to face narcoterrorism charges. Statements from Iowa’s Republican congressional delegation were unified in support of Maduro’s capture. They focused on Maduro’s alleged role…
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Miller-Meeks campaign says payment was ‘mistakenly’ made to son
A $3,500 payment from US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ campaign to her son was a mistake, her campaign says—money that should have come from her personal account, not from campaign donors. US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks paid her son $3,500 from her campaign account for “consulting,” according to the most recent quarter’s campaign finance report. Twenty-two days…
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How can policymakers help reduce Iowa’s cancer rates?
To help reduce Iowa’s cancer rates, the government will need to take action. We’ve got some ideas on where to start.
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Why Rob Sand is singing ‘America, the Beautiful’ at rallies
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Rob Sand has been starting his campaign stops across Iowa with an unusual ritual: leading crowds in singing “America the Beautiful.” Sand, the current state auditor, has held town halls in venues ranging from churches to breweries, where he encourages attendees from different political parties to acknowledge each other before joining together…
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Democrats take stand on healthcare as government shutdown looms
Democrats are threatening to shut down the government unless Republicans restore health insurance subsidies that would otherwise cause Iowa ACA enrollees to pay an extra $1,080 per year for coverage. With just days left before the federal government could shut down, Democrats are insisting they won’t vote for any spending bill that doesn’t protect health…
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Nunn v. Konfrst: Poll shows dead heat in Iowa’s 3rd Congressional District
Update: Following publication, Iowa Staring Line received screenshots of Public Policy Polling’s survey. The firm surveyed respondents on the favorability of both Democrats Jennifer Konfrst and Sarah Trone Garriott, how they would fare in a primary with one another, and how they would fare as the Democratic nominee in a general election against incumbent US…
