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 Legislature passes budget bill, adjourns with no property tax cut
Lawmakers worked through the night Wednesday to reach a budget deal after a contentious session went into overtime. While most of us were sleeping, the Iowa Legislature adjourned — 13 days late. Legislators had to burn the midnight oil to close out a 123-day session and pass a nearly $9.4 billion budget. Before the session…
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Iowa senator accused Republican leadership of ‘bullying tactics and threats’ over eminent domain vote
A Republican state senator is raising the alarm about his own party leaders retaliating against him after he joined an effort to force a vote on regulating carbon pipeline projects. A Republican state senator is raising the alarm about his own party leaders retaliating against him after he joined an effort to force a vote…
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Miller-Meeks could provide decisive vote on Republican Medicaid cuts
US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks will be a decisive vote in House Republicans’ plan to make massive cuts to Medicaid. Estimates say the cut could leave 8.6 million Americans uninsured by 2034. House Republicans are working on a controversial budget bill that includes sweeping changes to Medicaid, the health insurance program that one in four Americans…
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Rob Sand’s governor campaign raises $2.25 million in first 24 hours
Rob Sand reports recordbreaking fundraising in the first 24 hours of his campaign for governor. Rob Sand entered the Iowa governor’s race Monday with an impressive $8 million war chest. And today, his campaign reports that it saw another $2 million pour in on his first day as a candidate. “For too long, Iowa families…
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Democrat Rob Sand launches 2026 bid for Iowa Governor
Iowa’s lone statewide Democrat has launched his bid for governor. He says state government isn’t working, and it’s time to rotate the crops. Iowa State Auditor Rob Sand formally launched his campaign for governor on Monday, positioning himself as a Democrat who can bridge partisan divides in an increasingly Republican-dominated state. “People love this state.…
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Pete Buttigieg heads to Iowa for May town hall
A progressive veterans group will host Pete Buttigieg for a Cedar Rapids town hall this month to discuss the impact the Trump administration’s policies and DOGE cuts are having on our nation’s veterans. Former US Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg will take the stage in Iowa this month to discuss the impact federal cuts are…
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Inside Miller-Meeks’ million dollar haul: Washington D.C. donors, PAC money
The race for Iowa’s 1st Congressional District is shaping up to be the most competitive in 2026. And US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks’ first quarter fundraising gives her plenty to celebrate, thanks largely to PACs and out-of-state money. Less than 8% came from Iowa donors. US Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks — the victor of not one but…
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Immigrant rights group claims Iowa workers’ civil rights were violated in traffic stop
Escucha Mi Voz Iowa and community members from the Iowa City Catholic Worker filed a complaint with the state, alleging an Iowa State Trooper violated the civil rights of seven Latino construction workers during an April traffic stop. The complaint demands the state clarify its own requirements of law enforcement conducting immigration actions. Seven Latino…
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Trump to restart collection on defaulted student loans, raising concerns for Iowa borrowers
With millions of borrowers at risk and wage garnishments set to begin this summer, women and minority borrowers stand to lose the most as the Trump administration ends five years of student loan collection mercy. Student loan borrowers who have fallen behind on payments face a harsh new reality starting next month as the Trump…
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A look at the Democratic contenders considering a run against US Sen. Joni Ernst
The road to 2026 couldn’t have higher stakes. The Democrats considering a run are among Iowa’s heaviest-hitting (pun intended) members of the Iowa Legislature. Here’s a look at what they’re bringing to the table. As Iowa’s political landscape takes shape ahead of the 2026 election cycle, prominent Democratic legislators have emerged as potential challengers to…
