A guest post from House Leader Mark Smith A few months ago, Governor Terry Branstad and Republicans privatized health care for over 500,000 Iowans on Medicaid. After months of delays, confusion, and scandal, Branstad’s privatization scheme is now officially a...
Terry Branstad’s Mental Health Care Crisis
Guest post from House Democratic Leader Mark Smith Dead last. That’s Iowa’s new ranking in mental health beds available for our citizens. It’s an embarrassing ranking and a critical situation for Iowa families with loved ones suffering from mental illnesses. The...
Who Do Democrats Think Should Run For Governor In 2018?
The Iowa Democratic Party's state convention dragged long into the night yesterday, and there were stretches where voting and the agenda moved very slowly. So what to do? How about start speculating about 2018? Obviously this year's presidential election and...
Branstad Has Time For Tulips, Eggs, None For Teachers On Teacher Appreciation Day
It's Teacher Appreciation Day today, where we thank the committed professionals who get up each day to prepare our state's children for the future. And many of them in Iowa could probably use an extra reminder of how grateful we really are for all their hard work....
With Caucus Over, Big Priorities Ahead For Iowa Democrats
As the final rumblings over the caucus process slowly die out, Democrats have a chance to regroup and refocus on what their priorities moving forward must be. Iowa Democrats are at their weakest point in years after two consecutive midterm blowouts, but there's plenty...
Tom Vilsack Faces Fallout After Backing Branstad’s Education Plan
Many Democrats were rather surprised to see Secretary of Agriculture and former Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack sitting next to Governor Terry Branstad on Tuesday morning. Vilsack was there to give support to Branstad's new proposal to divert funding from schools in...