Iowa Down Ballot with Dave Price 4/25/26
Laura Belin (Bleeding Heartland) and Kathie Obradovich (Iowa Capital Dispatch) break down the Legislature's overtime session — budget talks, property tax standoff, and the GOP governor's race.
New post by Adam Shriver: Despite what some Iowa lawmakers have suggested, studies have already shown an Iowa DNR program is not an adequate substitute for continuous water monitoring.
#Iowa #environment #ialegis #water https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/24/these-two-water-monitoring-programs-are-not-the-same/
These two water monitoring programs are not the same
Adam Shriver: Studies have already shown an Iowa DNR program is not an adequate substitute for continuous water monitoring.
Ralph Rosenberg: The Iowa House handed NextEra Energy a sales tax exemption worth tens of millions of dollars to restart the Duane Arnold Energy Center near Palo.
I’ve learned that powerful interests dress up a corporate subsidy in the language of clean energy and national security. As a longtime skeptic about nuclear power’s promises, I can tell this bill is bad policy dressed up in shiny clothes.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/22/iowas-nuclear-tax-giveaway-weve-seen-this-movie-before-and-know-how-it-ends/
Iowa's nuclear tax giveaway: We've seen this movie before and know how it ends
Ralph Rosenberg: The Iowa House handed NextEra Energy a corporate subsidy, dressed up in the language of clean energy and national security.
After Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress, I reached out to Democratic campaigns in Iowa that had received donations from his Remedy PAC.
Reported what I learned on the latest "KHOI's Capitol Week."
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/governors-race-news-1q-fundraising
Governor's race news, 1Q fundraising, abortion bill returns
April 20 edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week"
It's late but I just posted my written recap of Monday night's "KHOI's Capitol Week."
We spent most of the 30 minutes on 2026 campaign news, and covered one story from the state legislature (the return of a medication abortion bill).
#IAGov #IASen #IA01 #IA02 #IA03 #IA04
https://laurabelin.substack.com/p/governors-race-news-1q-fundraising
Governor's race news, 1Q fundraising, abortion bill returns
April 20 edition of "KHOI's Capitol Week"
On last night's Iowa politics radio show/podcast, I covered the return of a House bill that would restrict abortion medications, and the roadblocks ahead.
(Look for "KHOI's Capitol Week" to listen to the whole show, which was mostly about 2026 campaigns.)
You can listen to tonight's Iowa politics radio show now on any podcast platform: "KHOI's Capitol Week"
Tomorrow I'll send the audio file & a detailed written recap to subscribers of my free email newsletter: "Iowa politics with Laura Belin"
Lots of news on the
#IAGov race.
https://laurabelin.substack.com
Iowa politics with Laura Belin | Substack
Where you get in-depth coverage and exclusive reporting about Iowa politics. Click to read Iowa politics with Laura Belin, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
Conversion therapy isn't a "cure." It’s torture
Gordie Felger: No one should be forced into conversion therapy. Those considering the harmful practice should weigh the consequences.
Who's up early?
After Alex Isenstadt reported that JD Vance plans to come to Iowa to campaign with Zach Nunn, I decided it was time for a deep dive on
#IA03.
I'm bullish on this race. This post explains why & also covers some factors that favor Nunn.
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/19/zach-nunn-is-in-trouble-and-jd-vance-cant-help-him/
Zach Nunn is in trouble—and JD Vance can't help him
Laura Belin explains why she's bullish on Sarah Trone Garriott's chances to unseat Zach Nunn, the Republican incumbent in IA-03.
New post: The Iowa Supreme Court ruled against the State Auditor's office, finding the city of Davenport doesn't have to turn over closed-session discussions about $1.9 million in taxpayer-funded settlements.
Clark Kauffman covered the story:
https://www.bleedingheartland.com/2026/04/18/state-auditor-loses-battle-over-access-to-city-of-davenport-tapes/
State auditor loses battle over access to City of Davenport tapes
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled against State Auditor Rob Sand, who sought communications about $1.9 million in taxpayer-funded settlements.
