KHOI's Capitol Week

By: Laura Belin Dennis Hart
  • Summary

  • Laura Belin, author of the blog Bleeding Heartland, updates you on developments in Iowa government, hosted by KHOI’s newsman Dennis Hart. An in-depth look at each week’s legislative actions, the governor, public agencies, and important events, as lawmakers act on matters that affect you and your family.
    © 2024 KHOI FM
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Episodes
  • All about the trans discrimination bill; Sand & Reynolds spar on auditing voucher funds
    Feb 25 2025

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the biggest news in Iowa politics, starting with an omnibus transgender discrimination bill that is on a fast track: what's in the bill, how it compares to earlier proposals, why Republicans are pushing this now, and what happens next. They also discussed bills moving forward related to abortion, higher education, legal immunity for pesticide manufacturers, and law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Other topics covered: conflict between State Auditor Rob Sand and Governor Kim Reynolds after state agencies blocked auditors from reviewing school voucher expenses, Reynolds' response to her potential primary challenger, Bernie Sanders visiting Iowa City, and Iowa impacts from federal layoffs and funding cuts.

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    30 mins
  • Sherman declares for governor; Iowa challenges anti-discrimination law
    Feb 18 2025

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks start with 2026 election news: who is newly declared candidate Brad Sherman, and what are his chances in a Republican primary against Governor Kim Reynolds? Other topics covered: the candidates running in an Iowa House special election and legislative action related to school funding, other education policies, a pro-Israel resolution, hands-free driving, CO2 pipelines, frivolous lawsuits, and ticket bots. Laura and Spencer also dug into the Texas-based lawsuit the state of Iowa joined, which seeks to declare a longstanding federal anti-discrimination law unconstitutional and unenforceable. Finally, they discussed the recent federal court hearing on Iowa's 2023 law that included a K-12 school book ban and "don't say gay/trans" provisions for grades K-6.

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    30 mins
  • Iowa DOGE, a GOP challenger for Miller-Meeks, and lots of legislative action
    Feb 11 2025

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks discuss the week in Iowa politics, starting with Governor Kim Reynolds creating a new "Iowa DOGE" task force and testifying before the U.S. House Oversight Committee about government reorganization. Other topics covered: Iowa angles on Trump administration policies, cabinet appointees, and NIH grants, an Iowa House special election coming soon, a Republican primary challenger for U.S. Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks, two Iowa politicians joining Trump's lawsuit against the Des Moines Register and its longtime pollster, a casino (probably) coming to Cedar Rapids, and legislative action on bills related to education, CO2 pipelines, immunity for pesticide manufacturers, cancer, and vaccinations.

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    30 mins

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