Your friendly neighborhood reporter. 🌽Iowa politics @iowastartingline 🎙️Cohost of @dingusoftheweek 📬Join Paper Route, my newsletter
Iowa, USA
Joined August 2012
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Zachary Oren Smith retweeted
The alleged "unhinged meltdown" was #IA03's Zach Nunn.
As a veteran, and more importantly as the representative of a veteran-heavy district, I will never vote to cut veterans’ benefits, nor will I vote to prevent current service members from filing claims in the future.
Today, I found myself at the center of an unhinged meltdown and was told to “stop talking” simply for pointing out how wrong it is to cut veterans’ benefits.
Other Republicans, along with many major veterans organizations — including @DAVHQ and @VFWHQ — are also strongly opposed to this bill for the same reason.
The good news is that this veterans’ bill can and will be cleaned up and brought back for another vote. So yes — I broke with party leadership on this to protect veterans’ benefits. Some of my colleagues disagree with me, and that’s okay.
Will a stronger version of this bill come back to the floor? Absolutely. That’s part of the process.
Was gonna dunk on @IA2Joe’s AI art for shrinking the state. But if “Building Cedar Rapids’ Future” means 16% pricier homes, young Iowans fleeing, and health insurance premiums tripling for families… the AI kinda nailed the metaphor.
Zachary Oren Smith retweeted
On my weekly radio show I try to flag good Iowa politics reporting that hasn't gotten enough attention.
This week we spotlighted a story by @ZacharyOS about the GOP nominee for #IASen, Ashley Hinson.
Zachary Oren Smith retweeted
The Lahn campaign disputes this, telling me today, "Wulf has never stated that he supported this legislation" and "Derek Wulf does not support Senate File 2412."
An ag lobby group founded by Bayer publicly thanked him in 2024 for "advocating for this crucial legislation."
Zachary Oren Smith retweeted
Just got a call from @josiealbrecht of the @IowaGOP. The @ZachLahn campaign had put me on the media list to cover tomorrow's state convention, but Josie told me, "That's not going to happen," and "you know the reason."
So I'll be covering the @iowademocrats speeches tomorrow.
Zachary Oren Smith retweeted
NEW: Our visual analysis suggests the United States hit two drinking-water facilities overnight in southern Iran with precision-guided munitions. Deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime. w/ @ckoettl @johnismay @ArtemisChats
Zachary Oren Smith retweeted
.@IowaGOP is challenging 3 @LPIowa candidates to keep them off the November ballot in what are expected to be tight races for governor and Congress. The merit of those challenges will be decided June 15. desmoinesregister.com/story/… via @sgrubermiller
Still waiting to hear back from the UI on my questions and records request. BUT they did send over an internal talking point memo that offers additional insight.
UI WRAC DISOLVED - I obtained an internal University of Iowa email announcing the dissolution of the Women's Resource and Action Center (WRAC) as a standalone unit, dispersing its programs and staff across other departments. Read the full email: (1/4)
On why this is happening now, UI’s memo states: “When leadership positions are vacated, it is standard practice to review portfolios and make adjustments.”
That’s the university confirming the pattern my source described. (7/8)
SEN GARRETT PASSES - State Sen. Julian Garrett has died. Earlier this year, he announced a cancer diagnosis. Garrett covered an area that included Indianola and Knoxville. wcfcourier.com/news/state-re…
