KHOI's Capitol Week

Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks
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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.

  1. -5 J

    Legislature wraps, property taxes, GOP debate, new polls

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with the marathon finish to the Iowa legislature's 2026 session: the all-nighter at the capitol, culminating in the final agreement on property tax reform. They covered key parts of that bill and divisions among House and Senate Republicans—and among Democratic lawmakers—on the issue. The legislature adjourned without any action on eminent domain, but Republicans passed a bill limiting the governor's powers, new restrictions on abortion medications, a proposed constitutional amendment on taxes, and more funding for pediatric cancer research and water quality investments. News from Congress: the end of a partial federal government shutdown and what did (and didn't) make it into the House-approved Farm Bill. Finally, they discussed the first (and last) televised debate for Republicans running for governor, a GOP-commissioned poll of Iowa's third Congressional district, and a Democratic poll of the second Congressional district.

    30 min

  2. 28 AVR.

    New ads; lawmakers work on budget, taxes, nominees, cancer

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with ad buys and air time reservations in Iowa's U.S. House races, new ads for Republican candidates Adam Steen and Zach Lahn, Steve King endorsing Lahn, how the GOP candidates covered the weekend's four district conventions, and why the district convention delegates could be important. News from Congress: Chuck Grassley recovering from surgery, a planned briefing on Secret Service protocols, Iowans' votes on war powers, Grassley's preference to fill a Supreme Court vacancy (should one arise), and Joni Ernst paying tribute to the fired U.S. Army chief of staff. They ended with news from the legislature: state budget negotiations, property tax reform differences, photos of House pages stuffing campaign mailers for a Republican lawmaker, Senate Democrats taking down two of the governor's nominees, and several bills related to Iowa's high cancer rates.

    30 min

  3. 21 AVR.

    Governor's race news, 1Q fundraising, abortion bill returns

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with news from the Republican primary for governor: Randy Feenstra's latest ad and internal poll; a recycled endorsement; Feenstra and Zach Lahn declining a debate; Adam Steen's comments on debates, school vouchers, and Sharia law; and Steve King's take on the race. They discussed Rob Sand's new ad, canvassing strategy, and plan to legalize cannabis and THC beverages. Other campaign news: Josh Turek's first TV ad, Iowa donations from Eric Swalwell's PAC, first quarter fundraising for U.S. House and Senate candidates, Mariannette Miller-Meeks renting an apartment from Pharma lobbyists, IA-01 independent candidate Michael Bridgford, and Libertarians' plans for this year's races. Finally, they covered renewed efforts to restrict medication abortions and the latest statistics on Iowa abortions in 2025.

    30 min

  4. 14 AVR.

    New poll, candidates spar in governor & Senate races

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent most of the show on news from Iowa's 2026 campaigns: a poll shows Iowa as "competitive terrain," a forecaster calls the governor's race a toss-up, why Rob Sand's banking on educators, Randy Feenstra and Adam Steen spar over school vouchers, former Gov. Terry Branstad's advice for Feenstra, Zach Lahn's debut TV ad, VoteVets spending for Josh Turek, sparks fly between Turek and rival Senate candidate Zach Wahls, pitches from the Republicans running in IA-02, and a major labor group's endorsements. Other topics covered: Chuck Grassley on the fired U.S. Army chief of staff, Ashley Hinson dodges questions about Iran, and how the Iowa Senate's bipartisan property tax reform bill differs from proposals backed by Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa House Republicans.

    30 min

  5. 7 AVR.

    Battleground race updates, green light for school book ban

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with a big GOP investment in Iowa's U.S. Senate race, a look at other battleground races, worrying poll numbers for one Congressional incumbent, and unconventional policies advocated by gubernatorial candidates Rob Sand and Zach Lahn. They also noted the three Iowa Senate races targeted by a Democratic group and reflections on Jesse Jackson's 1988 Iowa caucus campaign. Other topics covered: Iowa members of Congress ignored Trump's Easter Sunday post, the Iowa angle on the ousted U.S. Army chief of staff, Senator Grassley praised former Attorney General Pam Bondi, an appeals court lifted the injunctions on Iowa's school book ban and "don't say gay/trans" laws, top IPERS officials placed on leave, and legislative news related to the state budget and an ethics complaint against a Republican senator.

    30 min

  6. 31 MARS

    Iowa GOP drama, No Kings, 2026 campaign news

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks dug into last week's drama in the Republican primary for governor: Eddie Andrews surviving a challenge to his nominating papers and pointing the finger at rival candidate Adam Steen. Laura explained a state panel's decisions on other candidates facing challenges, and lessons learned from Iowa's 2026 ballot access problems. Other topics covered: the latest round of No Kings protests, Joe Mitchell's unconventional talking points, an outside group spending big for Josh Turek, a new endorsement for Christina Bohannan, another health care story with political resonance, how the Iowans in Congress voted on DHS funding, and Senator Chuck Grassley's take on President Trump celebrating Robert Mueller's death. Finally, they discussed last week's biggest Iowa legislature story: final passage (following a hiccup) of a temporary tax increase on health insurance providers.

    30 min

  7. 24 MARS

    2026 campaign news, health insurance tax, second funnel

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks began with candidates at risk of getting knocked off the primary ballot: Democrat Xavier Carrigan in IA-03, Republican candidate for governor Eddie Andrews, and GOP State Senator Mike Bousselot. They covered the latest taxpayer-funded radio ads from Mariannette Miller-Meeks, other campaign news from the first, second, and third Congressional districts, and recent endorsements in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate and the GOP race for governor. The second half of the show focused on news from the state legislature: a proposed tax on health insurance companies, transparency and public access in the House and Senate, and where things stand after the second funnel on property tax reform, eminent domain, legislation to restrict the next governor's powers, and several "tough on crime" bills.

    30 min

  8. 17 MARS

    Iowa candidate filings; legislative work on health care

    Laura Belin and Spencer Dirks spent half the show reviewing which Republicans and Democrats will be and won't be on the June 2 primary ballot for state and federal offices. Other topics covered: Donald Trump's PAC using a photo from the recent dignified transfer for a fundraising email, health care as an issue in Iowa's third Congressional district, the latest state revenue projections, early findings from state-funded research on Iowa's high cancer rate, and legislative happenings related to health policies, public assistance programs, and abortion.

    30 min
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À propos

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.

Informations

  • Création
    Laura Belin, Spencer Dirks
  • Années d’activité
    2024 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    125
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2024 KHOI FM
  • Site web de l’émission
    KHOI's Capitol Week

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