There’s a lot of crap happening in Iowa politics right now, and the people paying the price aren’t the politicians sitting in Des Moines. They’re the working people trying to pay their bills, put food on the table, and figure out how to get ahead when everything keeps getting more expensive. On the latest episode of The Sage Against The Machine Podcast, I sat down with State Representative Adam Zabner, a Democrat representing Iowa House District 90, alongside Dr. Bob Leonard. We discussed Iowa’s budget deficit, public education, corporate tax breaks, the proposed steel mill, and the growing disconnect between politicians and the people they’re supposed to represent. One thing became clear: Too many decisions coming out of the Capitol seem to benefit corporations and wealthy interests while everyday Iowans are left picking up the tab. Schools are struggling while wealthy interests get tax breaks We started with Iowa’s public schools, which are facing challenges as the state deals with a budget deficit of roughly $1.3 billion. Adam explained why he opposed Iowa’s private school voucher program, arguing that it directs public money toward families who already had children in private schools while public schools face cuts and rural communities deal with consolidation. In small Iowa towns, schools are more than classrooms. They support local jobs, bring families into communities, and help keep towns alive. When a school closes, the consequences go far beyond education. Adam also criticized Iowa’s tax policies, arguing that wealthy taxpayers benefit disproportionately from tax cuts while working families see little relief. He said eliminating the voucher program and legalizing and taxing marijuana could help address the budget shortfall, but properly funding public schools requires a broader discussion about Iowa’s tax system. We also discussed Amendment 1, a proposed constitutional amendment that would require a two-thirds majority in the Legislature to increase corporate or individual income taxes. Adam warned that restricting the state’s ability to raise revenue could make future budget problems worse and put more pressure on working families. The question is simple: Who benefits from these policies, and who gets stuck paying the bill? The steel mill: We need jobs, but taxpayers deserve protection We need manufacturing jobs in Iowa. Communities that have lost factories and good-paying work deserve real economic opportunities. Adam said he supports the proposed southeastern Iowa steel mill but voted against legislation authorizing $1.3 billion in state tax credits because he believes taxpayers need stronger protections. He raised concerns about the company’s progress toward purchasing land and obtaining permits, as well as the possibility that tax credits could be sold to another party. Under the legislation as Adam described it, Iowa could remain obligated to honor those credits even if the project failed to deliver the promised jobs. That’s a hell of a risk for taxpayers already facing a budget shortfall. Adam pointed to manufacturing struggles across Iowa, including the closure of the Case backhoe plant in Burlington and layoffs affecting workers at other companies. These are real people whose livelihoods are on the line. We need investment, but we also need accountability. If a corporation wants more than a billion dollars in public support, Iowans deserve transparency, enforceable protections, and a clear plan for what happens if promises fall apart. A good deal should benefit Iowa, not leave taxpayers holding the bag. Stop fighting culture wars while families struggle One of the biggest themes of our conversation was the disconnect between politicians’ priorities and the problems people actually face. Adam described hearing from people worried about housing costs, rising rent, and paying their bills while lawmakers spend time fighting culture-war battles. We discussed bipartisan housing legislation Adam helped advance that was signed by the Republican governor. We also talked about a free school lunch proposal that, according to Adam, had broad support in the Iowa House but never received a hearing. Dr. Bob made an important point: Calling this an affordability crisis doesn’t fully capture what families are experiencing. When people can’t afford healthcare, children go hungry, and parents struggle with unpaid bills, the consequences affect their health, relationships, and entire households. When politicians dismiss these struggles, they’re dismissing the people they were elected to serve. We need leaders focused on making people’s lives better, not picking political fights while working families fend for themselves. Accountability matters on every level We also discussed reporting by Iowa journalists Laura Belin, Tyler Jett, and Zachary Oren Smith concerning Derek Wulf, the Republican lieutenant governor candidate running alongside Zach Lahn. Their reporting has raised questions about Wulf’s reported debts and financial arrangements. Adam questioned the circumstances surrounding a reported bridge loan and the involvement of an Illinois limited liability company. These are issues voters deserve clear answers about, particularly when financial arrangements could raise questions about potential conflicts of interest. We also discussed the attorney general’s race between Democrat Nate Willems and Republican Brenna Bird. Adam argued that Iowa needs an attorney general who will fight wage theft, protect workers and natural resources, and hold powerful interests accountable. These races matter because elected officials make decisions affecting healthcare, education, workers, and how taxpayer money is spent. Every legislative seat matters, too, especially when it comes to whether bills receive hearings and public spending gets scrutinized. This election is about working people Toward the end of the episode, I talked about a community conversation with Josh Turek and something more politicians need to hear: Stop talking and start listening. Listen to understand, not simply to prepare your next response. Adam described knocking doors and talking with Iowans across the state. Whether in Iowa City, the Des Moines suburbs, or small towns, he said people are concerned about rising costs, housing, and making ends meet. Those conversations matter. Politicians can’t understand people’s lives if they never take the time to hear about them, and representatives shouldn’t wait until election season to show up. As Election Day approaches, we need to look beyond the biggest races and pay attention to the candidates who will make decisions about our schools, taxes, healthcare, and future. Voting is one of the most direct ways to hold elected officials accountable. Close elections can come down to just a handful of votes, so don’t assume yours won’t matter. Iowa’s working families deserve a government that takes their struggles seriously, invests in their future, and protects their tax dollars. They deserve leaders who focus on real problems instead of culture-war distractions and blank checks for corporations. We can’t expect different results if we keep doing the same thing and hope someone else fixes the problem. Show up. Speak out. Vote. Get full access to Sage Against The Machine at sageagainstthemachineia.substack.com/subscribe
