Deciding Iowa

Another legislative session is over.Another season of Deciding Iowa comes to a close.This year we talked about:💧 Water quality🏥 Healthcare and Medicaid📚 Public education💰 Taxes and state budgets🌾 Landowner rights🏛️ Government accountability…and the long-term future of Iowa.No matter where you fall politically, one thing matters most:Be an educated voter.Pay attention.Ask questions.Read beyond headlines.Watch what is funded, what is cut, and what priorities move forward.Understand how decisions made at the Capitol impact your family, your schools, your healthcare, your taxes, your community, and your future.Democracy works best when people stay informed and engaged — not just during election season, but all year long.Thank you to everyone who watched, shared, challenged ideas, asked thoughtful questions, and cared enough to stay involved.Iowa’s future will not be decided by silence or apathy.It will be shaped by informed people willing to participate.🗳️ Vote.📖 Stay informed.🤝 Stay engaged.Be well, Iowa.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #IowaLegislature #BeAnEducatedVoter #CivicEngagement #Iowa

Property taxes.School funding.Local services.State deficits.Corporate taxes.Rent.Healthcare.This episode of Deciding Iowa tackles one of the biggest — and most personal — issues of the 2026 legislative session.Lawmakers say the new property tax package will provide relief for Iowans.But where does that money come from?And what could the long-term impacts be for schools, cities, counties, infrastructure, renters, and the future state budget?In Episode 31, we break down:➡️ What actually passed➡️ Why both parties supported parts of it➡️ What concerns remain➡️ And why this issue is far more complicated than a campaign sloganWhether you support the bill, oppose it, or are still trying to understand it, this conversation matters because these decisions affect every Iowa community.🎥 Watch Episode 31 now: Property TaxAs always, we encourage you to stay informed, ask questions, and engage with your elected officials.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #PropertyTaxes #IowaLegislature #IowaPolicy

We’re back. And Iowa’s legislature left us with a lot to talk about.🎓 Expanded charter school funding🏠 Concerns about homeschool oversight🌽 No movement on eminent domain reform🎗️ Pediatric cancer research funding approved☢️ New radon mitigation requirements for homesIn Episode 30 of Deciding Iowa, Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek and Dr. Emily Boevers break down the wins, the worries, and the policies shaping Iowa’s future.No shouting. No spin. Just real conversation about what happened under the Golden Dome.🎥 Watch “We’re Back: Quick Hits” and decide for yourself.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #IowaLegislature #IowaPolicy

A lot just moved at the Iowa Capitol… but what does it actually mean?In today’s Deciding Iowa, we break down a few key bills that just passed: ➡️ More time for legislative planning (60 days vs. 45) ➡️ Counties restricted from issuing ID cards ➡️ New 5-year rule reviews for state agencies ➡️ Faster infrastructure upgrades for water & utilitiesSome aim for efficiency.Some raise real questions.All have impact.This is just a snapshot of what’s happening right now under the golden dome.🎥 Watch the latest episode and decide for yourself.Because policy isn’t just process… it shapes how Iowa works...for all of us.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolicy #StayInformed #CivicEngagement

When access gets tighter…voices matter more.In Episode 28 of Deciding Iowa, we take a closer look at House File 2563, a bill that could:➡️ Restrict telehealth access for early pregnancy care➡️ Create additional barriers for rural and working Iowans➡️ Shift how healthcare is accessed across the stateThis is a personal healthcare right between a patient and her doctor, and one that deserves attention. Limiting options in our amazing rural areas should not be the Iowa way.📞 Now is the time to reach out to your legislator and make your voice heard: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find🎥 Watch Repro Restrictions👉 Get informed. Stay engaged. Decide for yourself.#IowaPolitics #DecidingIowa #YourVoiceMatters

Healthcare in Iowa right now?Some steps forward…and some real gaps.In Episode 27 of Deciding Iowa, we break down what’s happening at the Statehouse:⬆️ The highs:✔️ A bill allowing pregnant minors to consent to their own labor and delivery care✔️ Reforms to insurance authorizations to speed up care and reduce unnecessary denials⬇️ The lows:❗ A bill allowing providers to refuse care based on conscience❗ No real progress on water quality❗ Ongoing healthcare workforce shortages❗ Little action to improve affordability or keep rural clinics openBecause healthcare isn’t abstract.It’s access, cost, and care, right here in our communities.🎥 Watch Episode 27: Healthcare Highs and Lows👉 Then decide for yourself.💬 What are you seeing when it comes to healthcare in Iowa right now?👍 Follow, share, and help more Iowans stay informed📲 Also available on YouTube and podcast platforms#DecidingIowa #IowaHealthcare #IowaPolicy #RuralHealth #StayInformed

We’re not saying it’s Skynet……but we are saying AI making calls on local budgets should raise some eyebrows. 🤖Episode 26 breaks down: ➡️ A $1M+/year AI tool to analyze local spending ➡️ The risk of decisions being reduced to numbers ➡️ And what happens when context gets left outAlso: 👏 A real bipartisan win on child care assistanceSo yes—progress and questions… in the same episode.🎥 Watch “Skynet” 👉 Decide for yourself.Because not everything that counts… can be counted.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #AI #Leadership

When the levee breaks… you don’t ignore the cracks.In Episode 25 of Deciding Iowa, we break down a state budget that:➡️ Spends ~$9.6 billion➡️ Brings in closer to ~$8.5 billion➡️ And keeps us on track for a third straight year of ~$1 billion deficits🎸 “If it keeps on rainin’, levee’s goin’ to break…” from When the Levee BreaksThat’s not just a lyric, it’s a warning.Leaders are calling this budget “responsible” and “sustainable”……but it relies on surplus funds that won’t last.At some point, the math catches up.At some point, the pressure builds.At some point… the levee breaks.🎥 Watch Episode 25: When the Levee Breaks👉 Then decide for yourself.Because budgets aren’t just numbers…they’re choices about the future of Iowa.#IowaPolitics #IowaPolicy #DecidingIowa #BudgetsMatter

🧟‍♂️ Zombieland at the Capitol?Some bills may be “dead”…but in Iowa, they don’t always stay that way.In Episode 24 of Deciding Iowa, we break down how library-related legislation, stopped earlier in the session, has resurfaced through an amendment that has nothing to do with the original bill.➡️ Requires book-by-book review of materials before minors can access them➡️ Shifts control away from local library boards➡️ Removes professional standards and accreditation➡️ Adds major responsibilities… with no fundingAll introduced late in the game, limiting debate and public input.It’s complicated. It’s fast-moving. And it matters.We’re here to help make sense of it.🎥 Watch “Zombieland” and decide for yourself.📌 Follow along as we track what happens next.#Zombieland #DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #PublicPolicy #LeavePublicLibrariesAlone #PublicLibrariesRock 

We might be a little upside down…but the issues aren’t.In Episode 23 of Deciding Iowa, we break down a bill that:➡️ Went from introduction to law in just 12 days➡️ Raises taxes on HMOs➡️ Could increase health insurance costs for IowansAt one point, we realized our background was literally upside down… and honestly, it felt a little symbolic. 😅Are we low budget? Yes.Do we care deeply and do our homework? Also yes.We’re here volunteering our time to make sense of fast-moving decisions that impact real people. Thanks for watching and listening.🎥 Watch “HMO Conundrum” and decide for yourself.

After the 2nd funnel, we talked about what’s still alive…Now it’s time for what didn’t make it.And remember, nothing truly dies at the Capitol. It can always come back in another form. Nothing truly ever dies.In Episode 22, we break down:👍 Bills we wish were still moving forward• Transparency for data center energy + water use• Local solar investment options for Iowans• Stronger oversight of puppy mills…and😮‍💨 Bills that stalled (and we’re not losing sleep over)• Rolling back school immunization requirements• Expanded restrictions on classroom content• Limits involving libraries and schools• New liabilities for universities tied to student loansThe funnel narrows the field…but it also reveals priorities.Take a few minutes and stay informed ⬇️#DecidingIowa #IowaPolicy

After the 2nd legislative funnel, some bills are gone…and some are very much still alive.🎶 Yes… we went there.In Episode 21 Quick Hits, we break it down:✔️ Investments in pediatric cancer research✔️ Mental health care access✔️ Radon mitigation in new homes…and⚠️ Bills impacting vaccines, higher ed, and executive authorityThe list of what made it through tells a story and what’s still moving forward will shape what comes next.👍 The good🤔 The concerning👀 The ones to keep watchingTake a few minutes and stay informed ⬇️#DecidingIowa #IowaPolicy

🚢 “Full speed ahead and damn the torpedoes.”That might be the best way to describe where Iowa property tax reform is headed right now.The House has its plan.The Senate has a different one.The Governor has another.And the impact? Still unclear.💬 Lower taxes or fewer local resources?💬 Simpler system or more confusion?🎥 Watch Episode 20 of Deciding Iowa for a quick breakdown then tell us what matters most to you.

Monopoly: Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200Property tax reform sounds simple… until you follow the money.In Episode 19 of Deciding Iowa, we break down what’s actually in Senate Study Bill 3001 and why it may not be the “relief” it’s being framed as.👉 Lower property taxes…but higher costs somewhere else👉 Relief for some…potential burden for others👉 Less local control…more reliance on a shrinking state budgetThe big question: Who really pays in the end?Take a few minutes to understand what’s on the table—and what it could mean for Iowa’s communities, schools, and future.🎥 Watch now and decide for yourself.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #PropertyTaxes #FollowTheMoney

🎥 New Episode: Make Iowa Healthy AgainWhat’s happening with Iowa’s health policy right now?In this episode of Deciding Iowa we talk about:• A pesticide linked to Parkinson’s disease• A bill that tried to address it but never moved forward• Iowa’s ongoing Medicaid funding challengesThe big question: Are we doing enough to keep Iowans healthy?Watch the latest episode and decide for yourself.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #PublicHealth

💰 Deciding Iowa – Episode 17 - Follow the MoneyYou’ve probably heard Iowa has a budget surplus.But where did it come from… and what happens when it runs out?In this episode, we break down the numbers behind Iowa’s surplus, tax cuts, and what they could mean for schools, Medicaid, and the future of our state.The math matters.🎥 Watch and decide for yourself.#DecidingIowa #IowaPolitics #FollowTheMoney

🎙️ New Episode: The Party of Lincoln?A bill about taxpayer-funded religious materials. A bill limiting local civil rights commissions. A bill that could hurt local newspapers.And yes… Franklin and Jefferson make an appearance.Take a few minutes and watch the latest Deciding Iowa.

This week’s Deciding Iowa episode covers several issues moving through the Iowa Legislature that deserve thoughtful attention.One piece of legislation addressing human trafficking passed the Iowa House unanimously 89–0. Human trafficking remains a serious problem in Iowa, and stronger coordination and response is long overdue. Protecting vulnerable people, especially youth, must remain a priority.We also discuss legislation that has raised concerns among many medical and mental health professionals regarding conversion therapy, a practice widely rejected by major medical organizations because of its documented harm.Finally, we highlight a bipartisan bill addressing National Guard deployment authority, along with a moment of reflection for the U.S. soldiers who have recently lost their lives in the growing conflict involving Iran.These are complex issues, but they matter deeply for our state and our communities.🎧 Watch the latest episode of Deciding Iowa and stay informed.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #CivicEngagement #StayInformed

2,901 bills filed.Nearly 30% more than last year.With rising cancer rates, water concerns, underfunded schools, workforce shortages, and property tax questions…Are we tackling Iowa’s biggest challenges or targeting bookmobiles? (Yes, bookmobiles.) In this week’s Deciding Iowa, we break down what survived funnel week and what that says about our legislative priorities.Watch. Listen. Stay engaged.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #FunnelWeek #IowaPolitics #CivicEngagement

💧 Who pooped in the park?Yes… we actually talk about that.But underneath the humor is a serious issue: 58% of Iowans say water quality is a very serious problem. 72% say rising cancer rates are.So what has the legislature actually done about it?In Episode 13 of Deciding Iowa, we break down the four water bills that survived funnel week,  the good, the questionable, and the “number two, no-brainer.”Because water isn’t a punchline. It’s our most vital resource.🎧 Watch. Listen. Stay informed.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #WaterQuality #IowaPolitics #CivicEngagement

Season 2 - Episode 12 - Governor LimitationsFunnel week = fewer bills…but bigger questions.What’s moving forward could reshape how Iowa is governed...from emergency powers to budget decisions.🎧 Catch the latest Deciding Iowa episode.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #IowaNews #FunnelWeek #PublicPolicy #CivicEngagement #StayInformed

🚨 New Episode of Deciding Iowa 🚨Annexing Illinois counties? Building an NFL stadium for the Chicago Bears? Rewriting higher education in Iowa?Some bills feel like distractions. Others could reshape our state’s future.This week, we break down what’s serious, what’s political theater, and why Iowa’s higher education system is more interconnected than it seems.Because the real question isn’t just can we do these things, it’s should we?🎥 Watch. 🎧 Listen. 💬 Stay informed.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #IowaPolitics #HigherEd #IowaFuture

 Deciding Iowa – Quick Hits Episode Reducing vaccines in schools.Reducing homeschool oversight and grading.Allowing more guns on school grounds.These aren’t hypothetical debates, they’re real bills moving through the Iowa Legislature right now.As a physician and a scientist, we’re asking: Are these policies grounded in public health, safety, and evidence or politics?Iowa families deserve thoughtful, fact-based decisions when it comes to our kids’ education and safety.Watch the full episode. Stay informed. Stay engaged.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #PublicHealth #IowaSchools

🐄 Deciding Iowa – Season 2, Episode 9Water should not be controversial.In this episode, we break down House Study Bill 657 a bill that would make it harder for Iowa to designate polluted waterways as “impaired.”What does that mean?• More hoops for the DNR • Expensive, unrealistic requirements • Slower cleanup timelines • Fewer waterways officially listed • Not necessarily cleaner waterWe can test whether contamination comes from humans or cows 🐄  but we can’t measure exact percentages the way this bill demands.So what happens? The designation process slows. Budgets strain. Cleanup gets delayed.Iowans deserve clean water and real solutions not roadblocks.🎥 Watch Deciding Iowa and stay informed. Because the next generation is counting on the decisions we make today.#DecidingIowa #WaterQuality #IowaLegislature #CleanWater #IowaPolitics

After 50+ years of recognizing marriage and the people in it as equal partners under the law, why are we reopening this door?Senate File 2172 would allow couples to waive no-fault divorce at the time they apply for a marriage license. On paper it sounds like “choice.” In practice, it could make leaving a dysfunctional or unsafe marriage harder, costlier, and more dangerous.Supporting families should never mean trapping people inside them.Watch this week’s Deciding Iowa episode for the full discussion.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #KnowTheBills

If you care about Iowa schools, this episode is worth your time.From classroom learning to school funding, Deciding Iowa takes a closer look at decisions already underway and what’s quietly (or not so quietly) changing in our schools.Watch Season 2, Episode 7 and decide for yourself what deserves more attention.🎥👇#DecidingIowa #IowaEducation #StayInformed

🚨 Deciding Iowa Priorities: Lightning Round 🚨💧 Shawn’s top legislative priority? Water.Because without clean, safe water, we don’t have anything. Our health, our land, and our future depend on how we protect it.This is the first in our Deciding Iowa Priorities short-form video series—quick insights between full episodes on what matters most now and for Iowa's future.🎥 Watch this clip 📺 Episode 7 drops later this week 👀 More Deciding Iowa priorities coming soonFollow along and stay engaged. Informed Iowans make stronger decisions.#DecidingIowa #IowaPriorities #CleanWater #IowaLegislature #PublicHealth #StayEngaged

Iowa lawmakers say one of their top priorities is keeping Iowa “safe.” But what does that actually mean and at what cost?In Episode 6 of Deciding Iowa, Shawn and Emily take a closer look at the proposed three-strikes sentencing bill, including:• What three-strikes laws were designed to do• What history tells us about their real impact• Iowa’s already-low violent crime rate• Overcrowded prisons, budget gaps, and unintended consequencesWith Iowa ranking among the safest states in the country, this conversation asks an important question: Are we solving real problems or reviving 1990s policies that don’t fit today’s data or realities?This is a calm, fact-based discussion about safety, justice, and smart use of public resources worth a watch if you care about where Iowa is headed. Watch Episode 6 and decide for yourself.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #PublicSafety #CriminalJustice #IowaPolitics #PolicyOverPolitics #InformedIowans

This matters, Iowa.The Iowa House and Senate are playing procedural games with eminent domain and the carbon pipeline and landowners are caught in the middle.What just happened today with House File 2041 should raise serious questions about transparency, due process, and whose voices are being heard.Watch this update from Deciding Iowa to understand what’s unfolding and why paying attention right now matters. #DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #EminentDomain #PropertyRights #PublicInputMatters #TransparencyMatters #IowaPolitics

UPDATE: The subcommittee meeting has been canceled. Stay tuned for updates yet keep up the pressure!______________We want to take a moment to reflect on what’s happening to our neighbors in Minnesota. This moment calls for honest reflection and sincere grief for the lives lost and the communities affected.It is not acceptable for any federal agent or law enforcement officer to act outside of constitutional rights, due process, and transparent accountability. Our democratic process and civil liberties depend on these foundations being upheld for all people, regardless of citizenship status.THIS WEDNESDAY, a bill is being discussed in committee, sponsored by Representative Vondran, Representative Gjerde, and Representative Holt (HF 2041) proposes changes to Iowa law requiring all state and local law enforcement agencies and officers to cooperate and work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal immigration-related agencies when asked.Details can be found at: https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislation/BillBook?ga=91&ba=HF%202041Please email your input to: [email protected]://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=91... [email protected]://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator?ga=91... [email protected]://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/legislator...Let’s keep showing up. Let’s keep demanding justice, accountability, and truth.#DecidingIowa #Justice

This week, Shawn and Emily dig into what’s really surfacing at the Statehouse: Bills impacting public education Free speech & litigation concerns Cancer research funding (some good news!) Health, privacy, and protections for kids Reproductive freedom & public health prioritiesNot all bills are created equal and some raise serious questions about where Iowa is headed. Watch, listen, and stay engaged.Because Iowa’s future depends on informed, involved people.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #PublicEducation #PublicHealth #StayEngaged

This week on Deciding Iowa, Shawn and Emily dig into what’s happening at the Iowa Legislature and what’s not being talked about.They cover: The Governor’s Condition of the State address and the issues missing from the conversation The growing cost of Iowa’s school voucher program and why accountability matters Proposed changes that could eliminate elections for key county offices A resolution that raises serious concerns about judicial review and checks and balancesThese aren’t abstract policy debates. They affect communities, local control, and how democracy works in Iowa. Watch the episode and stay engaged.Because Iowa’s future doesn’t start with opinions, it starts with paying attention.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #IowaPolitics #CivicEngagement #StayInformed #IowaFuture

The Iowa Legislature is back in session and so are we.This week, we’re recording the first Deciding Iowa episode of 2026. Watch for details next weekend as we break down what the Iowa House and Senate are already discussing and what we’re keeping an eye on as the session gets underway.Because Iowa’s future is built through participation - reading, listening, learning, and staying actively connected with our elected representatives.Stay tuned.#DecidingIowa #IowaLegislature #CivicInvolvement #IowaPolitics #EngagedCitizens See less

Part 6 — The Cost of Clean Water: Prevention, Accountability, and HealthIn the final episode of our six-part water series, Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek (cancer scientist, biochemist, professor, and Iowa House District 57 candidate) and Dr. Emily Boevers (OB-GYN, mother of three, and health advocate) step back to connect the dots: we can either pay to keep pollutants out of our water—or pay far more to remove them later. They unpack who bears those costs (taxpayers vs. polluters), why low fines fail as deterrents, how permit decisions ripple through communities, and what it means for everyday Iowans’ health, recreation, and local economies.Highlights:Prevent vs. clean-up: the real price of nitrate and PFAS contaminationWeak enforcement: why fines don’t change billion-dollar behaviorPermits, monitoring, and “workarounds” that expand risk across watershedsCancer concerns: correlation, not causation—but enough to demand action nowPractical steps: well testing, understanding municipal limits, and when RO systems make senseShawn and Emily close with a call for shared responsibility: whatever our politics, we all drink the same water. Catch Parts 1–5 for expert perspectives from Dr. Helmers, Rep. Chuck Isenhart, and Wally Taylor—and stay tuned as Deciding Iowa returns to track legislative developments in the new session.Listen next: Start the series at Part 1, then continue through Parts 2–5 for the full story.

In the fourth part of Deciding Iowa’s six-part series on water, Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek and Dr. Emily Boevers turn their attention to the backbone of Iowa agriculture: row crops. Joined by Dr. Matt Helmers, they explore the challenges of an “annual cropping system” that leaks nutrients into our waterways, even when best practices are followed.The conversation digs into:Why corn and soybeans dominate Iowa’s 24 million acres of row crops—and what that means for nitrate runoff.The limits of nitrogen management and why even “no-fertilizer” plots still lose nitrates.How cover crops and perennial systems mimic natural prairie and reduce leaching.The promise—and economic hurdles—of introducing small grains and forage crops into Iowa rotations.Why voluntary adoption alone may not be enough to protect our water.This episode shines a light on the structural and economic obstacles of diversifying Iowa’s crop system, and what it will take for clean water solutions to take root.

In this third episode of our six-part Deciding Iowa series on water, Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek and Dr. Emily Boevers explore one of the most pressing and complex challenges facing Iowa’s waterways: manure management and nonpoint source contamination.Iowa is home to the highest concentration of concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in the world. With more than 4,000 CAFOs across the state, questions about oversight, nutrient application, and long-term water quality are more urgent than ever. Shawn and Emily are joined by Rep. Chuck Isenhart and Mr. Wally Taylor to unpack how manure waste is regulated, the role of state and federal policies, and why groups like the Sierra Club are litigating waste management plans.The conversation touches on:What CAFOs are, and why they matter in Iowa’s water story.Who is responsible for monitoring manure application and compliance with management plans.The seasonal and economic realities of manure spreading and new technologies.The balance between supporting farmers and protecting public water resources.With reduced funding for water monitoring and increasing deregulation, the panel asks tough questions: Are we doing enough to keep nutrients in the field and out of our rivers? And if not, who ultimately pays the price for cleanup?Join us as we dig into the complexity of Iowa’s manure management, its impact on water quality, and what must change to protect our shared future.

In this second episode of our six-part Deciding Iowa series on water, hosts Dr. Shawn Ellerbroek and Dr. Emily Boevers dig into Iowa’s drinking water: where it comes from, how much we have, and the challenges in protecting it.Recent headlines have spotlighted rising nitrate levels in Iowa’s rivers, putting stress on water treatment facilities and raising concerns for public health. To unpack the science, policy, and law behind these issues, we’re joined by two leading voices:Chuck Isenhart, former Iowa State Representative and current investigative reporter and environmental advocate.Wally Taylor, longtime environmental attorney, representing the Sierra Club in cases involving water, land use, and pipeline projects.Together, they explore Iowa’s aquifers, the risks of contamination, gaps in regulation, and the tension between protecting water resources and supporting agriculture and industry.This episode raises tough questions about how Iowa manages its most vital resource—and what it will take to secure safe, clean water for future generations.

Nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus are flowing into Iowa’s waterways at alarming levels, fueling pollution and long-term risks for our health, economy, and environment. In this episode, Shawn and Emily sit down with Dr. Matt Helmers, Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center and Dean's Professor in the College of Ag and Life Sciences, and Professor at Iowa State University to unpack what’s being done, what’s working, and what still needs urgent attention.