Branstad secrecy deals threaten Iowa history and funds
Guest columnist James C. Larew charges the Branstad administration with secret termination agreements containing confidentiality clauses and hush money provisions. He argues the practice swapped merit-based protections for at will positions, hid payments totaling nearly $500,000, and undermined the Iowa Constitution and law. He contrasts Culver era practices, noting far fewer nondisclosure payments, and urges legislative resistance across parties.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa General Assembly
Terry Branstad
Branstad
State Appeal Board
Iowa
Bronstad Administration
Chet Culver
Culver
Agri
Bill Northey
Northey
Culver-Judge
Harold E. Hughes
Robert D. Ray
Braley calls for reform on judiciary chair as Iowa farmer fear looms
A letter cites U S Senate candidate Bruce Braley warning that control of the Senate Judiciary Committee could shift to Chuck Grassley, urging support for Braley and criticizing lawyers and federal policy. The writer argues for broader roles beyond lawyers and highlights a need for child safety education through Erin's Law in Iowa.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
U.S. Senate
Bruce Braley
Senate Judiciary Committee
Iowa
Chuck Grassley
Washington
Ben Carson Advocates Personal Responsibility Over Victimhood
In strong terms Ben S Carson argues against depersonalizing the black community through victimhood narratives. He cites figures like Booker T Washington and Frederick Douglass, urges unity, hard work, and personal responsibility, and calls for embracing traditional values and faith to empower youth and counter manipulation. He notes his Johns Hopkins status and offers contact details for comments.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Booker T. Washington
George Washington Carver
Frederick Douglass
Harriet Tubman
America
Retiring Iowa Senator Houser Leaves Capitol for Farm Life
Iowa state Senator Hubert Houser from district 11 in southwest Iowa quit the 100 day session in March to return to his family chicken farming operation. He kept collecting a daily expense payment and later returned to the Capitol, saying he will stay on the farm.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hubert
Houser
Carson
Iowa
Statehouse
Senate
Des Moines
Capitol
Golden Biodome
Iowa Association of United Organized Associations
Washington D.C
Also Mentioned on This Page
James C. Larew
People’s Business
Iowa City
James Larew
LarewLawOffice.com
Dale Fitzgibbons
Cedar Rapids
Ben Carson
Ben S. Carson
Johns Hopkins University
West Chesapeake Ave
Towson
Dorman
Todd Dorman
Senator
Todd
Thegazette
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