EP 92 - Iowa at a Crossroads: Bridging the Divide with Senator Jesse Green & Rep. Henry Stone

In this wide-ranging and candid conversation, I sit downwith Senator Jesse Green and State Representative Henry Stone to discuss the issues shaping Iowa’s future — and the growing need to bridge divides withinthe Iowa Legislature.

We cover the real tension between the Iowa House and Senate, the fallout from last session’s eminent domain battle, and why property taxes remain the number one concern I heard while knocking thousands of doors acrossthe state. From public health governance and vaccine legislation to education reform, school choice, and fiscal responsibility, this episode takes listeners inside the legislative process with honesty and depth.

This episode is sponsored by Gorilla Covers

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The conversation also moves beyond policy into leadership,faith, and character — including how personal journeys, military service, shared values, and experiences abroad (including Israel) shape how these leaders approach public service, democracy, and difficult decisions.

This episode is for anyone who wants a clearer understandingof where Iowa is headed — politically, culturally, and spiritually — and what it will take to govern well in a divided moment.

Chapters

00:00 Opening Remarks and Session Overview

04:59 Property Tax Challenges and Solutions

09:54 Eminent Domain and Pipeline Issues

15:10 Legislative Dynamics and Internal Politics

20:03 Child Protection and Education Initiatives

24:47 Health and Vaccine Legislation

30:11 Public Health Governance and Future Directions

33:11 Faith as a Guiding Principle in Politics

39:40 Personal Journeys: From Military to Politics

43:34 Diverse Backgrounds, Common Faith

48:44 The Impact of Faith on Political Decisions

50:51 Insights from a Trip to Israel

55:27 Support for Israel: A Political Perspective

01:02:43 The Spiritual Element of Democracy

01:03:43 Understanding the Context of Conflict

01:06:29 The Iowa Governor’s Race Dynamics

01:09:43 Authenticity and Competence in Leadership

01:12:03 The Importance of Republican Governance

01:14:44 Budget Surplus and Fiscal Responsibility

01:17:10 Teacher Pay and Education Funding

01:20:49 Innovations in Education and School Choice

01:27:11 Integrity in Politics and Governance

01:30:04 The Power of Language in Politics

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