This month’s episode features a conversation with the League’s governmental affairs team. Robert Palmer and Daniel Stalder share the importance of the interim months between legislative sessions and the foundation that happens during that time. We also hear an overview of the League’s Legislative Values and they discuss ways cities can become more involved with the legislative process and how their involvement can help shape the laws that are passed for their communities. The team also shares their favorite and least favorite things about the legislative session.

We then join Maria Brownell, an attorney with Ahlers & Cooney, a Partner Program of the League. Maria shares her experience as a municipal attorney and a few tips cities can implement.

Episode 34: The one with the League’s Legislative Team

twitch.tv/kitboga
SoundCloud's compression is terrible. I'd recommend listening on Spotify/Apple Music/YouTube etc.

Just Wait A Moment (feat. Kitboga)

DOWNLOAD: https://reddrumn.bandcamp.com/track/ocean-man-kitboga-cover-remix
MUSIC VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RqLHM6BFK4
ORIGINAL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2zTrldHFzg&t=106s

A drum pad and some background noise make a song "chill lo-fi" right?
Just a bit of a more fleshed out version of Kitboga's live cover of Ocean Man. Had a lot of fun slicing up some of the guitar parts.

Ocean Man (single)

Kitboga - Ocean Man [ReddRumn Remix]

Jim Thompson, Downtown Economic Development Specialist at the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA), joins the podcast for a fun conversation about his experiences working with cities and programs that can help communities at the IEDA.

Jim previously served as a council member in Charles City before getting involved in economic development work, giving him keen insight into what works for cities and the challenges that so many face. Hear his perspective on what cities can do to understand their identity, make important improvements around the community and specific programs that cities can utilize through the IEDA.

In this episode's Your Questions Answered segment we dive into the differences between a city manager and a city administrator. And the Get to Know Your League conversation features a fun talk with Tim Kirgan of IMWCA, who talks about his role with the League and shares a little baseball wisdom.

As always, send questions and trivia answers to thesquare@iowaleague.org.

Episode 5: The one with Jim Thompson from IEDA

This month's episode features a recap of the recently completed legislative session, which includes several pieces of legislation important to city governments. We sat down with Robert Palmer and Daniel Stalder from the League's Government Affairs team to get their thoughts on the session. They provided some interesting perspectives on what it's like to work in the Capitol, a few of the important issues that came out of the 2019 session and what kind of work is planned before next year. Also, be sure to read the New Laws of Interest Special Report to get more information on the bills passed that affected cities.

The Get to Know Your League segment includes a fun interview with Kim Gannon, our claims examiner with IMWCA. And this month's Your Questions Answered features a question from Decorah city council member Johanna Bergan, who asked what cities can do create a more equitable government. 

Our top trivia expert Ryan Pealer provides the answer to last episode's trivia question that asked which state has the most disc golf courses per capita, and for this month's trivia we have the following: What city is home to the American Gothic House Center, which was the inspiration for Grant Wood's famous painting? 

Be sure to send your trivia answers, the question of the month and any comments to thesquare@iowaleague.org!

Episode 34: The one with the League’s Legislative Team

The Square

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