1. United States
2. Iowa
3. Letter

I’m writing to share some exciting news and to encourage you to be part of what could be a historic moment for Iowa democracy. Right now, all eyes are on Hawaii, where Senate Bill 2471 is making remarkable progress. The bill uses a clever and constitutionally grounded argument — that corporations are artificial entities created by state law, and that states therefore have the authority to define their powers — including the power NOT to spend money influencing elections. Legal experts at the Center for American Progress are calling it the furthest any similar bill has gotten in any state, and say it could make Citizens United irrelevant at the state level. If it passes and survives legal challenge, it becomes a template every state in the nation can follow. Iowa is actually well-positioned to act. Our own state constitution has an entire article — Article VIII — dedicated to corporations and their privileges and limitations. The legal foundation is already there. With that in mind, I’d like to respectfully ask two things: First, I’d ask you to keep a close eye on Hawaii’s progress this spring — their legislative session ends May 8 — and be ready to act when their bill becomes law. The groundwork you lay now will matter enormously. Second, I’d encourage you to consider two concrete steps Iowa can take right now: • Introduce a bill mirroring Hawaii’s approach, invoking Article VIII of Iowa’s constitution to clarify that the state does not grant corporations the power to spend on elections. Even if it faces a tough road in the current legislature, it creates a public record, sparks vital debate, and signals clearly to voters where their representatives stand. • Strengthen Iowa’s existing disclosure law to require real-time, detailed reporting of all independent expenditure spending. Voters across party lines want to know who is paying for the ads they see — this is the kind of common-sense transparency reform that has genuine bipartisan appeal. I know the current political climate in Iowa makes bold reform challenging, but I also believe the appetite for change is real and growing. Iowans are frustrated with the influence of big money in politics — and they’re looking for leaders willing to fight for them. Thank you for the work you do every day on behalf of your constituents. I’m genuinely grateful for your service, and I’m excited about the possibilities ahead. With appreciation and optimism,