The Iowa Legislature website contains legislators’ names and contact information, all current and archived legislation, the Code of Iowa, the Iowa Administrative Code, fiscal information and current issues publications from the Legislative Services Agency, lobbyists’ names and clientele lists, educational pamphlets about how government works, the legislative calendar, daily House and Senate calendars and links to live audio from both chambers as legislators are meeting.
The Governor’s office website contains links to information about the governor, the lieutenant governor, the first lady, constituent services (flag status, how to request a proclamation, how to request a letter, how to apply for executive clemency), the newsroom (press releases and speeches) and accomplishments (executive orders, signed legislation and special projects);
Iowa’s Democratic Party and Iowa’s Republican Party websites contain information about party platforms, event calendars, candidates, county organization maps, volunteer forms and news coverage.
Iowa Public Radio covers Iowa’s political scene, including the program entitled “The Exchange,” hosted by Jeneane Beck, which airs from the State Library’s Law Library every Monday morning at 10:00 (during legislative sessions) and features interviews with political figures in state government.
Resources for Political Information and Fact-Checking:
Factcheck.org
A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. Politics
Washington Post Fact Checker
A blog by veteran Washington Post political reporter Glenn Kessler that is devoted to fact-checking statements by politicians and political advocacy groups, and ranking their accuracy.
Politifact.com
A scorecard separating fact from fiction for all parties produced by the St. Petersburg Times. Among other things, it tracks President Obama’s campaign promises.
Center for Responsive Politics
This research group tracks money in U.S. politics and its effect on elections and public policy. Nonpartisan, independent and nonprofit, it aims to create a more educated electorate.
New York Times Interactive Politics site
This site provides analysis and context to explain and expose presidential candidates’ truths, half-truths, and exaggerations.
Rumor Check.org
Rumorcheck.org is a website dedicated to countering the creation and mass distribution of statements that have little or no basis in fact.
Snopes.com
Snopes.com explains and exposes urban legends, myths, rumors, and misinformation.
iMediaEthics
iMediaEthincs Media Ethics News and Invesigative Reports.
The Sunlight Foundation
The Sunlight Foundation is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that uses the power of the Internet to catalyze greater government openness and transparency, and provides new tools and resources for media and citizens.
Poynter
is a website devoted to unusual or noteworthy corrections started by Craig Silverman, who is now with the Poynter Institute.
The Report an Error Alliance
is a group that is trying to make it easy for consumers to report errors on a news organization’s web page. Please note how it is used on every article in the Washington Post. Within the article, you will find a link to “corrections.”
