From the September 2025 edition of The Prairie Progressive, Iowa’s oldest progressive newsletter. The PP is  funded entirely by reader subscription, available in hard copy for $15/yr.  Send check to PP, Box 1945, Iowa City 52244. Click here for archived issues

Iowa’s governor routinely denies requests for public records. Media outlets have been charged exorbitant fees for emails from public officials doing public business on public time.

When COVID rampaged through the state, the Iowa Department of Public Health stopped posting daily updates and provided only minimal details about the number of infections and where they occurred.

Reynolds sued the Des Moines Register to prevent it from releasing emails from her staff. Reporters have resorted to suing the administration to receive public records. In the 2024 legislative session, lawmakers passed a bill that would have enacted penalties for any
governmental official violating laws on open meetings and open records. Reynolds vetoed this bill—her only veto of the entire session.

Now comes the Governor’s latest affront to transparent government. Recently, Iowa’s Department of Administrative Services (DAS) announced it will close the State  Historical Society of Iowa’s Centennial Building (SHSI) in Iowa City.

The decision was made in a brief period of time without consulting the SHSI board, donors, or other stakeholders. The DAS ignored protocol by failing to request funds from the Iowa legislature to merge the Iowa City collections with those of the Historical Society’s building in Des Moines. The closure appears to be illegal; Iowa Code 8A.707
states that the Department of Administrative Services “shall maintain research centers in Des Moines and Iowa City.”

The Reynolds administration is once again acting hastily and without public input. Property owners, attorneys, city planners, documentary filmmakers, genealogists, developers, and everyday Iowans use this incredible resource—not just academics and students.

Abruptly announcing the closure of a widely used state resource serving Iowans since 1857 is only the latest example of our governor’s arrogant, secretive, and heavy-handed style of
decision-making. Reynolds’ excuses of confidentiality and executive privilege have worn thin.

In the words of Randy Evans, director of the Iowa Freedom of Information Council, “Government officials sometimes forget that government belongs to the people, not to the
officials.” Our government officials have also forgotten that the history, culture, and valuable artifacts donated by thousands of Iowans are not their private property.

Governor Reynolds’ phone number is 515-281-5211.

—David Leshtz

BFIA editor’s note:  A petition to reverse this bad decision is on its way to 7,000 signatures. Please go to change.org and sign if you haven’t already to  help it reach 10,000 signatures. Click here for more information and to add your name.  

Watch the rally in Iowa City to save Iowa history.