In this timely and thought-provoking episode of the Iowa Manufacturing Podcast, Leisa sits down with Iowa State Senator Sarah Trone Garriott to talk candidly about the current dynamics at the Iowa Capitol. Representing a diverse district that includes Waukee and parts of West Des Moines, Trone Garriott brings a balanced perspective to the conversation, touching on hot-button issues like school vouchers, workforce concerns, and the increasing complexity of navigating state government.
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With a background in ministry and community engagement, Trone Garriott shares how her move from Virginia to Iowa shaped her expectations of Midwest governance—and how the reality, once in the trenches of the legislature, has shifted her understanding. She offers a behind-the-scenes look at what balance of power really means in a modern state legislature and what “efficiency” in government looks like—or doesn’t—in practice.
This episode also explores the tension between local control and state mandates, and the challenges of ensuring all Iowans are served equitably in a time of shifting political winds. With Waukee’s rapid growth as a backdrop, the conversation covers how policy impacts infrastructure, education, and economic development in one of Iowa’s fastest-growing regions.
Whether you’re in manufacturing, education, or civic leadership, you’ll walk away with deeper insight into how decisions at the Capitol affect your world—and why bipartisan conversations like this one matter more than ever.