What is Dillon’s Rule? Does the Iowa Constitution have a Home Rule Amendment? What, exactly, is home rule anyway? If these questions keep you awake at night, or if you are just mildly curious, you’ll want to attend this special Johnson County League of Women Voters event.
Iowa’s Home Rule Amendment grants city and county governments the authority to enact laws governing local affairs so long as they are not inconsistent with state laws. Proponents argue that home rule is essential for effective and responsive municipal government, pointing out that many lawmaking decisions can be made closest to the people they impact and can be tailored to fit local conditions, needs, and concerns to better serve taxpayers and residents. But what happens when the state begins to micromanage local governments by repeatedly curbing home rule to benefit particular interests?
Drake University law professor Hunter R. Clark, in conversation with Johnson County Attorney Rachel Zimmerman Smith and Iowa City Mayor Pro Tem Megan Alter, will explore the history of home rule in Iowa, recent trends in the state legislature, and the impact on Johnson County communities.
Professor Clark will open the program with brief remarks on the history of home rule in Iowa and then moderate a discussion with County Attorney Zimmerman Smith and Mayor Pro Tem Alter. There will be time for questions and comments from the audience.
Hunter R. Clark is Professor of Law at Drake University. His areas of expertise include international law, international human rights law, international trade, state and local government law, and the U.S. Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, J.D. 1979, and Harvard College, A.B. 1976. During law school, he wrote for the Harvard International Law Journal and edited the Harvard Civil Rights-Civil Liberties Law Review. From 1981-1986, he worked as a staff writer for Time magazine, writing weekly articles on world affairs and diplomatic developments. He joined Drake University’s law faculty in 1993. Prof. Clark’s writings have appeared in leading journals and law reviews, including the Cornell International Law Journal, Minnesota Journal of Global Trade, and The American University International Law Review. He is the author of two books: Justice Brennan: The Great Conciliator and Thurgood Marshall: Warrior at the Bar, Rebel on the Bench.
Rachel Zimmerman Smith was elected Johnson County Attorney in 2022 after serving as an assistant county attorney for over a decade. Born and raised in Johnson County, Iowa, and a graduate of the University of Iowa College of Law, her commitment to a safe and vital Johnson County is personal as well as professional. In addition to her duties as County Attorney, Rachel currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Iowa State Association of Counties, the Iowa County Attorney’s Association, and the Iowa State Mortality Review Committee, which she chairs.
Megan Alter is currently serving her second term as an Iowa City Councilor and also her second term as Mayor Pro Tem. She has lived in Iowa City since 1995 when she moved here to finish her Ph.D. in English literature, and she argues this is proof that degrees in the humanities are strong foundations for just about any career. Megan’s political and community experience has focused mainly on women’s and children’s wellbeing. During COVID, she and Missie Forbes, former director of 4Cs, co-founded NESTs, micro-hubs for students needing safe support outside of school. They worked with Dream City and Open Heartland—as well as a host of local government agencies and non-profit organizations—to secure funding, equipment, and staff. Megan also served on the Iowa City Housing and Community Development Commission for a term and a half. In her day job, she works as a Director of Academic Content at ACT, with a focus on strategic planning and execution and change management.
This free event is cosponsored by the League of Women Voters of Johnson County and the Iowa City Public Library, and will also be streamed live on the ICPL YouTube channel.