PODCAST

Not Quite Quorum

Laura Bergus and Oliver Weilein

Conversations about Iowa City, focusing on issues facing our local government and community.

government politics

All Episodes

0:45:00

What's Going On (with the Jail Convos)???

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/07/04

Watch the July 1 Board of Supervisors’ work session here.Watch the July 2 Board of Supervisors’ formal meeting here.Join the conversation at johnsoncountydeservesbetter.org!By the numbers: jailfacts.org.

0:37:40

What's Changed Since July 10, 2024?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/28

Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus discuss the current status of Johnson County’s journey towards a new jail, revisiting an early Board of Supervisors work session on the topic, held July 10, 2024.

0:55:01

What Can NYC Learn from IC?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/27

Oliver and Laura discuss the recent big wins in the New York Democratic primary for Democratic Socialists, and how it relates to local politics in Iowa CIty and Johnson County.

0:40:56

Can We Figure Out Where the Snow Goes?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/19

Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss recent Iowa City city council actions, like a new pilot for a couple of protected bike lanes on Dodge and Governor Streets this fall. And Oliver shares what it feels like to be solidly outside of the elites' club.Books recommended this episode:King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam HochschildThe First Law series by Joe AbercrombieStation Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

0:35:37

When Will We Know the Jail Ballot Language?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/15

Laura and Nick Bergus discuss continued myths surrounding the Johnson County jail, and what we will be asked to believe.

0:51:21

Who Needs Permission to Vote No?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/13

Books recommended this episode: Means and Ends by Zoe Baker The Women Could Fly by Megan Giddings

00:21:50

What Does Tuesday Tell Us About November?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/07

Laura and Nick Bergus check in about the Democratic primary results and what they might teach us about the jail vote in November.

0:37:37

What Makes for a Healthy Discussion on the Dais?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/06/05

Oliver Weilein and Laura Bergus discuss city council's recent agreement to help out some displaced tenants.

00:53:14

Who Defines Public Safety?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/30

Laura and Nick Bergus continue their weekly discussion of a proposed new Johnson County jail, focusing on how we define "public safety," and why it must be different than just the reactive State punishment system.

00:43:53

Are We Done with Silly(est) Season Yet??

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/29

Oliver and Laura discuss the upcoming primary election on June 2.

00:42:39

What Do the Jail Pricetags Include?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/23

Laura Bergus and Nick Bergus provide a weekly update on public discourse and questions about the proposed new Johnson County, Iowa, jail.

0:55:31

Why Try Deer Birth Control?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/23

Oliver and Laura discuss progress on the Summit Street City-developed affordable housing project, deer "management," and how everything (literally everything in society) is made up.

0:50:37

What Do Jail Stats Say About the Need for a Bigger Jail?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/16

Laura and Nick Bergus discuss a recent Community Conversation hosted by Great Plains Action Society about the question of a new, bigger jail.

00:47:56

Why Can't We Just Be Normal to Each Other?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/16

Laura and Oliver discuss the upcoming city council meeting, ongoing silliness at the Board of Supervisors, and the standards we should hold each other to, as elected officials.

01:01:06

What's New in the (In)Decision for a New County Jail?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/09

Nick and Laura discuss the happenings of the past week around the County's (in)decision to push for a new jail.

00:59:42

How Do We Manage Big Feelings in Small Political Spaces?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/08

Oliver shares about his recent tour with Japanese hardcore band Wipes, Laura vents about Johnson County Board of Supervisors shenanigans--could there be a community effort for transformative investments in affordable housing?!--and both reflect on the challenges of needing therapy and a thick skin to govern well.

0:49:30

How Does the 13th Amendment Influence Our Jail Vote?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/05/02

Special guest Nick Bergus returns to talk with Laura about plans for the Johnson County jail, the upcoming vote on ballot language for a new jail, conversations with other local elected officials about the jail, and the history of jail bond votes locally.

01:16:55

How Do Electeds Handle Interpersonal Conflict?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/04/24

Laura and Oliver discuss the aftermath of the shooting in the ped mall, creation of a new community response reserve fund, and how local elected leaders talk to each other.

00:45:40

Haven't We Tried All of That Before?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/04/17

Oliver and Laura discuss the upcoming city council meeting agenda, public records on private platforms, and Johnson County electoral politics.

0:54:53

What Are We Balancing in Housing Policy?

Not Quite Quorum ·

2026/04/12

Oliver and Laura discuss housing policy, proposed property tax reform, and what it takes to win elections.

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Not Quite Quorum

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