Our History

The Madison Report was founded in February 2023 by a group of volunteers who wanted more transparency in county government. In history, it is often a specific incident that pushes otherwise complacent citizens into action. This was no exception. Our tipping point was February 14, 2023, when a petition containing over 450 online signatures was presented in a public hearing in Winterset, Iowa. A local resident presented the names of those Madison County residents who requested the Board of Supervisors limit raises for the county’s elected officials. The motion to receive and file the petition was not passed. Two weeks later, the petition was presented again, with an explanation of the importance of allowing citizens the opportunity to petition their government. That February 28, 2023, meeting was our first recorded meeting. We have continued to record county meetings since that time. Over a dozen volunteers have assisted in recording, editing, uploading, and timestamping our videos.

Our Name

The name The Madison Report carries a dual meaning. It reflects both our home in Madison County, Iowa, and our inspiration from James Madison, author of the Bill of Rights and one of the foremost defenders of individual liberty in American history. Known as the “Father of the Constitution,” Madison believed that government must remain accountable to the people it serves. He was instrumental in framing the system of checks and balances designed to prevent the concentration of power, and he argued passionately that a free press and an informed citizenry are the strongest safeguards of democracy.

Our Vision

James Madison once wrote that “a popular government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a farce or a tragedy.” Those words continue to resonate today. They remind us that transparency is not optional — it is the foundation of self-government. While The Madison Report began in Madison County, our vision extends beyond it. We aim to be a platform for citizens across Iowa to share their stories, document local government actions, and bring attention to overreach or corruption wherever it occurs.