Wednesday was a difficult day for The American Independent News Network, which is the larger entity that operates The Iowa Independent. Our chief executive and founder announced two of our sister sites would close and their content would be moved to The American Independent.
A recently introduced bill could have far-reaching impact on the U.S. sugar industry, including American Crystal Sugar, a farmer-owned cooperative that locked out 1,300 Midwest workers on Aug. 1.
The chairman for Herman Cain’s Iowa effort says the campaign “relied more on the word of farmers than Washington regulators” in deciding to run an ad containing claims the Environmental Protection Agency says are false.
The Iowa Senate will remain under the control of a slim 26-25 Democratic majority when it reconvenes in January 2012.
While the official legislative “funnel week” doesn’t start until Monday, committee chairs are being encouraged to push bills through this week in hopes of an early conclusion to this year’s session.
Bills must be passed by at least one committee by the funnel week deadline of March 13 in order to be considered alive for the rest of the session. But from the opening gavel of the 2009 General Assembly Democratic leadership has made it clear they would like to hold a short session to save money. That would mean pushing bills sooner than normal in order to adjourn by April 2.
Budget and tax bills, along with measures proposed by legislative leadership, are exempt from the deadline.
On their blog, Senate Republicans said legislators could expect some late nights going forward in order to accommodate a debate calendar that is starting to fill up.
Both chambers adjourned for the day early this morning to allow extended debate in committees.
Follow Jason Hancock on Twitter
Do you know where to vote on Election Day? Do you know what to bring with you? Get comprehensive voter information for your state here.
Sign up for our email newsletter