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.
Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin ranks 8th among senators in the value of earmarks he won in the 2009 omnibus spending bill, according to Taxpayers for Common Sense.
The non-partisan watchdog organization identified 8,570 disclosed earmarks totaling $7.7 billion in the spending bill currently in the Senate. Harkin is solely responsible for 56 earmarks totaling nearly $67 million. When earmarks sponsored with other senators are added to the total, Harkin ranks 5th on the list, with 177 earmarks totaling $292 million
Republican Sen. Charles Grassley ranks 76th on the individual list but rockets to 11th when earmarks sponsored with other senators are included. Grassley helped win inclusion of 119 earmarks totaling nearly $120 million.
Democratic Sen. Robert Byrd of West Virginia tops the individual list, with 60 earmarks totaling $122 million. Republican Sen. Thad Cochran of Mississippi tops the group list, with nearly $471 million in earmarks.
Taxpayers for Common Sense plans a similar list for House members.
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