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.
Tuesday night’s public hearing on Democratic tax reform bill was intentionally disrupted in an effort “designed to mock the process,” Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Michael Kiernan said.
“While leaders in the Iowa House and Senate approach the legislative process with openness and inclusion of the community, the Republican Party of Iowa, in partnership with Iowans for Tax Relief, orchestrated an event designed to mock the process,” Kiernan said. “They intentionally disrupted proceedings by jeering and yelling at Iowans who held an opinion opposite of theirs.”
The crowd was admonished several times by Democratic leadership for applauding those in opposition to the legislation and jeering those in support, which several speakers said came across as disrespectful. Eventually, House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, asked state troopers to evict from the chambers anyone who was not signed up to speak.
Once outside, Iowans for Tax Relief President Ed Failor Jr. said Murphy was acting like “a jack-booted Nazi.”
“Iowans need their legislators to come together in civil debate,” Kiernan said. “Instead, Republicans offered only intimidation and hate; some even resorted to throwing objects at fellow citizens and even calling the Speaker of the House a Nazi. Their actions were disrespectful to the legislative process and the Iowans they claim to represent.”
Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn saw things differently, calling Murphy’s actions “gross display of arrogance and disdain for Iowa taxpayers.”
“Shame on you, Pat Murphy,” Strawn said, adding: “The day you tried to silence Iowans will never be forgotten.”
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