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.
A bill allowing consumers to trade in gas-guzzling automobiles for a $4,500 voucher for more fuel-efficient vehicles passed the U.S. House Tuesday.
Co-sponsored by Iowa Democratic Rep. Bruce Braley, the “cash for clunkers” legislation is designed to boost car sales during a bleak period for the auto industry. It also aims to reduce the amount of cars on the nation’s roads with poor fuel efficiency.
Car owners could get a voucher worth $3,500 if they traded in a vehicle getting 18 miles per gallon or less for one getting at least 22 miles per gallon. The value of the voucher would grow to $4,500 if the mileage of the new car were 10 mpg higher than the old vehicle. The House approved the bill 298-119.
“The passage of Cash for Clunkers legislation will help boost our economy, save families money, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” Braley said in a statement. “Cash for Clunkers is a common-sense idea that can have a big impact on the economy, reducing emissions and saving American jobs by jumpstarting the auto industry. I hope the passage of this bill today is a sign that this program will start benefiting families and American workers as soon as possible.”
Discussing the bill with the Iowa Independent earlier this year, Braley pointed to Germany, which passed a similar incentive and saw its auto sales jump 20 percent. (While no one disputes that the bill would be a boost to the ailing automobile industry, it is debatable whether it will be a net positive or negative for the environment.)
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