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 controversial $50 million appropriation for an indoor rain forest in Pella will likely be revoked if the Department of Energy fails to OK pledges and commitments made by non-federal entities before President Bush signs the new omnibus spending bill.
That’s because the new spending bill passed this week includes legislation rescinding the $50 million appropriation, which was first granted in 2003. The project was widely criticized in the Iowa blogosphere and was targeted as a prime example of government waste by members of the national media.
Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley secured a $50 million appropriation in 2003 to help pay for the project, which was expected at the time to cost $150 million to $200 million to construct.
At the time the project enjoyed broad support among elected officials in the state, including former Governor Bob Ray; then Governor Tom Vilsack; Senator Tom Harkin; Congressman Leonard Boswell, the former Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, Mike Blouin, and the former Director of the Iowa Department of Education, Ted Stillwell.However, current Gov. Chet Culver used the project to criticize opponent Jim Nussle in the 2006 gubernatorial election. Culver and his running mate, current Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, produced a humorous television ad showing the pair standing in the rain talking about wasteful government spending.
Grassley released a statement on Wednesday expressing disappointment that the appropriation was rescinded.
“Earthpark could bring unique opportunities to Iowa – not just environmental or energy related — but also long lasting benefits to Iowa’s economy and education system. Some may agree or disagree with the worthiness of this project, but I put in place a process to ensure the money wasn’t frittered away. The Appropriations Committee should have let the current law play out, giving the Energy Department ample time to consider the matching funds proposal, before allowing the law governing the federal dollars to be changed. I’m frustrated with this move by the majority. It goes to show that the pledge to be more transparent doesn’t appear to be more than a campaign promise that wouldn’t be kept. This action was unfair to Pella, the project leaders, and those who stepped up to the plate to provide contributions.”
The rain forest, which was formerly known as the Iowa Environmental Project but is now called Earthpark, was seen by its supporters as a potentially important tourism draw and educational tool.
Proponents of the indoor rain forest say is will be an “a family destination for fun and discovery, a refreshing oasis of learning for the young and old” and “
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