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.
The Iowa Commission on the Status of Women wants to hear more from women – particularly young women and minorities – about the issues that most affect their lives.
The commission has scheduled a hearing at 2 p.m. Oct. 9 at 300 E. Locust St., in Des Moines’ East Village. Speakers are encouraged to discuss issues considered to be important to women including family, child care, health, insurance, sexual harassment, employment issues and housing, among other topics.
Rachel Scott, who joined the commission last week as division administrator, said the commission is trying to shake things up and move in a new direction.
“I want to definitely involve more younger women and women of color and really kind of `regular women’ in this,” Scott said. “I think it’s important to really raise the profile of women’s issues in Iowa.”
Scott said she hopes to build interest among groups who may not have traditionally been involved with the commission. She said women have serious concerns about issues such as health, violence and self-sufficiency. Women continually face economic concerns, she said, because women earn just 77 cents on the dollar of what men earn.
“It’s time to think big,” she said, about potential solutions.
She encouraged residents and groups that advocate on behalf of women to participate in the hearing. Testimony at the hearing will help guide the commission as it forms its legislative priorities for 2008.
Lori SchraderBachar, coordinator of publications and special projects, said the deadline to sign up as a speaker is noon Sept. 24. To sign up, call SchraderBachar at (515) 281-4470. Participants are allowed five minutes to speak.
Written statements also can be submitted to the commission. Fifteen copies of the material must be received by 4:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the commission’s office, which is in the Lucas State Office Building in Des Moines.
All participants must also complete a sign up form, which can be downloaded from the commission’s website at www.state.ia.us/government/dhr/sw/.
SchraderBachar said typical speakers include women’s health groups, justice groups and individuals.
The commission was created in 1972 by the Iowa Legislature. The agency studies issues affecting women and advocates for them. Issues the commission tackles include: elder care, insurance, divorce, pay equity, housing, domestic violence, sexual assault, education and many others.
Other public hearings may be held elsewhere around the state, but have not been scheduled yet, Scott said.
“It’s important to meet women where they are,” Scott said.
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