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.
Tossing partisan politics aside, Iowa’s five congressmen jointly penned a letter to President Barack Obama, urging quick action on federal disaster declarations for several Iowa counties.
The letter, which appears below, notes that a request for the declarations was made earlier in the month by Gov. Chet Culver, when state officials realized that the “severity and magnitude” of damage from recent and ongoing storms has exceeded the response capabilities of the state and local governments. If Obama grants the request, the state could be eligible for public assistance and individual assistance in the coming weeks.
More than 30 of Iowa’s 99 counties were requested by Culver for consideration for pubic assistance. Those counties are Adams, Appanoose, Audubon, Buena Vista, Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Davis, Decatur, Franklin, Howard, Humboldt, Iowa, Lee, Lyon, Madison, Marion, Mills, Monroe, Montgomery, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Shelby, Union, Van Buren, Wapello, Warren, Wayne, Webster and Wright.
In addition, 18 others were requested by Culver for consideration for individual assistance: Butler, Cherokee, Clay, Decatur, Emmet, Franklin, Hamilton, Howard, Lee, O’Brien, Osceola, Palo Alto, Ringgold, Taylor, Union, Warren, Webster and Wright counties.
In addition to the letter, all five congressmen — Democrats Leonard Boswell, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack and Republicans Tom Latham and Steve King — issued the following prepared statements:
Boswell: “For the second time in two years, flood waters have ravaged homes, farmland and businesses across the state. I support Governor Culver’s request for presidential disaster declarations for several Iowa counties that have been impacted by the flooding. Many Iowans are still trying to recover and rebuild from the floods of 2008 and this summer’s weather has set them further behind. I encourage the President to issue these declarations in order to help Iowa’s families and small businesses get back on their feet.”
Braley: “In recent weeks and months, severe weather has taken a serious toll on communities across the state of Iowa. It is critical now, just as it was following the floods of 2008, for the federal government to respond quickly and efficiently to give our communities the tools they need to recover. I look forward to working with President Obama, Governor Culver and my colleagues here in Washington to make sure Iowa’s small towns and families aren’t hung out to dry.”
King: “Iowa has been hit hard by the severe weather systems that have moved through our state, and the people who have been affected expect a swift and efficient response. In Cherokee County, for example, the waters exceeded the 1993 flood levels. There is no doubt that the request for federal help to these areas is appropriate and I look forward to continuing to work with Governor Culver, the members of Iowa’s Congressional delegation and President Obama to ensure that this assistance is approved quickly.”
Latham: “The severe weather that has recently struck throughout Iowa requires a coordinated and efficient response. Iowans are no strangers to severe weather and I have no doubt that the impacted communities will come back stronger than ever. However there is a legitimate need for federal help, and I’ll do everything I can to work with my colleagues to make sure that need is met.”
Loebsack: “Iowa has struggled since the Floods of 2008, and the current flooding is hurting our state’s ongoing recovery efforts. I support this request to help affected residents, businesses, and farmers and look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues to ensure that this is handled in a timely manner. Iowans are in trouble and we must assure them that help is on the way.”
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