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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.
Although House Democrats stand little chance of stopping any bill that is presented for consideration with 50 Republican sponsors, the caucus is voicing its opposition to legislation that would require Iowans to present photo identification before casting their vote.
The bill, House File 95 (formerly House File 8), was introduced in the House Wednesday after garnering approval from the Committee on State Government. According to its GOP sponsors, the bill is necessary to prevent ongoing, widespread voter fraud that county attorneys have refused to prosecute. They also point to the partisan change in the Iowa Secretary of State’s Office, and the fact that newly elected Secretary Matt Schultz campaigned heavily on the issue.
“This bill is based on a false premise — stopping voter fraud. But where is the fraud?” asked Rep. Mary Gaskill (D-Ottumwa) during remarks to open debate on the bill. “Over 1.13 million Iowans voted in the last presidential election and there were zero cases of voter fraud. Zero. The truth is the bill before us today is a solution looking for a problem. Since 11 percent of all Americans do not have a government-issued photo ID, the bill before us will profoundly affect the voting rights of minorities, low income Iowans, older Iowans and person with disabilities.”
Lobbyist declarations on the bill show that organizations representing minority or other challenged populations agree with Gaskill’s assessment. At the time this report was filed, Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, AARP Iowa, the League of Women Voters of Iowa, the National Association of Social Workers – Iowa Chapter and the Iowa Conference of United Methodist Church have noted their displeasure with the proposed legislation.
“I don’t know who is at fault, but I can tell you that there was a voter on the list I received from the County Auditor’s Office that does not exist, who listed an address at the Marriott,” said Rep. Renee Schulte (R-Cedar Rapids), who floor managed the bill. “In this past election, that person got a vote and it counted.”
Schulte also said that, during the 2008 election for her office, there were 46 people who voted fraudulently. Although she provided the names of those individuals to the local county attorney, she said, none were prosecuted.
“First of all, the name of this bill should be changed. It should be called the ‘Voter Suppression Act,’” said Rep. Mary Mascher (D-Iowa City).
“Voting is a right … it is not a privilege. We should protect that right and make sure that it is equitable for all Iowans.”
Because the bill requires to show those vote at their polling place to provide a photo identification, but doesn’t make a similar requirement of those who vote by mail, the legislature would be creating an inequitable process that will challenged for its constitutionality.
“I do not respect your right to question [Republican] motives,” said Rep. Jeff Kauffmann (R-Wilton), sparking a brief outburst in the chamber.
“There is one thing as important as accessibly, and that is the integrity of the voter system. We believe this protects the integrity of the voter system.”
Elections have consequences, he said, and the fact that Schultz was elected as Secretary of State having campaigning heavily on this particular issue is proof that the bill is what the people want.
Debate is currently ongoing in the Iowa House.
Members of the Iowa House decided on a pure party-line vote, Republicans in favor and Democrats against, to send this bill on to the Senate for its consideration.
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