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.
Legislation that would end a universal, state-funded preschool program and replace it with a voucher system was passed by the Iowa House Tuesday on a 55-45 vote.
Republicans Josh Byrnes of Osage, Bob Hager of Dorchester, Jarad Klein of Keota, Brian Moore of Zwingle and Ralph Watts of Adel joined with all 40 Democrats in opposing the measure.
The bill, House File 535, cuts state spending for preschool for 4-year-olds to $33 million annually, down from an estimated $70 million to $90 million, depending upon participation, under the current universal preschool plan. Parents’ share of preschool costs under the proposed plan would range from the full $2,290 to as little as $23 per student for Iowa’s poorest families.
Democrats have roundly rejected the proposal, saying it puts early childhood education out of the financial reach of middle-income Iowans.
“House Republicans are putting up more obstacles for parents who want to make sure their kids get the best education possible instead of providing new jobs and opportunities for middle class families,” said state Rep. Nate Willems (D-Lisbon). “Dismantling Iowa’s statewide preschool initiative for 20,000 four year olds will reduce access to both public and private preschools for all families while giving parents no guarantee of even having a teacher with a degree in early childhood education.”
Republicans argued that the funding is not sustainable, saying the program’s cost will grow to more than $100 million a year by 2012.
“Iowans understand that the current preschool program is on an unsustainable autopilot course,” said state Rep. Greg Forristall (R-Macedonia).
By the 2010-11 school year, 325 of Iowa’s 361 school districts had received funding from the state and were participating in the program either with school district preschool programs or by passing funds on to participating community preschools. Enrollment in public programs has expanded from 8,255 in 263 districts in 2006-07, to 19,799 in the 325 districts this year. The program provides all Iowa 4-year-olds with up to 10 hours per week of preschool instruction with a licensed teacher.
The bill now moves to the Iowa Senate, where Democrats hold a 26-24 majority.
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