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 National Organization for Marriage continues to make independent expenditures on behalf of Republican Cindy Golding in a special election race for the Iowa Senate.
The group spent $9,757 on Nov. 1 for a direct mailing for Golding in Senate District 18. NOM also spent $9,847 on Oct. 27 and $8,009 on Oct. 18 for direct mailings.
On Oct. 20 the group spent $252 for a press release, and on Oct. 21 spent $1,539 for robocalls to 23,683 voters.
Social conservative group The Family Leader has also made expenditures on behalf of Golding, totaling $100.
The race is perceived as crucial for advocates and opponents of marriage rights for same-sex couples. Democrats currently control the Iowa Senate, 25 to 24, after Sen. Swati Dandekar (D-Marion) resigned to take a position on the Iowa Utilities Board. With the Iowa House controlled 60-40 by Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal has been the key bulwark to stopping debates on the issue.
The Iowa Supreme Court ruled unanimously in 2009 that the Iowa Constitution’s equal protection clause was violated by a legislative ban on same-sex marriage.
No independent expenditures have yet been made on behalf of Democrat Liz Mathis.
The election will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 8.
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