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.
Gov. Chet Culver will sign an executive order making an across-the-board reduction in state’s General Fund, a move expected to save Iowa $91.4 million, he announced this afternoon.
Only corrections officers and state troopers will remain unscathed, with layoffs likely and cuts affecting education and Medicaid.
“We are in the midst of an economic challenge that is historic in its scope,” Culver said, adding: “We are all facing this challenge together. And together, we must accept the reality and share in the sacrifice.”
The three-member Revenue Estimating Conference said last week that the state will have $99.5 million less in revenue than was projected in October.
Culver has already announced $77 million in cuts prior to today’s announcment.
In a joint statement, House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, and House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, praised Culver’s announcement.
Gov. Culver took appropriate action today. Given the national recession is deepening and having an impact on the state budget, there is no choice but to make mid-year budget corrections. These are challenging times. Iowa families are tightening their belts and the state must do the same. We will continue to work with Governor Culver and all House members in January to keep the state’s fiscal house in order.
Below are the figures released by Culver of the recent cuts and changes to the budget:
Announced Dec. 9
Freeze on Out-of-State Travel, Filling of Vacancies, and Equipment Purchases and savings from Judicial Branch, Legislature, and the Regents:
$28.0 millionTransfers from Alcoholic Beverages Division and Executive Council:
$12.0 millionDe-appropriation of New State Office Building:
$37.0 millionTotal: $77.0 million
Announced today
1.5 percent Across-the-Board Reduction:
$91.4 millionTransfer of Funds
$10.0 millionTotal: $101.4 million
Total Budget Savings: $178.4 million
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