12 Comments

Thank you, Laura, for continuing to shine a light in ever dark Iowa legislature. It seems as though our Republican representatives believe they are elected to form a road block to important legislation and anything that might help the people of Iowa. It is disheartening. I will hold some hope in the fact that the democrats are calling this behavior out and maintaining a focus on change.

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Feb 11Liked by Laura Belin

As a Native of Iowa and a new farm owner moving back to the State, I grew up believing that Iowa’s Soil and Water were its two greatest resources. The strong Iowa work ethic was what transformed these Resources into a living for Iowa Families.

It would seem that accepting influence from Corporate Sources has become the newest means of achieving prosperity in this State. I find this very disturbing that those on that path are willing to trade Iowa’s two most important Resources for a slow decent into ruin

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Feb 11Liked by Laura Belin

In 2921 the Iowa Department of Natural Resources reported that "“Iowa has no greenhouse gas reduction goals, for agriculture or any other sector.”* If this continues to be a fact, I urge the Committee to hold public hearings so Iowans can suggest GHG reduction goals and explain their reasoning.

*IA.GHGs.DNR.2021.pdf. The DNR quote is cited in https://energynews.us/2023/02/16/despite-national-goals-agricultural-greenhouse-gas-emissions-continue-unchecked/, produced by the Mississippi River Basin Ag & Water Desk, an editorially independent reporting network based at the University of Missouri School of Journalism in partnership with Report For America and the Society of Environmental Journalist.

Robert Traer, a Climate Ambassador for Iowa City

To visit my environmental website, go to https://rtraer.com/eco-choices

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author

That's right, the current administration in Iowa has never embraced greenhouse gas reduction goals. I think that was one supposed reason the state didn't apply for EPA planning funds available through the Inflation Reduction Act (one of just a handful of states not to do so).

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Feb 11Liked by Laura Belin

Thanks for this article. You would think that Iowa’s poor water quality would the number one project for our legislators to tackle, but very few of them are willing to take on Big Ag. This includes Dems.

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Feb 11Liked by Laura Belin

Thank you, Laura. Now it's up to those of us who are dismayed by this to spread the word beyond your readership. We can also thank those committee members who spoke up, and....help to get out the vote.

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Feb 11Liked by Laura Belin

That’s my House Rep. He is incapable of hearing anything people say whether it is environmental, education related or an LGBTQ+ concern. But….he is Board President of a new Christian school he dreamed up in our community. When fully implemented it could pull in $900,000 a year from ESAs. Reynolds endorsed him because of that over a primary contender, he voted for the ESAs and now he is benefitting from them. Grateful for this coverage Laura.

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Feb 11Liked by Laura Belin

Looking for Liz Mathis comments.

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author

She's not in the legislature anymore.

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I find this all very upsetting. What can be done proactively, Laura?

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author

I wish I knew. The majority party controls the agenda in all the committees.

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I have been reading about this since the Iowa Professor that managed the water testing from Univ. Of Ia. ? was run out.

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