The House water quality plan was approved last night by a vote of 65-33. Even though I was glad to see water quality finally discussed in the Iowa House, this plan will actually do very little to clean up our waterways. The truth is it is far short of meeting the $5 billion need that the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy program calls for.
I believe any plan we approve must have strong accountability measures and not divert money from other priorities in public education, health care and infrastructure. It’s also essential that water quality plans start at the watershed level to make the biggest impact.
I heard from constituents that felt RIIF (Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund) is vital for state infrastructure projects. Yet this bill approved will take $5 million this year and each additional year from RIIF. The bill will also divert an additional $4 million next year, and eventually about $20 million annually, from the state’s general fund, using some funds from SAVE and LOST (two funds that help support education).
I supported alternatives to the plan that would add more oversight and accountability as well as make sure any water quality projects funded through the program were based on sound science and reviewed by experts. Unfortunately, those ideas weren’t accepted by the House majority.
I have always been a strong supporter of the environment and improving our water quality. While I’m pleased to see water quality becoming a higher priority in the Legislature, it’s clear we’ve got more work to do to get meaningful results.
House File 2451 now goes to the Senate where it faces an uncertain future.
Link-http://wwwnytimes.com/2001/01/04/us/judge-finds-labor-law-broken-at-meat-packing-plant.html
Prestage Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Null, formerly employed by Smithfield (alleged to have ties to Prestage) was deemed “not a credible witness”…
With $5 billion dollars in clean-up proposed for the pollution factory farms have already made, mason city’s mayor & council are giving $67.8 million to one of the major polluters to locate another 2.5 million head of hogs in our backyards..
For what I believe to be $10 an hour jobs..
Think about it, folks..they say “$30-33,000 a year, including overtime, based on a 52 hour week average…” do some algebra, 12 hours of time and a half, plus 40 hours straight time..divide by 52..what do ya get??
NOT A GOOD JOB!!!
Iowa NUTRIENT = HOG CHIT ! You watch ! You will soon be paying for the clean up of the corporate hog farms/packing plants.
Yet she can’t come out on a position on the hog plant and the the possible water issues that could come from more confinements. Good one Sharon Count on you to have the citizens back.