Ed Fallon's 'I'm for Iowa' newsletter for Feb. 26

[rurallib]

I like to share Ed's thoughts. If you want me to stop say so. Not sure if anyone else gets his email.
BTW - Ed celebrates his 50th birthday this Saturday (March 1). Some of you around Des Moines may want to join in his rather strenuous celebration. Details here:
http://www.fallonforcongress.com/events/index.asp?eventID=16

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Dear Friends,

I want to share with you what I’m hearing about some of the environmental happenings at the Iowa Statehouse this year. First . . .

EMINENT DOMAIN
Eminent domain has its legitimate applications. Yet despite strong legislation passed in 2006 to curb its abuse, developers and their elected allies have targeted over 10,000 acres across Iowa for condemnation. Supporters of further strengthening the law will hold a press conference on February 25, at 11:00 a.m. at the State Capitol. I’m one of the speakers in what organizers hope will be a bipartisan event. Please come. I’M for Iowa will keep you posted about legislation on eminent domain as it is introduced.

BOTTLE BILL
Governor Culver deserves a big pat on the back for proposing reforms to Iowa’s bottle bill law. House and Senate leaders, on the other hand, need to hear how disappointed we are that they refuse to even schedule debate on changes most Iowans support. Not only is revamping the bottle bill good for the environment, the increase from 5 to 10 cents is needed to save jobs in the redemption industry. A few years back, there were over 1,000 jobs statewide at bottle and can redemption centers. These centers haven’t had a wage increase since 1974, when the bottle bill was first enacted. If the State Legislature can ram through big subsidy packages for Microsoft and Google, they can surely help the redemption centers.

HOGS
A bill was proposed this week by House Ag Committee Chair, Dolores Mertz. Predictably, it’s a bad bill. It requires ISU to conduct research into odor mitigation efforts for livestock operations. Sorry, but this research has already been done. And even if someone finds a way to cover-up the smell of intense concentrations of hog manure, that still won’t mitigate the health risks. What this bill is about is an effort to create a distraction and avoid real solutions, including local control and a moratorium.

ENVIRONMENTAL ALERTS
The Iowa Environmental Council has kicked-off a new look for its action alerts that organizers hope will make it easier for people to take initiative on key environmental legislation. You can sign-up at http://capwiz.com/iaenvironment/home/.
Thanks for taking the time to read, and please let state lawmakers and the Governor know how you feel. I guarantee you, they are certainly hearing a lot from lobbyists opposed to cleaning-up our environment.

Ed Fallon

P.S. There’s a great article in the Des Moines Register today about the influence of special interests and lobbyists. You can read about it at: http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/NEWS10/802230324

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[Vet31203]

1. Thanks for the post

I like to hear about Fallon. Really hope he has what it takes to take it to the Bos.

William J Meyers for House 2008

[4dsc]

2. Note from the Fallon contributors

http://www.fallonforcongress.com/blog/index.asp?blogID=9

Today, Democratic candidate Ed Fallon announced that in the six weeks since he launched his candidacy for Congress, his campaign has already received donations from 1,652 donors – over ten times the number of individual donors last year to his opponent, Rep. Leonard Boswell. As of today, the Fallon campaign has raised $122,444.95, which is an average of $74.18 per donor.

“I’m thrilled with the solid grassroots support our campaign is receiving,” Fallon said. “It’s a stark contrast to the Boswell campaign, which is mostly financed by PACs.” Fallon, who has never accepted contributions from PACs or lobbyists, stressed that all of his donations come from individuals.

Fallon noted that over $35,000 has been donated by individual members of Democracy for America, one of the progressive groups that supported Donna Edwards’ successful campaign against a Democratic incumbent in Maryland’s 4th district earlier this month. After the Fallon campaign announced the first $20,000 from individual DFA members, the Boswell campaign circulated a false charge that Fallon was taking money from PACs. DFA promptly refuted the accusation and issued a second call of support for Fallon, which has brought in an additional $15,000 thus far.

Federal Election Commission reports for last year indicate that Boswell received 332 contributions from PACs totaling $534,570, but only 164 individual contributions (which includes lobbyists) totaling $184,899. The average individual contribution to Boswell was $1,127.43.

[Vet31203]

3. I hope Fallon can win

Im in the fourth, but the results of this campaign effect everyone, with redistricting coming up, and the Gubenatorial races, not to mention A senate seat in 2010, sure will be an awesome mid-term, any predictions?

William J Meyers for House 2008

[Venecianlady]

4. Fallon is ok

I don't like him or hate him.