Thanks to all of you who responded to last week's
update kicking off I'M for Iowa.  It seems we've tapped a niche that
needs filling, judging by the wealth of commentary we received.

At
the Iowa Statehouse, debate on a number of key issues is off and
running . . . well, off and crawling better describes the pace.  Some
key Democratic leaders don't seem to get it.  Democrats were elected
with a mandate to take bold, visionary steps – not halting, baby steps.
 Among other issues, the vast majority of Iowans want voluntary public
financing of elections, health care reform, and local control over hog
confinements.  If Democrats fail to deliver on expectations for
significant reform, voters may opt not to give them another chance at
leading the state in 2008.

This week's debate over raising the
minimum wage is a case in point.  Too many Iowans work low-wage jobs
without benefits.  Some are forced to work more than one low-wage job.
 An increase in the minimum wage is long overdue.  While a majority of
Democrats in the Iowa Senate understand the importance of indexing any
minimum wage increase, the bill that passed out of a House committee
this week fails to tie future wage levels to cost-of-living
adjustments.  (It should be noted that many House Democrats support the
Senate position.)  Without indexing, increasing the minimum wage to
$7.25 an hour will have only a very short term effect.  In fact, it
will become meaningless in a couple of years once the minimum wage bill
moving through Congress is enacted.

I have similar concerns
about campaign finance reform.  A voluntary public-financing bill – or
Voter-Owned Clean Elections initiative – has been introduced by
Representative Pam Jochum.  It has significant legislative backing,
broad public support, and a track record of success in several other
states.  Yet key Democratic leaders in the House are quietly
threatening to kill the bill.

It's up to us to demand that
this and other critical reforms receive the support they deserve.  The
public has an opportunity to weigh in on clean elections on Monday,
January 29th.  A day of action in support of Jochum's bill is planned
by a coalition of citizens' groups, and former U.S. Congressman Berkley
Bedell will spearhead a rally at noon at the Statehouse.  Let me know
if you're interested in participating, and I'll send you further
details of the day's activities as they come together.

Thanks again for your concern for Iowa's future!

Ed Fallon