Iowa CCI members tell Governor and legislators: No taxpayer flood bailout for factory farms
By Matt Ohloff, ICCI
Relief from devastating floods should address needs of everyday Iowans,
not factory farms
Tuesday,
June 24, 2008, Des Moines, Iowa – With the devastating floods all
across the state, the Iowa legislature recently announced it will form
an interim study committee to address the effects of the flood on
Iowa's livestock industry. Members of Iowa Citizens for Community
Improvement (Iowa CCI) are concerned that the study committee could
result in a massive multi-million dollar taxpayer bailout for the
factory farm industry. That's why CCI leaders sent a letter today to
Governor Culver, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, House Majority
Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Speaker Pat Murphy and Senate President
Jack Kibbie, telling them to respond to the everyday Iowans affected by
this crisis, not corporate ag and factory farms.
“It is
absolutely unacceptable for a multi-million dollar taxpayer bailout for
corporate-backed factory farms,” said CCI member Norma Hauck from
Livermore. “Everyday Iowans must be included in this process, and CCI
will make sure that the decisions that come from this committee will
serve the common good, not the fat cats of the factory farm industry.”
The
study committee will meet later in the summer. Iowa CCI will track the
livestock flood committee and make sure they don't cave in to powerful
corporate special interests that may try to take advantage of this
disaster.
“We need
our legislators and elected officials to make sure the needs of
everyday Iowans are taken care of – and not fork over taxpayer money to
bailout the factory farm industry and powerful special interests,” said
Iowa CCI member Brenda LaBlanc from Des Moines
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