This Week On The Fallon Forum:  IOWA FOR SALE

Dear Friends,

When I served in the State Legislature in the 1990s during Terry Branstad's first reign, I was impressed with how little the man was able to accomplish. In fairness, the Governor's crammed schedule of constant campaigning left him little time to actually govern. Corporate Republicans in the House and the handful of corporate Democrats in charge of the Senate ran the show; Branstad merely applauded and signed bills.

Fast forward to the 21st century and I find myself missing the laissez-faire Branstad of his earlier dynasty. The new Branstad has taken a keen interest in governing, or more accurately, de-governing. He is actively working to turn-over to corporate interests as much of state government as possible. This week on the Fallon Forum, we'll talk about several of the more egregious ways in which Governor Branstad is putting Iowa up for sale.

Monday, we discuss efforts to end the DNR's role in managing Iowa's water quality programs. Branstad wants to turn the programs over to the Department of Agriculture, where his corporate ag buddies have much more influence and where those of us who drink for a living won't even have a seat at the table.

Tuesday, we'll get the latest on legislation billing us for MidAmerican Energy's new nuclear power plant, legislation which also limits our input through the Iowa Utilities Board and Office of Consumer Advocate. We'll also get an update on eminent domain: is the Legislature likely to make it harder or easier for the rich and powerful to take farmers' land for private development?

The first half of Wednesday's show, mercifully, has nothing to do with selling-off Iowa. Irish singer, songwriter and activist Tommy Sands joins us in advance of the world premiere of “Heaven and Earth: Mass on the Celtic Journey” this coming Saturday. See our events calendar, and if you want to meet Tommy in person tonight, shoot me a quick e-mail and I'll send you the details.

Also Wednesday, we'll discuss Branstad's efforts to privatize economic development. Since most of the Department of Economic Development's programs are already hopelessly dominated by big-business interests, I'm really not sure what Branstad is trying to accomplish.

Also Wednesday, Angela Clark gives us an update on this weekend's Natural Living Expo.

Thursday, State Representative Dan Kelley (D-Newton) joins us for an inside look at the week at the Statehouse. I'm never sure where our conversation with Dan will go, but I'm very much interested in discussing Branstad's draconian ideas on de-regulating nursing homes.

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Thanks!
Ed Fallon