Iowa Politics News

Meet Francis Thicke - Progressive Democrat for Iowa Agriculture Secretary

 by Jay Mattsson

I’ve known Francis Thicke and his wife, Susan, for over 30 years, and I can testify that he is the real deal. Francis is running for Agriculture Secretary because he has a sincere impulse to engage in public service for the sake of improving Iowa.  Interviewing Francis gave me a chance to experience his brilliant grasp of complex, pressing issues.  Francis has the best mix of qualifications, knowledge and experience that I could hope for in a progressive Democrat seeking to be Iowa’s Agriculture Secretary. I’ve come away from this interview convinced that he’s a viable candidate who has the integrity, humility and wisdom this state needs.

Iowa Federation of Labor Endorses Kirsten Running-Marquardt
in House District 33 Special Election

by Tracy Kurowski

For nine years, House District 33 was represented by Dick Taylor, a former IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) member, who announced his retirement in early October, triggering a Special Election to be held Tuesday, November 24. District 33, which typically elects Democrats, includes 11 precincts primarily on the city’s southwest side of Cedar Rapids.

The Iowa Federation of Labor (IFL) has given Representative Dick Taylor a near-perfect lifetime voting record on behalf of working family issues.  It is a loss for the district and for labor, but we wish him and his family the best in his retirement.

Searching for Iowa's Agricultural History

by Cathy Lafrenz

I am a farmer.  Plain ... simple.... a farmer.  I grow food.

And I am bothered by the fact that we as Iowans, know more about our I-phones and our cars than we do about the food we eat.  Most of you can tell me every app your phone can do...... but know nothing about where your meat comes from.  We know what type of leather is on the seat of our SUV's but have no idea about the pesticides on our vegetables.  We don't know how the vegetables are raised or when they are harvested.

New Report: Pollution Up 35% in Iowa since 1990
EnvironmentIowa.org

Environment Iowa will release a new analysis of government data today on trends in carbon dioxide from fossil fuel consumption in Iowa and nationally from 1990 to 2007.  This is the first time the 2006 and 2007 state data have been released.  The report comes as Congress moves to consider a major energy and global warming bill and as EPA considers the first-ever federal rules to cut global warming pollution from tailpipes and smokestacks, the two biggest culprits.

When:  10 am, Thursday, November 12, 2009

Where:  Kouba Building, 1014 Third St. SE, Cedar Rapids

Environment Iowa is a state-based, citizen-funded environmental organization working for clean air, clean water, and open space.

3209 Ingersoll Ave., Ste. 210 • Des Moines, IA 50312
Phone (515) 243-5835 • Fax (515) 282-4196     E-mail