Eric, Larry, and all:

Some quick responses from a now-former legislator:

First, thanks, Larry, and any other Republicans who believe that
conservation and environmental protection should be bipartisan concerns.
Teddy Roosevelt, the most ardent, outspoken, and effective conservationist
to serve as President, was of course a Republican.  He endowed the
Republican Party with an environmental image that inhered for at least two
generations.  I hope you'll continue speaking boldly and publicly in defense
of conserving and enhancing our natural common wealth.

The Democrats' economic agenda does indeed ignore the environment.  The
glory days of the '80s and early '90s, when Johnson, Osterberg, Rosenberg,
Schrader, Shoultz, Avenson, et al, created so much visionary legislation
with such widespread public support, are a decade gone.  Nowadays Myers and
the Democratic caucus leaders (who draw up the agenda) read the polls.  The
polls tell them that Iowans don't rank the environment among their "top
tier" concerns anymore.  The polls have been telling the Republicans the
same thing for several years.  Both parties lay out tens of thousands of
bucks polling.  So does Tom Vilsack. You get the picture, don't you?

There are good environment-minded folks in the legislature, from moderate
pragmatists like Chuck Gipp to Rob Hogg.  The ranks, however, are declining,
and people like Sandy Greiner are retaking positions of power.

Specifically, I'd bet that REAP stays where it is now, with only enough
funding to meet the property tax obligations.  Chris Rants, Stu Iverson, and
others see REAP as a Democratic program.  They can't kill it outright, but
they won't object if it should somehow wither and quietly fade from the
public mind.  The Republicans would in turn like to see their alternative
CAT (community attractions and tourism) program gradually supplant REAP in
public interest and affection.  CAT is overtly political--community
recreational pork.  The demise of REAP and rise of CAT would please the Farm
Bureau.

Don't look for a good bottle bill.  Jeff Elgin is now chairing State
Government.  He's loudly opposed to the current bottle bill.  Look for him
to move a  simpler, more "comprehensible" version of the bill that Bartz and
Brunkhorst trotted out a couple of years ago.  (The nickel deposit becomes a
tax to support county-wide, "comprehensive" recycling programs, along the
lines of the Carroll County prototype.)

Don't look for any increases to DNR, either.  Be grateful that Vilsack
reappointed Jeff Vonk, and please support his reconfirmation in the Senate.

CAFOs?  We got the best bill we could, with Iverson & Co running scared.
Now that the heat's off, Iverson, Rehberg, Zieman, Sheurer, and other
senators are talking about "fixing" what was passed last year.  On the House
side, Jack Drake has replace Ralph Klemme as Ag Chair.  During last year's
"12 Apostles" sessions, Klemme refused to let Farm Bureau write the bill
behind closed doors:  he insisted that everything be worked out by the
committee, with no "fait accompli" by FB.  Were Klemme still chairing Ag, I
believe he'd uphold our work.  Drake doesn't see things that way, so be
prepared...  Keep the Governor's feet to the fire on this one, too.

OK, gotta get to my day job.

Bill



-----Original Message-----
From:   Iowa Discussion, Alerts and Announcements
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Eric G. Hurley
Sent:   Monday, January 06, 2003 9:10 AM
To:     [log in to unmask]
Subject:        Re: The Democrats Economic Agenda in the Iowa Legislature

Larry or other Republicans on this list,

Perhaps you have connections within the Republican party that you can check
to
see if they have a similar summary of their initiatives. I'd be very
interested
to see what the Republican leadership (and Democrats too) in the state
legislature plans to do about environmental issues in Iowa (i.e. the bottle
bill, REAP funding, DNR staffing levels/funding, soil conservation, water
quality, local control of CAFOs, etc.). What is in the Republican state
platform? Sierra Club is non-partisan, so you are right we should consider
the
positions of each party. But this list relies on the work of each of us
sharing
what we know or can dig up.

I grew up in an era when protecting the environment was not a partisan
issue. I
believe that it should fit into both idealogies. In the past 25 years,
however,
it seems like the Republican party has provided far less leadership and
votes
on pro-environmental legislation than the Democrats.

Eric G. Hurley
Ames, IA

> Debbie,
>
> I am a relatively new member of the Sierra Club and have enjoyed reading
the
> newsletter and articles involving environmental issues and protecting our
> natural resources.  I appreciate you and your team's efforts in gathering
> this information and getting these articles to us via email.
>
> This article is a bit of surprise.  There is little if any information on
> Sierra type issues and it seems a bit one sided.  Will you be presenting
the
> Republican viewpoint in a subsequent article?  You see I am probably a
rare
> breed for you as I am a strong Republican that is a strong believer in
> protecting our environment as a member of the Sierra club.  Many of the
> points outlined in this political agenda are helpful to our state, but
there
> is an opposite side to any coin.  I was just curious to see if we are
going
> to present that other side of coin viewpoint.
>
> Thank you for your time,
> Larry Lubinus
>
>
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Debbie Neustadt [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> Sent: Monday, January 06, 2003 6:43 AM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: The Democrats Economice Agenda in the Iowa Legislature
>
>
> Legis.News -- Inside the Iowa Legislature, January 3, 2003
> By House Democratic Leader Dick Myers
>
> MORE TOUGH DECISIONS AWAIT 2003 SESSION
>
> The 2003 legislative session will kickoff on Monday, January 13. Once
> again, due to the
> sluggish economy, the state budget will be extremely tight. Budget
> issues will no doubt
> command most of the headlines from now until adjournment in April.
>
> This will make the third consecutive year of very tough budgeting. In
> the past two years,
> we have slashed state spending significantly. Today, state government in
> Iowa is spending
> LESS than it did four years ago.
>
> At the same time, thanks to Governor Vilsack's leadership, we have been
> able to improve
> public schools by reducing class sizes and improving teacher pay. It is
> a matter of
> establishing priorities and sticking by them.
>
> In difficult budget times, it is crucial to maintain focus on
> priorities. In 2003, House
> Democrats will continue to concentrate on three major areas:
>
> Managing and balancing the state budget.
> Improving the economic security of Iowans today.
> Modernizing Iowa and providing economic growth for our children's
> future.
>
> We cannot let ourselves be sidetracked from these goals. Any diversion
> from these
> priorities would be a waste of our time and taxpayers' money.
>
> I am pleased to hear the public declarations of cooperation coming from
> the Governor and
> Republican leaders. We serve the public well when we work collectively,
> and this year will
> require our best efforts.
>
> *************************************************************
> THE DEMOCRATIC AGENDA FOR 2003
>
> Democrats will introduce specific legislation this year to further our
> plan to protect
> Iowans' economic security and foster modernization and growth for the
> future.
>
> Our Democratic agenda includes:
>
> * Making income tax rates more competitive and simplifying tax forms.
> * Taking commercial advantage of university research.
> * Lowering prescription drug costs for seniors.
> * Incorporating character education into all public school curricula.
> * Continuing class-size reductions in elementary grades.
> * Proving insurance parity for mentally illness.
> * Raising the state's minimum wage.
> * Protecting the privacy of Iowans' medical and financial records.
>
> Democrats intend to work from day one to develop and enact this agenda.
> We look forward to
> working with Governor Vilsack and majority Republicans to that end.
>
> *************************************************************
> CONTACT INFORMATION
>
> For more information and news from the Iowa House of Representatives,
> visit our website at
> <www.iowahouse.org> or call (515) 281-3521.
>

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