Ice, melting snow rush into rivers
FORT DODGE: 'Icebergs' filling yards, causing flooding
DES MOINES: Raccoon River expected to crest today

By MEGHAN V. MALLOY and TOM ALEX
REGISTER STAFF WRITERS

Though Iowans around the state were relieved to have unseasonably warm sunny 
days after two blizzards whomped the state, another potential natural 
disaster loomed in the wake of the snow.

Flooding caused by ice jams was reported in several Iowa counties this week, 
placing at least nine - including Polk, Dallas and Webster counties - on 
flash flood watch.

http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/NEWS/703160387/-1/archive
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Johnston group aims to expand, refill Terra Lake
It wants to keep the 30-acre park natural instead of adding a skate park, 
soccer fields and playgrounds.

By JULI PROBASCO-SOWERS
REGISTER STAFF WRITER

The reedy call of redwing blackbirds sounded across the landscape around 
Terra Lake in Johnston. Glimpses of the birds with the bright red patches on 
each shoulder could be seen as they flitted between the marshy areas and the 
trees near the Crown Point Community Center that overlooks Terra Lake.

Two mallards flew low over the building, circled around and landed on the 
shallow patch of water, joining several Canada geese. The light of the 
late-day sun shown on the little areas of water still standing in the marshy 
area where the lake used to be.

http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/NEWS/703160333/-1/archive
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Dems struggling to fund farm programs
By PHILIP BRASHER
REGISTER WASHINGTON BUREAU

Washington, D.C. — Congressional Democrats are struggling to come up with 
money for bioenergy development, land conservation and other initiatives 
they want to make part of this year’s farm bill.

The problem stems from pay-as-they-go budgeting rules adopted this year that 
require spending increases to be offset with budget cuts or additional tax 
revenue.

http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070315/BUSINESS/70315039/1029/archive
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Jacobs: Energy bill needs work before it can truly assist Iowans

By LIBBY JACOBS
HOUSE DISTRICT 60

With the passage of last week's first funnel date for legislative action, 
we've narrowed down the number of bills that are still eligible for 
consideration and turned our focus to floor debate and less committee work. 
However, we still have significant committee time for appropriations and 
ways and means bills, plus other bills which are passed by the Senate and 
then come to the House for consideration.

One of the marquee pieces of legislation proposed by Gov. Chet Culver 
survived the funnel last week as it was passed out of the Commerce 
Committee. The Iowa Power Fund was created in House File 498. The bill, as 
passed by committee, varies greatly from the original bill proposed two 
weeks ago. The intent of the bill is to put in place programs and activities 
that will allow Iowa to be energy independent from foreign sources by 2025. 
The problem, however, is that the bill offers very few concrete suggestions 
on how to accomplish this, let alone how the proposed $25 million being 
appropriated to the fund will be spent.

http://dmregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070316/OPINION/703160346/1035/archive
---------------------

LTE:

Look closer at Taxpayers Union 'Big Oil' agenda

In response to Andrew Moylan's March 6 op-ed piece, "Dethroning 'Big Oil' to 
Crown 'Big Corn,' ":

"Big Corn" is the name given by overpaid oilmen to hard-working Iowa 
farmers. While oil has been making fortunes for a few families for many 
generations, corn is just now paying off for those families who have toiled 
for generations in the Iowa soil, making just enough to survive.

Moylan has a clear agenda, and it pays to be wary of organizations that 
masquerade as being in the best interest of taxpayers. According to 
mediatransparency.org, since 1991, his organization, the National Taxpayers 
Union, has received $980,000 from the Sarah Scaife Foundation, which is 
"financed by the Mellon industrial, oil and banking fortune. At one time, 
its largest single holding was stock in the Gulf Oil Corporation."

Further research shows that the bulk of his organization's funding comes 
from foundations with ties to right-wing industrial groups and miscellaneous 
donors in Texas.

Big Oil will continue to try to push public opinion by financing so-called 
experts to fuel cynicism and keep their grip on our country's energy. Don't 
fall for it - ethanol is the right fuel for our country and the right fuel 
for Iowa.

- Matt Codner,
Grinnell.

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