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