‘Featured’ Archives

Legislation to protect pets and pet owners moves forward

Key legislators in the Iowa House and Senate today released legislation designed to better protect pets and pet owners from irresponsible pet breeders. A key provision will increase the number of state inspectors to respond to animal health and safety complaints involving USDA licensed facilities.

“This bill is compromise, but it is a good one,” said Lykam. “I’m hopeful that the 2010 session will mark the end of Iowa’s reputation for lax enforcement of pet breeding operations. We are on track to crack down on the bad actors in this industry and protect responsible breeders by making consumers can be confident that all companion animals raised in Iowa are healthy and safe.”

“The head of USDA’s inspectors told me last week that he didn’t have enough inspectors to get the job done,” said Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines. “We will solve that problem by modestly and responsibly raising fees on pet breeders-currently just $20 a year-to fund state inspectors from the Iowa Department of Agriculture. They will respond to complaints of animal mistreatment. If complaints are confirmed, the state can impose fines, require continuing education and, in the worse cases, remove animals from a facility.”

“Iowa currently just isn’t doing enough to protect the more than 20,000 dogs in Iowa’s breeding operations,” said Senator Joe Seng, a Davenport veterinarian who also co-chaired legislative interim committee on the issue. “When your state is home to the third largest dog breeding industry in the nation, you have a responsibility to ensure basic health and safety standards.”

The legislation, House Study Bill 604, appears set to move forward quickly. A House subcommittee on the bill was scheduled for Monday afternoon and it could clear a House committee on Tuesday. Many of Iowa’s neighboring states already provide state inspection of USDA licensed breeders, including Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska.

Seng and Representative Jim Lykam of Davenport chaired a 10-member interim study committee of both Democratic and Republican lawmakers. The committee unanimously recommended that state inspectors to begin inspecting federally licensed dog breeders in response to complaints.
The legislation will:
• Empower state agriculture inspectors to investigate complaints at Iowa’s federally licensed facilities.
• Increase penalties for unlicensed facilities and violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act
• Require continuing education for breeders with violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act.
• Require veterinarians to become mandatory reporters of animal abuse and neglect.
• Increase enforcement of uncollected sales tax on the sale of dogs and cats.
-end-

Tags: 2010 session, pets and pet owners
Category 2010 Session Information, Bill Summary, Featured, Public Safety |

Gov. Culver issues emergency proclamation for Carroll, Cass and Sac counties

Governor Culver issued an emergency proclamation for Carroll, Cass and Sac counties yesterday, January 21, 2010.  The proclamation allows state resources to be used in response to the ice storm that hit the area earlier this week. 

“The severe winter weather that hit our state this week has left many Iowans without power,” said Governor Culver.  “As Governor, I am committed to doing whatever we can to help get the power back on and help those affected.  While the storm may have moved on, the threat of power outages and downed power lines remains, and I urge Iowans to use caution.” 

The proclamation also allows the state to provide generators to Carroll, Lake View, Early and Dedham.  Cots and blankets will be provided to those affected in Lake View and Early and assistance through the Department of Corrections will be provided to Atlantic.

Tags: emergency proclamation, governor culver, ice, snow, weather
Category Events, Featured, Public Safety |

Scholarship for the Arts grant applications due Feb. 8

The Iowa Arts Council is reminding Iowa high school students that Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, is the deadline for applying for a 2010 Iowa Scholarship for the Arts.The scholarship is awarded to Iowa students who will graduate from an Iowa high school during the 2009-2010 academic year and plan to pursue a proven artistic ability in dance, literature, music, theater, traditional arts or visual arts at an Iowa college or university.

Each recipient will receive $1,000 to $2,000 toward his or her 2010-2011 college tuition and related expenses as a full-time undergraduate at a fully accredited Iowa college or university with a major in one or more of the disciplines considered for the award.

To be considered for the award, students must complete the scholarship application available at www.iowaartscouncil.org, write an essay about their future career goals in the arts and include two letters of recommendation.

Applications and attachments are due by 4:30 p.m., Monday, Feb. 8, 2010, in the Iowa Arts Council offices at 600 E. Locust Street, Des Moines, IA 50319. Incomplete, illegible, handwritten or faxed applications will not be accepted. Application review, criteria, approval and notification process information is available at www.iowaartscouncil.org. Please contact Sarah Ekstrand at 515-281-4657 or sarah.ekstrand@iowa.gov for more information.

Tags: scholarship
Category Education, Featured |

Veterans Day at the Capital

House Resolution 103 honoring Iowa’s military veterans was read and passed this morning, stating:

“On behalf of all Iowans the House of Representatives honors and commemorates the service and sacrifice of Iowa’s soldiers, airmen and airwomen, sailors, marines, and coast guard members and thanks them for their service to America.”

Tags: Iowa veterans, State Capitol
Category 2010 Session Information, Featured, Veterans |

Ethics Approves New Accountability Measures for Lobbyists, Special Interests

In a move to hold special interests and lobbyists accountable, the House Ethics Committee today approved a package of new requirements for lobbyists and special interest groups. Reforms include pre-registration of legislative receptions, requiring special interests to disclose the amount of money they spend on lobbying activities, and expanded powers for the House Ethics Committee.

“The reforms we approved today ensure we collect accurate, relevant data from groups that lobby the Legislature while increasing public access to the information. The bill also gives the Legislature new powers to enforce regulations on lobbyists and their clients who don’t comply with the law,” said State Representative Tyler Olson of Cedar Rapids.

House Study Bill 506 was approved on a 5-0 vote by the House Ethics Committee. The bill now goes to the House floor for debate.

Tags: ethics, ethics committee, lobbyists, reform, Tyler Olson
Category Budget, Featured |