Governor Vilsack appoints three task forces to deal with minority issues

Governor Vilsack has appointed a task force to examine what he terms adisturbing problem in Iowa’s prison system. Vilsack says one-in-12 blackIowans are under court-order supervision or in prison, while just one-in-110white Iowans are in the same circumstance. Iowa’s numbers rank second justbehind the District of Columbia. He said this cannot continue if we are toprovide a value-added economy. Vilsack has appointed state RepresentativeWayne Ford — Iowa’s only black legislator — to head the task force.Also today, Vilsack created an equal opportunity in employment task force. Lieutenant Governor Sally Pederson says one goal is to recruit and retainmore minority workers within state government.And finally, the Governor appointed a task force on targeted smallbusinesses — those owned by women and minorities. Vilsack says it’s in thestate’s self-interest to be welcoming to and supportive of minorities.