A group opposed to what they call “hog factories” has filed an ethics complaint against a state Senator who works for a large-scale hog operation. Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement accuses Senator Mike Sexton of Rockwell City of a conflict of interest because he’s employed by Swine Graphics. Sexton recently sat-in on an Iowa Environmental Protection Commission meeting in which commissioners ruled on a fine against his firm. George Naylor of Churdan — a member of the group that filed the complaint — says Sexton’s presence was intimidation. Sexton says that wasn’t his intent. He says he doesn’t believe his presence was any type of signal.Sexton is also chairman of the Senate Natural Resources Committee, and Naylor says the senator has quashed legislation that would establish new regulations for hog farms. Naylor says Sexton has the power to keep bills from being considered.Sexton denies it, and says he’s now working on a bill that would put new, tougher rules in place for hog operations.
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