• Home
  • News
    • Politics & Government
    • Business & Economy
    • Crime / Courts
    • Health / Medicine
  • Sports
    • High School Sports
    • Radio Iowa Poll
  • Affiliates
    • Affiliate Support Page
  • Contact Us
    • Reporters

Radio Iowa

Iowa's Radio News Network

You are here: Home / Agriculture / Key senator “disappointed” in Farm Bureau’s action

Key senator “disappointed” in Farm Bureau’s action

October 22, 2010 By O. Kay Henderson

A key lawmaker says he’s disappointed by the Iowa Farm Bureau’s opposition to a constitutional amendment on this fall’s ballot.

The amendment would reserve a little less than half of the next one-percent increase in the state sales tax for land and water conservation projects.  Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says the Farm Bureau did not register its opposition to the idea when it was considered by legislators over the past four years.

“I’m disappointed,” Gronstal says. “We passed this through the legislature and they did not express opposition to it and we actually worked with them this year on setting out a framework on how those dollars would be spent. We worked with the Farm Bureau on that, got their cooperation, and then they came out against it.” 

 Two separate sessions of the Iowa General Assembly — the state legislature — endorsed the concept of a “Water and Land Legacy” amendment to the state constitution, putting the matter before voters this fall.  House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha plans to vote for the amendment this November. He is among those who supported it during the legislative process, too.

“I’ve already voted twice for it,” Paulsen says. “I don’t have any expectation right now of changing that.” 

Paulsen and Gronstal made their comments Friday during an appearance on Iowa Public Television.  Paulsen was asked if he’s surprised by the Farm Bureau’s opposition. “I’m not surprised or I’m not un-surprised,” Paulsen joked, prompting laughter from others on the program.

A spokesman for the Iowa Farm Bureau has said the organization’s biggest concern is passage of the amendment will increase pressure on lawmakers to increase the state sales tax, since the funding reserved for land and water conservation projects would not be available until the sales tax is raised.

The Farm Bureau is running ads, urging Iowans to vote against the amendment.  A group pushing for the amendment’s passage is running a radio ad which features a Farm Bureau member who supports the amendment.

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Filed Under: Agriculture, Outdoors, Politics / Govt, Weather Tagged With: Democratic Party, Department of Natural Resources, Hunting & Fishing, Legislature, Republican Party

Featured Stories

Speakers at trooper’s funeral describe Sgt. Smith as selfless, man of faith

Iowa unlikely to join 26 states with hands-free driving laws

Reynolds says Johnson & Johnson vaccine pause manageable

Iowa State Patrol tactical team leader killed in Grundy Center stand-off

Finalists chosen for the state’s top burger

TwitterFacebook
Tweets by RadioIowa

Hawkeyes add post player

UNI’s Warren agrees to contract extension

Iowa State signs Kansas transfer

Drake elevates Pohlman to head women’s basketball coach

New title sponsor for Des Moines Marathon

More Sports

eNews and Updates

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Archives

Copyright © 2021 · Learfield News & Ag, LLC