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Floods Draw Attention to Iowa's Waterways

The recent floods in Iowa have drawn attention to the fact that the state’s waterways are some of the most polluted in the nation. Iowa CCI members will focus their efforts to clean up Iowa's waters. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Flood Relief for Family Farmers

In response to the floods that have devastated homes and farms across Iowa, a coalition of the state’s farm and faith-based organizations is collecting donations with support from Farm Aid to provide emergency relief for farmers hardest hit by the floods, including farmers market vendors and other specialty crop producers. READ THE PRESS RELEASE 

John Nichols to Headline CCI July 18-19 Statewide Convention

John Nichols, pioneering political blogger and writer for The Nation magazine, will address how everyday Iowans can flex our electoral power this election season at CCI's statewide convention. READ THE PRESS RELEASE 

Victory! CCI Members Stop Factory Farm in Poweshiek County

CCI members in Poweshiek County have been fighting to stop a 7,488-head Prestage Farms hog factory from being built just south of Malcom. Prestage Farms recently withdrew their plans to build this site because of the strong opposition from CCI members in the area. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Livestock Industry Needs Overhaul
The Pew Commission released a report stating that the factory farm industry needs a major overhaul and called for local control over the siting of factory farms.
To read the Des Moines Register article highlighting the report, click here.

To read the Pew Commission report, click here.

The Union of Concerned Scientists released a similar study calling for stronger standards for the factory farm industry. To read the report, click here.

Flood Relief for Family Farmers

In response to the floods that have devastated homes and farms across Iowa, a coalition of the state’s farm and faith-based organizations is collecting donations with support from Farm Aid to provide emergency relief for farmers hardest hit by the floods, including farmers market vendors and other specialty crop producers. READ THE PRESS RELEASE 

Victory! CCI Members Stop Factory Farm in Poweshiek County

CCI members in Poweshiek County have been fighting to stop a 7,488-head Prestage Farms hog factory from being built just south of Malcom. Prestage Farms recently withdrew their plans to build this site because of the strong opposition from CCI members in the area. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

Livestock Industry Needs Overhaul
The Pew Commission released a report stating that the factory farm industry needs a major overhaul and called for local control over the siting of factory farms.
To read the Des Moines Register article highlighting the report, click here.

To read the Pew Commission report, click here.

The Union of Concerned Scientists released a similar study calling for stronger standards for the factory farm industry. To read the report, click here.

CCI files federal petition for clean water
On 9/20, CCI, Environmental Integrity Project, and the Sierra Club filed a federal petition to withdraw, asking the EPA to step in and enforce the Clean Water Act (CWA) in Iowa. The DNR has not issued permits to factory farms in accordance with the CWA, and CCI members are determined to stand up for clean water!
READ THE WALLACES FARMER ARTICLE
READ THE DM REGISTER ARTICLE
READ MORE FOLLOW-UP IN THE DM REGISTER
READ THE AP STORY (which appeared in several publications across the nation)

Cityview features CCI in legislative wrap-up
Barb Kalbach, CCI member and board president, was interviewed and featured in a May 10 Cityview article.
READ THE ARTICLE

Des Moines Register interviews CCI member on federal farm policy
George Naylor, CCI member, was featured in Michael Pollan's book, Omnivore's Dilemma. Naylor has spoken across the country and internationally about federal farm policy.
READ MORE HERE

DNR study shows factory farms are polluting our air
A Department of Natural Resources field study has revealed that factory farms are releasing high levels of ammonia. Since the study began in 2003, it has consistently recorded high levels of ammonia, far-above the safe health standard of 150 parts per billion (ppb) recommended in the 2002 University of Iowa/ Iowa State University air quality study. READ THE PRESS RELEASE

DNR Director calls for local control; criticizes current hog zoning laws
At an Hardin County Board of Supervisors meeting, Iowa DNR Director Jeff Vonk laid out the reasons why local control is necessary for the siting of new livestock operations.

Factory farm debate featured on Des Moines Register opinion page
On Aug. 21 the Des Moines Register ran opinion pieces from various Iowans on the topic of factory farms and rural quality of life. Two CCI members Ron Kielkopf and Chris Murphy's opinions are featured - both call for local control. In the piece, Governor Vilsack was also quoted urging Iowans to make this issue a top campaign issue this fall, "We need to ask candidates, both Republican and Democrat, if they are for clean air and clear water. This is a defining issue for the next generation of Iowa."

DNR Director publically criticizes legislators for not protecting rural residents
In the July 26 Des Moines Register, Iowa DNR Director Jeff Vonk publicly criticized state legislators for not protecting rural residents from the adverse effects of factory farms. Vonk points out that folks who live next to factory farms “lose value in their property, lose the constitutional right to freely enjoy the use of their property and potentially suffer adverse health impacts from emissions.”

The Des Moines Register renews call for local control
In a Sunday July 30 editorial the Des Moines Register renewed its call for local control, stating, "The clashes continue because political leaders have failed to balance the interests of agriculture with promoting recreation and other amenities…State lawmakers need to head off these conflicts: Give counties authority to zone for the livestock industry, just as they zone for other industries."

State panel passes Water Protection Rule
Iowans hail decision to curb factory farm pollution. The rule now moves to the legislature's Administrative Rules Review Committee.
READ THE PRESS RELEASE
READ 6/26/06 - AP STORY

CCI claims victory in Vilsack's veto of factory farm bills
Read CCI's Legislative session wrap-up READ MORE

CCI members stop a 5,000- head hog factory in Sac County
READ THE FULL STORY AND MORE ON OUR LOCAL CAMPAIGNS

Environmental commission votes to stop hog factory in Osceola County
10/19/05 - AP STORY IN SIOUX CITY JOURNAL

Two Des Moines Register editorials blasts Iowa for unsafe water
FULL STORY

CCI members say: "Don't deny access to farmers' market produce!"
CCI members tackle Department of Agriculture rule that touches farmers, seniors and mothers with young children. READ THE STORY

New report highlights need for strong factory farm regulations
The nonpartisan Iowa Policy Project issued a new report titled "Concentrating on Clean Water: The Challenge of Confined Animal Feeding Operations" that outlines specific recommendations for regulations and enforcement needed to protect Iowa's water. READ MORE

Iowa CCI rural work featured by Catholic Campaign for Human Development
CCHD is a national organization that helps fund community groups across the U.S. that are working to empower grassroots people and win social, economic and environmental justice. LINK TO THE ARTICLE ON CCHD'S WEBSITE

Des Moines Register features CCI homebuying classes
Johnetta Levell and Jerri Scott are featured in this great article about subprime mortgages and CCI's homebuying class.
READ THE 3/24/07 DES MOINES REGISTER ARTICLE

New York Attorney General requests Wells Fargo data
New York Attorney General Elliot Spitzer has requested information from Wells Fargo and other national banks on the way they price thier home laons. CCI's Fair Lending Task Force is planning to meet with Wells Fargo in hopes of getting them to increase their lending in low and moderate income neighborhoods. Since an article ran in the Des Moines Register, CCI has received several phone calls from Wells Fargo customers who believe they were misled by them. If you know anyone who has complained about Wells Fargo, please have them contact CCI, 515/255-0800.

Jump-Starting Financial Lives
CCI's Right Choice Auto Loan Program featured in the Des Moines Business Record READ THE STORY

Tax Return Time! -Some helpful hints to help you make the most of your return
READ MORE

Iowa Attorney General files consumer fraud lawsuit against Dan Nelson Automotive Group
IOWA ATTORNEY GENERAL'S PRESS RELEASE (with link to the lawsuit)

More U.S. Home Buyers Fall Prey to Predatory Lending
This is a link to a great article in USA Today highlighting the issue of predatory mortgage lending. 12/6/04 - USA TODAY ARTICLE

CCI's Right Choice commercial wins award
READ MORE

Right Choice Auto Loan Program saves Des Moines area families money
CCI is helping families get into good cars at fair interest rates from a reputable lender. READ MORE

CCI members meet with Lt. Governor Patty Judge
On Thursday, March 22, members of CCI's Latinos en Accion met with Lt. Governor Patty Judge and Governor Culver's chief policy analyst, Bob Mulqueen. Members shared their experiences and how the raid has affected Marshalltown. This was part of an ongoing effort to effect fair immigration reform.
READ MORE HERE

CCI and OSHA sign landmark partnership agreement
READ PRESS RELEASE

Member address concerns of racial profiling by Polk County deputy
READ MORE

Latinos en Acción de CCI member win local victories
READ HOW MEMBERS ARE WORKING FOR SOCCER FIELDS
READ HOW MEMBERS STOPPED INFLATED BILLING

CCI members met with Police Chief McCarthy & Congressional Aides
CCI members and community leaders discuss how the driver's liscense issue affects us all and McCarthy urges both Senators to support this issue. READ MORE

Des Moines Cityview feature article on abandoned housing
Article takes a good look of the issue of abandoned housing in our neighborhoods, with interviews from Des Moines CCI member Dawn Jorgensen and Des Moines CCI Director Sharon Zander Ackiss. 8/4/05 - CITYVIEW ARTICLE

Neighbors winning improvements!
Des Moines members discuss vacant housing issues with city leaders
More than 70 residents turn out to discuss abandoned housing with Mayor Cownie, Councilman Vlassis and the city housing inspector. FULL STORY

Weighing in - Cityview features CCI in legislative wrap-up
Barb Kalbach, CCI member and board president, was interviewed and featured in a May 10 Cityview article.
READ THE ARTICLE 

VOICE press conference in the news
READ THE AP ARTICLE
READ THE GAZETTE ARTICLE

"Votes for Sale?" Cityview features CCI's Voter-Owned campaign
READ THE 10/26/06 CITYVIEW ARTICLE

Phase II of CCI's "Money and Elections in Iowa" study is complete!
FULL STORY

Visit our website dedicated to Voter Owned Elections
Keep up-to-date with news on our campaign for a Voter-Owned Elections system in Iowa and news on campaign finance reform from across the country.
www.voterownediowa.org/news.htm