Iowans shouldn't have to wonder

Iowa Campaign Ethics & Disclosure Board to meet on our conflict of interest complaint

 Brent Rastetter is the owner CEO of Quality Ag, Inc- a factory farm construction firm that rakes in $5-10 million a year in profits building factory farms around the state. Rastetter is also Governor Terry Branstad's newest appointee to the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC) - the Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) citizen oversight board.

EPC commissioners have a duty to stand up for clean air and water and crack down on factory farm polluters. Having Rastetter sit on the EPC diminishes public trust in the EPC and DNR and creates the appearance of unethical conduct.

That's why in August, CCI members filed an ethics complaint with the Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board against commissioner Rastetter. As citizens, we shouldn't have to wonder if he's protecting our environment or his own bottom line.

Tomorrow (November 10, 2011), the Iowa Ethics Board will make a decision on our complaint and whether to move forward with an investigation on Rastetter.

• Take Action today!• Join us for the meeting Thursday - meet us at 10:30 am at the CCI office (2001 Forest Ave, Des Moines) and we will head down to the meeting at Noon (Iowa Ethics & Campaign Disclosure Board office, 510 East 12th, Suite 1A, Des Moines) They will have time for public comments at the meeting.

• Make a comment to Ethics Board director Megan Tooker-she will make a recommendation to the board about our complaint.

• Thanks for all that you do. We'll keep you updated as this moves forward.