Kresowik: We Need ACES and Truth from Critics

From University of Iowa Student President and current Sierra Club staffer Mark Kresowik:

Friends, tomorrow a remarkable bill will be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives. It's called the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES), was drafted by Congressmen Waxman and Markey, with some excellent work by our own Congressman Braley, and would be the first time our U.S. Congress made a serious effort to deal with global warming. I wasn't going to write anything until after the vote, but the misrepresentations being spouted by MidAmerican Energy in Iowa, and then the RNCC and electric cooperatives going after Congressman Braley this week, really got to me.

I have put a lot of time into analyzing the bill and the modeling done by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Congressional Budget Office. I have tracked this bill from its draft form through committee and now tomorrow, to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

I can tell you that MidAmerican, Iowa's electric cooperatives, and the GOP are full of crap. And then Congressman Boswell bought their nonsense hook, line, and sinker. So we need to contact our Congressional officials and make sure they know we're not buying what MidAm is trying to sell, and that the ACES bill needs to go forward to the Senate.

Congressman Loebsack's number - (202) 225-6576
Thank Congressman Braley for his hard work - (202) 225-2911
Congressman Boswell's number - : (202) 225-3806

First, MidAmerican and Iowa's other utilities had the very stupid idea to build a very dirty coal plant in Council Bluffs a few years ago. Their bad management decisions shouldn't be taken out on this legislation or ratepayers. They may want to whine about it, but they should bear some of the cost of their bad decisions (sound familiar?).

Second, this bill is not going to cause the rate increases these utilities are claiming. We're already giving these utilities more than 50% of their pollution for free, and even if they had to pay for all the extra pollution beyond those allowances rates would increase less than half what MidAmerican is claiming. And why is that a bad thing? It gives them an incentive to actually reduce pollution, imagine that. With the strong energy efficiency provisions, energy use in the country will be held flat - even as the economy rebounds - through 2020. Which means those of you who take advantage of efficiency opportunities may ultimately be paying less than you would if this bill doesn't pass.

Finally, that doesn't count all of the jobs Iowa stands to get from investing in clean, renewable energy or the payments to farmers to practice better soil conservation and stewardship to reduce pollution. Iowa is a leader in a lot of those areas, and this bill recognizes and rewards that.

ACES would be a huge boon to the state of Iowa, to our economy, and to the environment. MidAmerican's crap shouldn't be left unopposed.

If you do one thing today or Friday, please call Congressmen Loebsack, Braley, and Boswell.

Congressman Loebsack's number - (202) 225-6576
Thank Congressman Braley for his hard work - (202) 225-2911
Congressman Boswell's number - : (202) 225-3806

If you want more information about what MidAm is saying and why it is so blatantly wrong, send me an email. I'm happy to run you through the economics and impacts of the bill. I'm not saying it is perfect, but it should pass on to the Senate. We need it.

Thank you very much,

Mark
kresowik@gmail.com
319-621-7393

P.S. I'm not writing this as a staff member of the Sierra Club. The lies being tossed around Iowa right now hit me personally. I've spent way too much time on these issues to watch MidAmerican and the electric cooperatives misrepresent the impacts of this bill on people who are already struggling to pay their electric bills. Their statements don't serve their ratepayers. This bill does an enormous amount, possibly even too much, to cushion electric utilities and ratepayers. And it will certainly be good for Iowa. Even if you don't agree with the bill, stand up for truth in advertising!

One more thing. According to the EPA's latest modeling results, released this morning, average household electricity expenditures go DOWN through 2015 by 3.5% with ACES compared to business as usual. If you needed any more evidence that MidAmerican is full of crap, there is it is.

Men's Club Continues: No Change in Iowa Delegation

As widely expected, all the Iowa Congressional seats remain in the hands of incumbents as Democrats Bruce Braley, Dave Loebsack, and Leonard Bowell, and Republicans Tom Latham, and Steve King handily won their district races. Also, Democrat Senator Tom Harkin dispensed unheralded Republican challenger Christopher Reed.

Iowa continues to be one of only two states that has never sent a qualified woman candidate of any party to Congress, as Marrianette Miller-Meeks, Wendy Barth, and Becky Greenwald were defeated.

Boswell Skipping Debate to Reach Out to Outdoorsmen--on the Radio

If Leonard Boswell has problems prioritizing his time to debate Ed Fallon once for the benefit of voters in the Iowa 3rd District over appearing on a radio show , it is no wonder he has been so lackluster in Washington D.C.

According to the Fallon campaign:

Ed Fallon is making one last appeal to Congressman Leonard Boswell to attend tonight's 3rd District Democratic candidates debate at 7:00 PM at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust in Des Moines. Boswell has stated that he would be not be available for any debates because he would be too busy in Washington or had other conflicts.

Fallon said, "According to a Boswell campaign press release, I understand that tonight at 6:00 PM he is a guest on "Outdoors with Outdoor Dan" radio show on KRNT 1350 AM in Des Moines. Since the radio program ends at 7:00 PM, I want to make sure the Congressman knows that he's still welcome to participate in the debate, even if unscheduled."

Fallon notes that the Primary election is just six days away and says, "This is one of the last chances for voters to see us face to face and learn where we stand on the issues."

Ed Fallon Endorsed Over Leonard Boswell by Des Moines Register

The Des Moines Register is not known for it's going-out-on-a-limb ability, so it comes as a huge surprise that they endorsed my favorite Iowa progressive over long-sitting (Note that I did not say "long-serving") congressman, Leonard Boswell. Iowans in the fighting 3rd District have had the good sense to support Ed Fallon in his many campaigns and I hope they do this time around when it is likely that we will have both a Democratic House and White House.

Does an endorsement by the Des Moines Register have significance in this race, particularly when Boswell's coffers have been filled by lobby dollars and his name recognition--heightened by the ability to send "Congressional information" to his district for free--usually hold sway? That's for the voters to decide. But, as we learned in the 2nd District in 2006, when a college professor with even less name recognition, Dave Loebsack beat long-serving, moderate (and frankly with a voting record very much like Leonard Boswell) Jim Leach, nothing is for certain until the voters make it so.

Boswell Ducking Fallon?

Representative Leonard Boswell and Candidate Ed Fallon have been invited to the event to be held on 5/28/2008 at 7pm at the State Historical Society of Iowa Building, 600 E Locust, Des Moines, IA. Mr. Fallon has accepted the invitation. Mr. Boswell has declined. The forum will be held on Wednesday with Mr. Fallon in attendance and an empty podium. Principle Sponsors are the Progressive Coalition of Central Iowa (PCCI) and Central Iowa Operation Democracy (CIOD). Co Sponsors are Women's International League of Peace and Freedom (WILPF), Iowa Chapter of Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA), and Clarion Alliance.

If you need further information or wish interviews before the event please contact:

Phyllis Stevens phyllisetc@aol.com 515-309-2860
Vern Naffier joycevernhn@juno.com 515-276-3602

Who Owns Leonard Boswell?

This is sort of a clever knock on Leornard Boswell by a group called Progressive Kick.

Fallon Calls for End of Earmarks

From Ed Fallon for Congress:

Ed Fallon today called for abolishing congressional earmarks, challenging incumbent Congressman Leonard Boswell to match his own pledge to refuse earmarks and to work to end the practice. "If Congressman Boswell isn't agreeable to earmark reform, then I believe the public has an interest in hearing a debate between the two of us on the issue," Fallon said.

"Earmarks are the epitome of pork barrel spending, and are an abuse of power, position, and taxpayers' trust," Fallon said. "They allow members to direct spending to their pet projects, often as payback to big donors. Lobbyists spent $160 million to influence Congress in 2006. They got great return on their investment -- $12 billion in earmarks."

Fallon pointed out that his opponent in this race, Rep. Leonard Boswell, is a worse than average offender. In 2007, the average House member who was not a member of the Appropriations Committee obtained $4 million in earmarks. "Despite increased public outrage over earmarks," Fallon said, "Congressman Boswell actually increased his use of earmarks this year, securing earmarks worth $33.1 million, up from $32.3 in the previous budget."

Fallon noted that he has endorsed the Change Congress movement's pledge to abolish earmarks, and that his own pledge is featured on the first page of his campaign website: "I, Ed Fallon, do hereby pledge that I will personally support spending reform in Congress by refusing to seek, support, or enact earmarks during the appropriations process, and will work for the abolition of earmarks."

Ed Fallon Tells Leonard Boswell to "Cease and Desist"

Ed Fallon wants Leonard Boswell to end his negative attacks and stick to the issues. In a press releas that came out this morning Fallon said,

"Iowans want campaigns focused on issues and facts, not innuendo and negativity," said Fallon. "Unfortunately, Congressman Boswell's campaign is opting for the latter, with allegations that I am a 'bad' Democrat and even unethical. People are sick of this stuff. Let's have an open, fact-based discussion of the real issues."

Over the years, Fallon has apologized repeatedly for his 'Nader mistake.'

"During the past 15 years, I have campaigned for dozens of progressive Democrats, and in 2004, I wrote to Ralph Nader asking him not to run for president. Yes, my support for Nader in 2000 was a mistake," said Fallon. "But what about Congressman Boswell's mistakes, such as voting for funding for the Iraq War repeatedly, for the PATRIOT Act, for warrantless surveillance, for a punitive bankruptcy bill, for tax breaks for oil and gas companies? On these and so many other issues Leonard Boswell has voted against Democratic priorities, the very priorities that I have fought for these past 20 years. If he feels those votes were mistakes, then let's have an apology. If he feels they were right, then let's have a debate."

A recent e-mail sent by Boswell's campaign also alleged that Fallon has acted unethically in his work with I'M for Iowa. "That's absurd," said Fallon. "I'M for Iowa is simply an organization that enables me to consult with activist across the state on a wide range of issues."

"Every campaign I've ever run has been run without PAC and lobbyist money. The focus of my life has been to live simply so I can devote my time and energy to advocating for people in need. Just as Republicans attacked John Kerry in 2004 for his military service, Boswell is trying to attack me on my strength as a fighter for clean, accountable government."

Fallon concluded, saying, "The Democratic Party is changing. New energy at the grassroots promises to restore true democratic principles to our government. I've got a lot of energy and passion for reform - including campaign finance, health care, and the environment - and I'm eager to put my commitment to public service to work in Washington, DC."

Support from PAC Supporters V. Taking PAC Money

Ed Fallon is being accused by Leonard Boswell's campaign of being hypocritical about receiving support through PACs. At issue is that Democracy for America, which is a PAC has encouraged its members to support Ed Fallon, who has not received a SINGLE dime from DFA, but did receive direct contributions from 730 DFA members to the tune of about $20,000.

Many people are members of organizations that encourage supporting candidates, the National Association of Realtors as an example encourages its membership to choose pro-real estate candidates, but that doesn't mean the same thing as the NAR cutting a check for a candidate.

Because Leonard Boswell does take money DIRECTLY from PACs, it would appear that the longtime Congressman is trying to justify his own behavior. According to Iowa Progress, "in the first three quarters of 2007, Boswell has taken in $433,000 in contributions from PACs, making up 75% of total contributions recieved."

Fallon to Face Off Against Boswell

I leave town for a weekend and lo and behold...

Over in the Iowa 3rd district, Gubernatorial candidate and former state representative Ed Fallon has announce that he will run against entrenched incumbant Leornard Boswell for his seat. Below is Fallon's announcement.

As some of you know, I’ve decided to run for Congress. Lynn and I will continue to publish I’M for Iowa updates and maintain the I’M for Iowa website. Through those tools, we’ll encourage your involvement with key state issues, including campaign finance reform, hog confinements, climate change, eminent domain, health care, and improving the integrity of our voting system.

Through my congressional campaign organization, I’ll share with you once each week an update on how the campaign is unfolding. (Please let me know if you do not want to receive that update.)

Last summer, after much thought, I decided I could best make a difference in the world as a member of Congress. In 2006, Americans said they were tired of Bush’s policies, so we elected a Democratic Congress. Yet on key issues, congressional Democrats have let America down. Simply stated, too many of them, including Leonard Boswell, vote too often with President Bush and against the priorities of the American people.

As the Iowa Caucuses made abundantly clear, people are ready for change. While Leonard Boswell is an honorable man who has served with dignity, I feel his positions on many key issues are wrong.

Boswell accepts donations from PACs and lobbyists. Of the $600,167 he raised between February and September 2007, 73% came from PACs. During my 14 years as a state representative and when I ran for governor, I refused donations from PACs and lobbyists and won’t accept them in my congressional campaign either.

In 2003, he voted for the Iraq War and has continued to support additional funding with no timetable to bring the troops home. I opposed Bush’s war from the start and believe we need a more diplomatic approach to foreign policy, not just in Iraq but throughout the Middle East.

In 2005, Boswell voted to provide $14 billion in tax breaks and incentives for oil and gas companies. He also supports greater use of coal. I have been a leader in the fight against government handouts to big business. I support a moratorium on new coal-fired power plants and have helped lead efforts in Iowa to fight global warming.

Boswell voted for No Child Left Behind. I have always spoken against this unfunded, ineffective mandate, and believe NCLB should be repealed, or at a minimum severely overhauled.

Boswell supported the Patriot Act, and in August 2007, voted for a bill to increase unwarranted surveillance on the American people. Iowa’s other Democratic Congressmen, Bruce Braley and Dave Loebsack, voted against it. I have a long track record of fighting for civil rights and personal liberties.

In November 2007, Boswell joined Congressmen Steve King and Tom Latham – both Republicans – to vote for a NAFTA-like trade agreement with Peru. I am a vocal opponent of NAFTA and other so-called “free” trade agreements and believe in fair trade that protects American jobs, our environment, and workers’ safety.

I’m ready to take on the corporate interests who have corrupted our federal government. I’m ready to give working families and the poor a voice in national politics. I’m ready to do what I can to see that environmental issues are taken seriously inside the beltway. I’m ready to apply what I’ve learned during 23 years of public service in Iowa and be a part of the solution in Washington.

Thank you for your interest, and if you’d like to contact our campaign team, we can be reached at fallon@fallonforcongress.com, (515) 277-0424, or 2715 Cottage Grove Avenue, Des Moines 50311.

HAVA (Not so) Nice Day!

HAVA (Help America Vote Act) was designed to help states update antiquated voting systems so that hanging chads will be a thing of the past. However, despite allocating almost $4 billion dollars to do this, many states are slow to do it, even with the help of the Election Assistance Commission who reports this progress.

For instance, 5 states have spent less than 10% of the funding available to them (CT, MA, NH, NY, OK). While 12 states have spent less than 50% of the funding (AL, AK, AZ, DE, DC, FL, HI, ME, OR, SD, TN, WA, WI, WY). This would be more of concern if these states had antiquated machinery.

What should be of more concern is that, as of January 1, 2010, all voting systems may only contain software certified by the federal Election Assistance Commission. Not only are States limited to using systems that meet the guidelines established by the EAC, but they are also prohibited from using systems that have not been certified for use by the EAC. This essentially means all of the systems currently in place.

This could mean, based on who's running the show that certain vendors are favored with software that is breachable. Currently Dianne Feinstein has sponsored a bill S1487 that is co-sponsored by Dodd, Clinton and others. But it has some problems. Another bill HR 811 sponsered by Rush Holt and co-sponsored by 216 others (including all the Dems in the Iowa delegation) has more promise because it would be enacted before the 2008 election.

School of the Americas Still Open For Business

Despite the efforts of the School of the Americas Watch and support from 203 Congresspersons, the vote to not fund the SOA/WHINSEC (H R 2764 RECORDED VOTE 21-Jun-2007 11:52 PM)was 214-203 against thwe McGovern/Lewis Amendment. Our Iowa delegation was split with Democrats Dave Loebsack, Bruce Braley, and Leonard Boswell voting to close the former School of the Americas and Republicans Latham and King voting to keep it open.

I guess it is another victory for "Viva la tormenta!" in Bushland

P.S. 19 representatives didn't even vote--there must be a special place in Hell for folks like that.

How Hard are Iowa's Representatives Working in Congress?

Now it may be unfair to judge from my vantage point in Iowa City how our Congressional Reps. are doing, but remember, I do research for a living and, yes, numbers do tell a story.

So in the 110th Congress who has sponsored legislation, co-sponsored legislation, and who has had others support their legislation? Thomas Legislation tracking tells us one story

IA-1 (Braley)*
Sponsored = 3
Others Support = 3
Co-sponsored = 60

IA-2 (Loebsack) *
= 2
= 2
= 124

IA-3 (Boswell) *
= 5
= 4
= 97

IA-4 (Latham) *
= 7
= 5
= 39

IA-5 (King) *
= 11
= 7
= **

GovTrack tells a different story.

* Bruce Braley has sponsored 3 bills since Jan 4, 2007, of which 2 haven't made it out of committee (Average) and 0 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Braley has co-sponsored 128 bills during the same time period (Few, relative to peers).

* David Loebsack has sponsored 2 bills since Jan 4, 2007, of which 1 haven't made it out of committee (Average) and 0 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Loebsack has co-sponsored 120 bills during the same time period (Few, relative to peers).

* Leonard Boswell has sponsored 44 bills since Jan 7, 1997, of which 41 haven't made it out of committee (Average) and 0 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Boswell has co-sponsored 1205 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers).

* Thomas Latham has sponsored 35 bills since Jan 7, 1997, of which 26 haven't made it out of committee (Average) and 1 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). Latham has co-sponsored 764 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers).

* Steve King has sponsored 35 bills since Jan 7, 2003, of which 34 haven't made it out of committee (Average) and 0 were successfully enacted (Average, relative to peers). King has co-sponsored 536 bills during the same time period (Average, relative to peers).


** Unable to determine via Thomas

Loebsack Votes Against War Supplemental--Supplemental Passes

Rep. Dave Loebsack was one of 140 Democrats (and one of three Iowa Representatives) and 2 Republicans that voted against the Iraq War Supplemental funding bill. To the 86 Dems (including John Murtha) that supported the supplemental, you should be ashamed.

In the Senate sadly both Tom Harkin and Charles Grassley voted for the supplemental bill. See T.M. Lindsey's Iowa Independent story for his comments on Harkin compared with my personal hero, Paul Wellstone.

Dave and Bruce Braley --my hat is off to you gentlemen.

(Democrats in roman; Republicans in italic; Independents underlined)
H R 2206 RECORDED VOTE 24-May-2007 6:45 PM
QUESTION: Concur in Senate Amendment with House Amendment No. 2
BILL TITLE: Making emergency supplemental appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2007

	Ayes	Noes	PRES	NV
Democratic	86	140		6
Republican	194	2		5
Independent
TOTALS	280	142		11

Dems: No Timeline Like the Present

Fearing a Memorial Day deadline (and thereby a "message" to veterans that "Democrats don't support the troops") by the White House and a new tactic by the Republican party to frame a benchmarks/timeline requirement as part of the appropriationas a "surrender date", Democratic leaders are likely backing off the requirement to fund the supplemental defense bill. They understand that they do not have enough votes to sustain a veto override and, therefore, don't think it is worthwhile to continue to fight.

This would be "mission accomplished" for the White House, but a devastating defeat for the taxpayers who are watching their wallets and families of soldiers who see the casualities mounting and Iraq slipping deeper into chaos.

Those members of the Out of Iraq caucus are likely to hold their position. Perhaps what is needed is for members of Congress to use their moral courage to defy the leadership and chart a new course.

The members of the Out of Iraq Caucus are:

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Chair, Co-Founder
Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.), Co-Founder
Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.), Co-Founder
Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-N.Y.), Co-Founder
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), Co-Founder
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Co-Founder
Rep. William Delahunt (D-Mass.), Co-Founder
Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), Co-Founder

The rest of the caucus is:
Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii)
Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.)
Rep. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.)
Rep. Corrine Brown (D-Fla.)
Rep. Lois Capps (D-Calif.)
Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Mass.)
Rep. Julia Carson (D-Ind.)
Rep. Donna Christensen (D-V.I.)
Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.)
Rep. William Lacy Clay (D-Mo.)
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.)
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.)
Rep. Danny Davis (D-Ill.)
Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.)
Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas)
Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.)
Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.)
Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Pa.)
Rep. Bob Filner (D-Calif.)
Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.)
Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-Ariz.)
Rep. Luis Gutierrez (D-Ill.)
Rep. Phil Hare (D-Ill.)
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Rush Holt (D-N.J.)
Rep. Michael Honda (D-Calif.)
Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-Texas)
Rep. William Jefferson (D-La.)
Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas)
Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio)
Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio)
Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-Mich.)
Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio)
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)
Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.)
Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.)
Rep. James McGovern (D-Mass.)
Rep. Michael McNulty (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.)
Rep. Marty Meehan (D-Mass.)
Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.)
Rep. Gwen Moore (D-Wis.)
Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.)
Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-Calif.)
Rep. Richard Neal (D-Mass.)
Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-D.C.)
Rep. James Oberstar (D-Minn.)
Rep. John Olver (D-Mass.)
Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.)
Rep. Donald Payne (D-N.J.)
Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.)
Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-Calif.)
Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.)
Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-Calif.)
Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.)
Rep. Jose Serrano (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Hilda Solis (D-Calif.)
Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.)
Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.)
Rep. John Tierney (D-Mass.)
Rep. Ed Towns (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.)
Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.)
Rep. Albert Wynn (D-Md.)


Notably missing from the caucus is our own Dave Loebsack, Bruce Braley, and Leonard Boswell