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Ignoring advice?
A few years back Iowa legislators kept Iowa’s experts in climate, hydrology, public health and other areas busy for months and years putting together reports and recommendations. What has become of...
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Small boost in funding masks long-term reductions in state services
David Osterberg July 1 begins the new fiscal year for the state of Iowa so this is a good time for IPP staffers to update reports released during the legislative session. Two areas of funding that...
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Policy and pollution: We have options
Iowa’s deteriorating water quality is a lingering problem that never seems to make it to the front burner of political campaigns or elected leaders’ agendas in the State Capitol. The Des Moines...
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Why the federal budget debate matters in the states
There’s doggone near nobody who isn’t concerned about dealing with the nation’s long-term budget challenges of deficit and debt. What not enough people will recognize, however, is the danger of diving...
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IPP to EPA: Hold DNR Accountable on Water Quality
Tonight (October 18) in Des Moines, Environmental Protection Agency Region 7 Administrator Karl Brooks will meet with Iowans to hear comments and concerns about a new work plan by the state Department...
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How about that timing of worker pay report?
Mike Owen Timing is everything. Consider the announcement Tuesday by the Branstad administration of a new report produced by an outside company to examine whether Iowa state workers are paid too much....
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Does Iowa have the will to govern itself?
Does Iowa have the will to govern itself? How ironic that we have reason to ask that question, a week after a presidential election that capped three-plus years of courting of Iowa voters, and a few...
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Talk is cheap
David Osterberg There are three principal problems with the Governor’s proposed Nutrient Reduction Strategy, and they can be summed up in three words: Talk is cheap. Solutions to this problem start...
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Sound budgeting doesn’t include blanket tax credit
Mike Owen This session of the Iowa Legislature offers a tremendous opportunity to move the state forward with a balanced approach — including responsible, fair tax reform and investments in critical...
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Wind Power in Iowa: Lower Rates, Good Jobs
Opponents of expanding renewable energy often claim that new, safe and clean electricity is all very nice but it just costs too much. Let’s look at the data. The Energy Information Administration of...
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Addressing water pollution no matter the source
The Iowa Policy Project keeps producing good reports about the causes of water pollution and how to address it. Our report last week, Managing Water Pollution With Urban Wetlands: How Cities Reduce...
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Wind in your Facebook
This item reported by The Des Moines Register’s Donnelle Eller came as a breath of fresh air to those concerned about the energy demands of big data centers coming to Iowa. Reported Eller: Facebook...
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Stop the spin; climate change is for real
Note: A version of this post ran as a guest opinion in the Saturday, Dec. 28, Cedar Rapids Gazette: http://thegazette.com/2013/12/28/stop-the-spin-climate-change-is-for-real/ Get this straight,...
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With ALEC, it’s not just ‘Who?’ but ‘What?’ and ‘Why?’
Some Iowa legislative leaders are taking issue with claims that all Iowa legislators are members of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). See these links:...
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Digging Deeper on Frac Sand Mining
Frac sand mining is an emerging concern for people in Northeast Iowa. This concern has prompted questions regarding potential impacts on water quantity, water quality, recreation and tourism amongst...
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Investor-owned utilities must deal with climate change
Editor’s Note: This post is excerpted from a statement by David Osterberg, founder of the Iowa Policy Project, to the Iowa Utilities Board, February 25, 2014, in docket NOI-2014-0001 Full statement...
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Earth Day: Making policy matter
It’s good to see public officials looking for sensible policy solutions. When it is Earth Day and the policy is designed to protect the environment, it is especially rewarding. As Iowa Policy Project...
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Too few inspectors to assure clean water
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently seeking public comments on proposed rule changes required by the Iowa Legislature that would bring Iowa’s requirements for concentrated...
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Policy choices are about quality, not quantity
The headline on my doorstep today says, “Legislature continues trend of passing fewer bills.” That lead story in the Cedar Rapids Gazette notes that for the fourth straight year, a divided Iowa...
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Free-range concerns with hog confinements
A funny thing happened at the public meeting to consider the expansion of a hog operation in eastern Johnson County near West Branch. The operator withdrew his request for a permit. Residents had been...
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