Representative Dean Fisher Single-Handedly Holding Up Clean Water Legislation

Marshalltown, IA – Iowans from across the state are demanding that Rep. Dean Fisher (R-Tama) allow debate on a bill proposing a moratorium on new and expanding factory farms. Rep. Fisher, chair of the House Environmental Protection Committee where H.F. 203 has been assigned, has refused to assign it to a sub-committee.

H.F. 203 is the only legislation introduced this session that addresses the water quality crisis in Iowa.

Local members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and Food & Water Watch showed up to Rep. Fisher’s legislative forum in Marshalltown asking him to assign H.F. 203 to a sub-committee. Assigning the bill to a sub-committee would allow for elected officials and the public to have input on the bill.

“There needs to be a hearing on this bill that lets the public speak and allows the democratic process to work,” said Larry Ginter, a constituent of Rep. Fisher’s. “What is Representative Fisher afraid of?”

“This bill has support from over 20 representatives in the Iowa House, up from just 10 last year,” said  Adam Mason from Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement. “Thousands of Iowans have signed a petition calling for a moratorium. It’s very clear that support for a moratorium is growing, and Representative Fisher needs to do the right thing and allow the bill to be debated.”

“This legislation affects people across the state – rural and urban. Twenty-five counties have passed resolutions calling for stronger protections against factory farms. This is Representative Fisher’s last chance to show he is accountable to his constituents and not the Farm Bureau,” said Emma Schmit of Food & Water Watch.

Over 130 calls have been made to Rep. Fisher asking him to assign the bill to a sub-committee. If Rep. Fisher does not assign the bill to a sub-committee by March 8th, the bill will die. Rep. Fisher can be contacted at 1-888-724-8946.

Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement is a statewide, grassroots people’s action group that uses community organizing to win public policy that puts communities before corporations and people before profits, politics, and polluters.

Food & Water Watch is a national, membership organization that champions healthy food and clean water for all. We stand up to corporations that put profits before people, and advocate for a democracy that improves people’s lives and protects our environment.

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Contact:

Ava Auen-Ryan, [email protected], (515) 282-0484

Darcey Rakestraw, [email protected], (202) 210-0152