Founded after World War I, the American Legion advocates for the unique needs of every generation of veterans, service members and their families. The American Legion Auxiliary mission is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military and their families. The Sons of The American Legion was founded in 1932 and includes males of all ages whose parents or grandparents served in the military and were eligible for American Legion membership. The rules of these organizations during an election year can be found on the internet at their websites and are very explicit. After witnessing the latest political rally in Iowa it seems that these rules need to be revisited.
The American Legion, Auxiliary and SAL are nonpolitical, nonpartisan organizations that will not be used for the dissemination of partisan principles nor for the promotion of any candidate or party. This includes the wearing of American Legion, Auxiliary or SAL apparel when engaged in partisan activities. Can I wear my American Legion cap to a political event or when promoting my political views in media? NO. The American Legion cap is considered the official Legion uniform. If attending a political event, the American Legion cap, or any clothing with The American Legion emblem visible, must be removed so as not to imply any endorsement by the American Legion. Can we use our American Legion post for a political event? When using post facilities to host any candidates, the post must remove American Legion emblems and American Legion flags to avoid any impression of endorsements. Candidates for ALL parties must be presented EQUAL OPPORTUNITY to use the facilities on the same terms and conditions as other competing candidates. The American Legion Auxiliary has this additional statement- during election cycles, the focus is on voter registration, education and promoting participation in democracy. The American Auxiliary focuses on its mission to support veterans rather than political candidates. The American Auxiliary remains strictly nonpartisan during election years, neither supporting nor opposing political parties or candidates.
These rules are nondebatable. They are easily found on the following websites:
www.legion.org and www.legion-aux.org
These organizations have been around for years helping veterans and their families. They are prestigious and deserve the respect to have their members adhere to the rules. We are better than this.
Beverly Evans, Galva
For the following reasons I strongly support the passage of Senate File 2067. It is innovative and necessary if Iowa is to capitalize on the value of her natural resources and the creativity and innovation of her citizens.
This is longer than your normal mass mailed postcard showing a POV for a particular piece of legislation. Yet, I urge you to take the time to review it.
The flaw which has negatively affected the agricultural economy and rural America is 10 decades of status quo ag policy. These policies have consistently provided farmers with financial safety nets. The result has been a fear of, and dearth of creating new value-added market opportunities. A government subsidy check is viewed as the best risk management strategy.
In the case of 45Z, CI scoring and year-round E-15, producers, processors and entrepreneurs are aggressively working with outside industries to develop new sustainable markets based on innovative carbon capture and storage technologies.
When policies with properly defined lifespans are designed to enhance and enable new opportunities, we know what benefits can accrue to rural America. We have already identified the kind of economic and environmental gains possible by reviewing what occurred when similar opportunities were exploited in the first decade of the 21st century.
All of this occurred when policies like the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 were enacted. They provided the basis to build the new industry. These gains in energy and agricultural prices were driven by these policies which responded to changing market demands that in turn created new solutions.
Today we have a similar but different explosion in demand. It is the demand for low carbon sources of energy. Regardless of one’s view of carbon pollution, the global consensus is that we need to reduce the release of carbon into the atmosphere.
This opportunity is comparable to that of the gestation and growth of the ethanol industry. Ethanol addressed a need for a climate-smart and renewable fuel source.
The global demand for low carbon fuels is estimated in the tens of billion gallons. Low carbon fuel demand can and needs to be gestated by a strong commitment to 45Z, CCS, low CI scoring and the resulting monetization of these carbon sequestering tools and processes. This can and should be addressed in the same thoughtful and aggressive manner as was the development and build out of the ethanol industry.
Will tax credits and subsidies be required? Yes, but I quickly refer you to the elimination of production ethanol tax credits. The resulting D6 RIN value does not affect or cost the U.S. budget or taxpayer. Yes, those who buy them for pollution control purposes may pass some of the cost on to consumers. That occurs at every level of service impacting the consumer. (Have you ever checked your auto service invoice when you have an oil change? There is always an environmental disposal charge.)
In summary, the agriculturally based ethanol industry, driven by creative policies, solved energy supply problems using environmentally sustainable and cost-effective technologies.
Based on my direct involvement in the development of Renewable Fuel policies and the build out of the ethanol industry from 2001-2008, I believe the same transition away from government support will occur as CCS and low carbon fuels technologies mature. The global demand for low carbon products, along with new uses for sequestered high-quality carbon products, will simultaneously increase supplies, cheapen prices, and dramatically reduce, if not eliminate any form of government subsidy. Over the medium-term development costs to the U.S. taxpayer will be minimal.
What is the net taxpayer impact of a serious commitment to 45Z, Carbon Capture and Storage, and E-15? It will be no more costly, and likely much less, to the U.S. budget than is the scope of intangible drilling costs and depletion allowances allowed at the well-head. The various tax credits or expenses allowed per gallon of fossil fuels from processing to distribution may result in another $.10-$.40 per gallon of benefits to the producer, processors and distributors.
Finally, I would point out that in Iowa approximately 30-35,000 jobs are tied to the ethanol supply chain. These jobs have an average salary of $50-60,000. Approximately 4,000 of these jobs reflect direct employment at Iowa ethanol plants. These jobs have average salaries of $65-85,000. This is the equivalent of 300-350 jobs per Iowa county. Most counties in Iowa are rural.
Developing the CCS infrastructure has the potential to add $1.50-$3 gross value to every bushel of corn produced in the state. Obviously, this won’t all aggregate to the farm because it requires additional and highly sophisticated skill jobs that ultimately reside in every county of the state.
The possibility of extracting hydrogen from Iowa subsurface reserves, and processing it with captured carbon, portends the possibility of manufacturing a more abundant and cheaper urea fertilizer.
In conclusion, research into new sustainable and environmentally responsible uses for carbon is expanding exponentially. I support a strong, responsible, and quick commitment to finalizing Senate File 2067.
Thomas C. Dorr, Marcus farmer; former Consultant & Undersecretary, USDA Rural Development 2001-2008; former President/CEO, U.S. Grains Council 2009-2012.
Across Iowa, more residents are choosing to care for their yards in ways that protect kids, pets, pollinators, and our environment. At the heart of this shift is a simple idea: when neighbors look out for each other, small individual actions can create big community change.
Good Neighbor Iowa is a statewide educational initiative that encourages individuals, schools, and communities to reduce unnecessary pesticide use and create healthier outdoor spaces for everyone. It’s about supporting each other in making choices that lead to safer play areas, stronger pollinator habitats, and cleaner soil and water.
A key part of this effort is the network of Local Champions across the state. These are everyday Iowans who share resources, answer questions, and start friendly conversations about safer lawn‑care practices in their community. Their work shows that meaningful environmental change doesn't need to come from a big agency or a laboratory; it can begin with a short conversation across a fence line.
In Cherokee County, spaces like Koser Spring Lake Park and Silver Sioux Recreation Area serve as a reminder of the value of clean, healthy outdoor environments. Choosing pesticide‑free practices in your own yard helps protect the very places the community enjoys most, since chemicals applied at home can be carried by the wind or wash into storm drains, eventually impacting neighborhood parks, rivers, and pollinator habitats.
I encourage residents to consider taking the Good Neighbor Iowa pledge or learning more about becoming a Local Champion at Goodneighboriowa.org. When we support each other in creating healthier outdoor spaces, the benefits ripple far beyond our own backyards.
Jordan Holloway, Cedar Rapids, goodneighbor@uni.edu
The Iowa House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed HF 557 (sponsored by Reps. Samantha Fett and Carter Nordman). A companion bill, SF 2099 (sponsored by Senator Lynn Evans) advanced through its Senate subcommittee.
These bills would elevate the most extreme animal cruelty crimes — defined as animal torture — to an automatic felony crime. Iowa is the currently the only state that does not have an automatic first offense felony charge for severe animal cruelty crimes.
Historical context:
"Iowa is the only state currently without similar laws. Iowa's law enforcement and prosecutor need to have the tools available to them to take action against the worst acts of cruelty toward our pets." – Senator Lynn Evans
"Iowans have made their opinions known loud and clear — we do not support animal cruelty and want our leaders to take action against it. Iowans care very deeply for their pets and want to see them protected."
Preston Moore, Humane World for Animals, pmoore@humaneworld.org
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