Government

U.S. House of Representatives moves on GMO labeling bill

A bill that would prohibit state-level legislation on GMO labeling took a step forward in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday. Known as the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act of 2015, the bill seeks to create overarching federal legislation that only makes labeling optional. The bill was o

By Investigate Midwest staff

/ 14 Jul 2015

U.S. House of Representatives moves on GMO labeling bill

IowaWatch Connection: Common Core

The national K-12 common core education standards have drawn attention from educators, parents, and government officials. It's already become a topic in the 2016 presidential campaign. But what is it, and why are so many talking about it?

By Jeff Stein

/ 13 Jul 2015

Country of origin labels set to go away

Meat sold in the United States could soon lack a label that maps its origins. In 2009, Congress mandated that all livestock must include a country-of-origin labeling throughout what is commonly referred to as the COOL law. Under the requirements, the label must show where livestock was born, raised

By Migrator Added Author

/ 2 Jun 2015

Increased protection needed for foreign workers, report says

Withholding pay, stealing documents and under-reporting hours are all common examples of employe abuses when it comes to migrant labor. A recent Government Accountability Office report highlighted areas where the U.S. visa system can be improved. It mainly focused on better keeping tabs on employer

By Migrator Added Author

/ 4 May 2015

Increased protection needed for foreign workers, report says

Federal money woes bring attention to crop insurance

Taxpayer money funding the federal crop insurance program, a main safety net for farmers, has more than doubled in just over a decade. As the country's budgetary problems grow, critics continue to label the insurance program as inefficient and expensive.

By Robert Holly

/ 31 Mar 2015

Federal money woes bring attention to crop insurance

USDA’s 2024 projections suggest mixed news for farmers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture recently released its agriculture projections, which run through 2024. The projections bring good news for those in the livestock industry, as U.S. meat exports are expected to grow.

By Robert Holly

/ 25 Feb 2015

USDA’s 2024 projections suggest mixed news for farmers

White House budget proposal seeks crop insurance cuts

The federal crop insurance program has – once again – come under fire for giving farmers too many subsidies and costing the American taxpayer too much money. This time, the attempt to restructure what many in the agriculture industry refer to as the main “safety net for farmers” comes from the White

By Robert Holly

/ 10 Feb 2015

White House budget proposal seeks crop insurance cuts

Major piece of Waters of the U.S. rule withdrawn

Last week, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers official withdrew a piece of the Waters of the U.S. rule. The interpretive rule sought to clarify farming exemptions under Section 404 of the Clean water Act.

By Robert Holly

/ 3 Feb 2015

Major piece of Waters of the U.S. rule withdrawn

Federal spending bill primed to boost food safety

When Congress approved a nearly $1 trillion spending bill late last week, it also approved increased funding to federal food-safety programs. Under the new 2015 appropriations bill, two U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies will receive an estimated $40 million in funding.

By Robert Holly

/ 16 Dec 2014

Federal spending bill primed to boost food safety

Waters of the U.S. comment window set to close

The public comment period for a proposed rule defining "Waters of the U.S." is set to close on Nov. 14, more than half a year sine the rule was first introduced. During that time, thousands of national lawmakers, state authorities and agriculture officials have criticized the rule.

By Robert Holly

/ 12 Nov 2014

Waters of the U.S. comment window set to close

Looking to cut costs, feds explore slashing insurance subsidies

The amount of money that the government spends on expensive crop insurance subsidies has long come under criticism. This month, a federal report found that small cuts to premium subsidies could result in hundreds of millions of dollars in savings. The findings come as the national debt soars near $1

By Robert Holly

/ 22 Sep 2014

Looking to cut costs, feds explore slashing insurance subsidies

Comments pour in as EPA water rule discussion comes to a close

The EPA’s proposed “Waters of the United States” rule would add to the Clean Water Act by defining whether a water body is – or is not – protected by the act. The public has until Oct. 20 to formally comment on the proposed rule. So far, the rule has received nearly 6,000 comments. Hundreds of other

By Robert Holly

/ 18 Sep 2014

U.S. House of Representatives moves on GMO labeling bill

IowaWatch Connection: Common Core

Country of origin labels set to go away

Increased protection needed for foreign workers, report says

Federal money woes bring attention to crop insurance

USDA’s 2024 projections suggest mixed news for farmers

White House budget proposal seeks crop insurance cuts

Major piece of Waters of the U.S. rule withdrawn

Federal spending bill primed to boost food safety

Waters of the U.S. comment window set to close

Looking to cut costs, feds explore slashing insurance subsidies

Comments pour in as EPA water rule discussion comes to a close

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