The INA Board is concerned that there has been an unusual increase in the number of bills in the Iowa Legislature threatening to reduce access to public information and reduce or eliminate public notice requirements. In light of this, the board has taken a number of steps to reinforce our grassroots lobbying network.

For the Grassroots Lobbying Kit, click here.

Those steps include:

--Meeting annually with legislative leaders to discuss issues affecting newspapers;

--Installing new software to streamline the INA’s grassroots lobbying process and make it easier for members to contact their legislators;

--And asking all members to help by publishing a series of public service issues ads and guest columns to help the INA communicate its position on key issues to legislators and the general public.

Download the first public service ad

Download the second public service ad

Download the guest editorial

The board would like all members to consider running these in an attempt to show lawmakers and the general public that newspapers "speak with one voice" on these issues.

The next time you see your state legislators, be sure to mention the INA's concern that open meetings and records remain open to the public and that local governments continue to be required to be accountable to taxpayers by publishing notices in newspapers.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

Back to top