Depending on your view, some issues are more important than others. We d love to hear from you or your group on issues with which you agree or disagree. Speaking of that, we d like to discuss some issues that are of concern to the Muscatine Journal and Iowa newspapers, in general. Some are new ones, and others are the old issues that seem to crop up every year. We are working with our local legislators and the Iowa Newspaper Association to make sure our viewpoint is heard in Des Moines.
Newspapers remain THE best source to get widespread dissemination of public proceedings in Iowa.
Personnel records When it comes to public employees personnel files, the Senate and the House are examining ways to make certain information available to the public. The logic is based on the fact that public employees are employed to do the work of the public. The information that would be open to public inspection includes name, compensation, date of employment, positions held in government, qualifications and records of any disciplinary action taken that resulted in discharge, suspension, demotion or loss of pay. We feel the public s right to know and its right to inspect those records is critical to having an effective government. We support this effort to ensure open and equal access to information that is owned by the public.