Are local governments being preempted by state government? The ISAC Executive Director says "it's happening"

Iowa State Association of Counties Executive Director Bill Peterson paid a visit Monday to the Winneshiek County Board of Supervisors as part of a tour of several counties.

Local county board members wanted to talk with Peterson about steps by the state government to take away responsibilities from county boards and other local governments.  County Supervisor John Beard cited the Iowa DNR's Master Matrix, which does not allow local governments a say on the siting of confined animal feeding operations.

Peterson says it's a trend his organization has been tracking--and wants to counteract.  He's hoping an issue will surface that can draw unanimous support from county boards who are upset they're having their powers taken away.  Peterson and county supervisors agreed that the move to centralize power in Des Moines is being encouraged by interest groups which would rather lobby the state legislature than deal with 99 county boards.