“States’ rights” has typically been a rallying cry among American conservatives, but six Democratic Iowa legislators are concerned that the Trans-Pacific Partnership now being negotiated may infringe on local control and states’ ability to legislate in the public interest. In an open letter, 43 state lawmakers have asked 23 state attorneys general, including Iowa’s Tom Miller, to analyze the Trans-Pacific Partnership’s possible impact on state and local governments.

I’ve enclosed the text of the letter below, along with a news release on the initiative from the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators. The Iowans who signed are State Representatives Chuck Isenhart, Marti Anderson, Dan Kelley and Curt Hanson, and State Senators Bill Dotzler and Joe Bolkcom. The letter spells out ten areas of state regulation that signers fear could be undermined by the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Isenhart stressed that the lawmakers’ concerns go beyond environmental issues, citing Iowa’s support for the biofuels industry as well as state policies to protect consumers and discourage smoking.

President Barack Obama is seeking to fast-track the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Activists who oppose the trade agreement have criticized the secrecy surrounding the negotiations as well as the agreement’s tilt toward corporations and potential to undermine environmental and public health protections.

UPDATE: Bleeding Heartland user cocinero notes in the comments that the American Cancer Society is concerned about this trade agreement. At the end of this post I’ve enclosed a joint statement from Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Heart Association, American Lung Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics.

NEWS RELEASE For immediate use



Wednesday, January 16, 2014 What will be the ability of states to legislate in the public interest under new international trade deals being negotiated by the U.S Trade Representative, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership? That’s a question posed in a letter to states’ attorneys general, including Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, signed by six Iowa state legislators. The letter, jointly issued by 43 state legislators from 23 states, seeks legal insight into the agreements being developing in an apparent shroud of secrecy. In addition to Attorney General Miller, the letter is being delivered to the AGs in Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Vermont, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. The letter is also addressed to the National Association of Attorneys General. Miller is a member of the NAAG Federalism/Preemption Committee. Iowa signers include Rep. Chuck Isenhart, Senator Bill Dotzler, Senator Joe Bolkcom, Rep. Curt Hanson, Rep. Marti Anderson and Rep. Dan Kelley. The initiative was coordinated through the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators (NCEL). Each of the Iowa signers participates in NCEL, though the lawmakers have a wide range of concerns in addition to environmental ones, according to Isenhart, who co-wrote the letter with Maine State Rep. Sharon Treat. “For example, I wonder whether Iowa’s continued support for the biofuels industry could come under outside attack under provisions of the TPP. Plus, questions have been raised about the defensibility of tobacco prevention policies and consumer protections, both of which are near and dear to the heart of Attorney General Miller. “I have heard presentations on this topic at other meetings of state legislators over the past two years,” Isenhart continued. “Alarm bells continue to go off, so we think the most responsible way to intervene is to engage our chief legal officers and to seek their expertise and analysis.” Isenhart said that he hopes to have a response shortly after the winter meeting of National Association of Attorneys General, which is set for Feb. 24-26 in Washington, DC. Contacts: State Rep. Chuck Isenhart (Iowa), 563-599-8839



State Rep. Sharon Treat (Maine), 207-242-8558 Note: Rep. Treat is a certified advisor to the US Trade Representative for the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

