Ask candidates to fund the Trust

If non-stop political ads make you want to head for the hills, listen to that impulse: Spending time outdoors is one of the healthiest things you can do for yourself. Offering multiple outdoor recreation opportunities is also one of the healthiest things Iowa can do for its economy, creating jobs, boosting our quality of life and attracting new businesses and employees.

Eight years ago, an overwhelming majority of Iowans voted to support our state's natural resources - from parks and trails to soil and water quality - by creating the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund. Since then, support for protecting and preserving these vital resources has only grown. A recent poll showed that seven in ten Iowans support funding the Trust - which has sat empty for eight years - by raising the sales tax 3/8 of a cent. It's clear Iowans care about this state's land, water and wildlife.

The question is, when will our elected officials listen to their constituents and get the job done? It's a question that seems to be missing from much of today's political dialogue. As Election Day nears, ask your candidates if they support funding Iowa's Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund.

Susan Shullaw

Iowa City

' Editor's Note:

Due to an abundance of election-related community letters and limited newspaper space, some are being published only online in an effort to include as many voices as possible.