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U.S. English, Inc. Criticizes Efforts to Repeal Iowa Official English Law

February 2, 2009

Official English opponents in Iowa recently commenced a campaign to torpedo the state’s official English law despite the fact that the law enjoys strong support from the majority of Iowans. HF 14, a bill introduced by Rep. Bruce Hunter, would repeal the Iowa English Reaffirmation Act, which made English the official language of the state. 

“The fact that some in Iowa want to repeal a law that was passed overwhelmingly by the legislature, signed by the governor and is still supported by the solid majority of Iowans demonstrates exactly why people have lost faith in their government,” said Mauro E. Mujica, Chairman of U.S. English, Inc. “At a time of economic uncertainty, legislators should be focusing their efforts on preserving jobs, promoting economic opportunity and reducing the cost of government, not considering repeal of a widely supported law.” 

In 2002, Iowa became the 27th state to make English its official language. The Iowa English Reaffirmation Act was passed by the Iowa House and Senate and signed into law by Gov. Tom Vilsack. At the time, multiple public opinion polls found that more than three-quarters of Iowans supported enactment of the law. 

Recent polls have shown that more than three-quarters of Iowans still support the law and oppose efforts to repeal it. A Sept. 2006 poll by Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, Inc. found that 77 percent of Iowans believed that English should continue to be the official language of the state. Only 17 percent of the 625 likely voters were in favor of efforts to repeal the law. The poll found more than two-thirds of likely voters supporting the law in all regions of the state as well as among Democrats, Republicans and Independents. 

“In 2002, doomsayers predicted that the passage of official English would lead to calamity, including widespread denial of services and a rapid outflow of the immigrant population,” continued Mujica. “Like in every other state that has adopted official English, these wild scenarios never materialized. Iowa has experienced an increase in the number of English classes offered, a 20 percent increase in the immigrant population of the state between 2002 and 2007, all with none of the predicted horror stories of people being denied emergency services. 

“Seven years later, we can conclusively say that Iowa’s official English law is beneficial and smart public policy. The voters clearly understand this. I join with them in requesting that this repeal effort be dropped and the legislature turn its attention to more constructive and beneficial governing.” 


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