Yet Another Bill to Sell ICN Introduced

In what seems almost like an annual rite of passage, a bill has been introduced in the Iowa Legislature to sell the Iowa Communications Network (ICN).

Senate File 8, introduced by Senator Brad Zaun (R-Urbandale) is similar to one passed several years ago. Eventually, then Governor Terry Branstad rejected the bids submitted by Iowa Network Services (now Aureon) because he didn't feel the bids adequately reflected the value of the network to Iowans.

The ICN has been a political football ever since its establishment and construction in the 1990's. The desire by some lawmakers to dispose of the state-owned network was reinforced a year ago when former executive director Rick Lumbard was accused of misusing $380,000 worth of taxpayer dollars over a period of 3 years.