OH-15: Steve Stivers Supported Factory Farm Bill

So, State Sen. Steve Stivers, the GOP nominee in Ohio's 15th Congressional District, appears to be pulling an old GOP trick: when in doubt, act like a Democrat. That's why he is saying he has opposes construction of factory farms (called Concentrated Anmial Feeding Operations or CAFOs in bureaucratic parlance) in the 15th district. But, his track record in the Ohio Legislature tells a different story.

In 2003, Steve Stivers was a co-sponsor of House Bill 152, which limited localities right to challenge factory farms in their townships by placing all permitting authority with the state. The bill also further reduced the EPA's power to regulate factory farms, stating that the EPA had to be able to prove the CAFO is polluting ground water before it can regulate it. This bill was passed and eventually signed into law by Gov. Taft

CAFOs are of particular interest to Columbus because two are planned in Madison and Union counties, which would place the city downwind of the pollution they generate. Orleton Farms wants to build a factory farm housing 5,428 cattle in the watershed of Little Darby Creek in Madison County. Since factory farms can produce up to 500 million tons of animal waste each year, there is a high risk that this farm could contaminate the ecologically sensitive Little Darby Creek.

Similarly, Hi-Q Egg Farms wants to build a factory farm with 4 million chickens on 473 acres in Union County.

Steve Stivers says he opposes both projects. But his record in the State Senate indicates that's either talking out of both sides of his mouth, or this is a flip-flop of massive proportions. What's it gonna be, Stevey?