This week in Iowa organizing…
As I watched the inauguration yesterday, the irony that this was happening on Martin Luther King, Jr Day wasn’t lost on me. Nor was the fact that we face very real threats to our people and the foundation of our democracy.
What Trump promised in his speech wasn't an agenda for working class folks, a message of unity, or things that would make America great. Clean water and protected lands are in danger. Immigrant families are in danger. LGBTQ+ communities face harm both from policies and other people. And so much more.
But I think the critical story coming out of yesterday was the people surrounding Trump. Billionaires, CEOs, special interests – all people who were banking on Trump to hand them a world where the money in their own pockets matters more than the voices of the people who make up this country.
I know this moment feels too big, too hard for a lot of us. But we were built for moments like these.
We are fearless truth tellers who know how to speak truth to power. We know how to stand up to corporate greed. And we will build community while we do it because we all deserve a world where we’re protected, supported, and where we can thrive.
Our history shows us that even in the darkest of times, when everyday people come together, we can fight back incredible dangers. As Dr. King once said, “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
We will see ourselves through this. We’ve done it before, and we’ll do it again. Together.
For each other and our future,
Katie Biechler
Political Organizing Director
Update
Home Energy Rebates application submitted!
It is with a sense of relief that we've learned that the state of Iowa has (finally) officially submitted their application for the Home Energy Rebate program!
This was anything but a "done deal." When we became aware of this program months ago, nearly two dozen states had already applied for funds. Then we learned our application had been sitting on Governor Reynolds' desk for nearly five months. And just over a week ago, Iowa was one of only 5 states yet to apply before a January 31 deadline.
So thank you to all of you who called the Governor's office over the past month (or more) urging her to submit our application. Your voices made a difference, and showed overwhelming support for this kind of relief for Iowa homeowners.
This is exciting news, but now we'll have to see it over the finish line. Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we monitor this program and its implementation - and once rebates become available, let's start spreading the word far and wide.
At the Statehouse
Week 1: some good, some bad, some weird, and a lot left unsaid
We're entering the second week of the Iowa legislative session. Over the next couple weeks, expect more bills to be introduced before lawmakers really get down to business. But, it's already started and some bills have already been introduced that lawmakers will be debating. Here's a few that caught our eye:
Good: Senate Study Bill 1012 - would allow SNAP users to increase their purchasing power for fresh fruits and vegetables at local farmers markets, grocery stores, and more
Bad: Senate Study Bill 1010 - would ban cities or counties from creating a citizen review board for police oversight, and strip any current ones from enforcing their policies
Weird: "Make Minnesota Iowa Again"... just, wow.
And last week Governor Reynolds gave her Condition of the State address. In our opinion, it left a lot to be desired, and we're in general agreement that the condition of our state is not strong.
In her address, Reynolds proposed to give the University of Iowa $1 million to study cancer rates in Iowa. She made it sound like she’s deeply concerned, but if she really cared about cancer rates she would stop giving her corporate ag cronies free rein to destroy our land and poison our water.
Take action
Jan. 28: Public School Strong orientation
Despite the increasing attacks on public education by politicians and corporate actors with deep pockets, everyday Iowans know that strong public schools are a cornerstone of our communities and democracy. By organizing in our neighborhoods and at local school board meetings, we can create positive, common sense solutions to address the real issues our schools are facing.
That's why we're part of Public School Strong - a national movement of parents, teachers, students, and community members pushing for honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public education. Check out recent news coverage featuring CCI Public School Strong leaders here!
Be a part of the growing movement! Join our next orientation session on Tuesday, January 28 at 6pm over Zoom. More info and RSVP here.
Feb. 10: Defeat the "Cancer Gag Act" day of action
Bayer says they want to help Iowa farmers thrive. Problem is they also want to silence us. Join CCI Action and the Defeat the Cancer Gag Act coalition for a day of action on Feb 10! RSVP here.
Fact # 1 – Bayer is pushing a bill at the Iowa legislature that would make it harder for us to take them to court if we get sick from using chemicals like Roundup
Fact #2 – In 2015, an international research agency determined that Roundup’s main active ingredient was probably carcinogenic. And Bayer knew that when they bought Monsanto in 2018
Fact #3 – In a state with the second highest cancer rates in the country and the only state where rates are rising, now’s not the time to sweep this problem under the rug
Iowans deserve to be heard, not silenced. Join us on Feb 10 from 1 PM-4PM in Des Moines to take action!
Feb. 13: Join us for treats and thank-you calls
We're hosting TWO Thank-A-Thon phone banks this year - from 1-4pm and 5-8:30pm at our Des Moines office. Come by for some sweet treats, to socialize with staff and other volunteers, and help us make calls to show our appreciation for the people who make CCI such a powerful force for good!
These will be easy calls to thank folks that have been involved with CCI recently. We had some great conversations last year! Whether you only have time for a treat and a couple of calls or hang out for a full shift, we would love to see you on the 13th!
To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please give us a call at (515)255-0800 or email kim@iowacci.org. This helps make sure we have enough snacks for everyone. We look forward to having you jump on the phones with us to help thank our awesome members for their support!
Nearly 70 counties have passed the Master Matrix - let's keep it going!
County Supervisors can weigh in on factory farm construction in your communities - but only if they submit the Master Matrix resolution to the Iowa DNR between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31. Read more about it in this Iowa Capital Dispatch article featuring CCI organizer Caitlin Golle!
The resolution isn't the end-all fix we need, but is an important tool in our organizing. This permitting application can be used to stop or slow the growth of the factory farm industry.
Contact your County Supervisors today! Tell them to pass the Master Matrix resolution and submit it to the Iowa DNR between January 1 and January 31. Check out a sample of the resolution here. ***Note: O'Brien, Osceola, Plymouth, Des Moines, and Benton counties chose not to adopt the Master Matrix***
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Big Oil and Big Ag are teaming up to turn cow poop into energy - and profits. The math doesn't add up [Vox]
'Reactionary nihilism': how a rightwing movement strives to end US democracy [The Guardian]
Buffet's Berkshire Hathaway operates the dirtiest set of coal-fired power plants in the US [Reuters]
Are we sleepwalking into autocracy? [New York Times]
Here's how we can break the GOP's grip on rural America [Barn Raiser]