This week in Iowa organizing…
In case you missed it, last week brought us some good news showing yet again that organizing, persistence, and keeping your eyes on the goal pays off. After more than 15 years of going toe-to-toe with factory farm polluters, the federal Environmental Protection Agency is finally going to research the impact factory farms have on our water and environment.
We've known for years factory farms pollute our water with little to no accountability. That's about to hopefully change with this study. Much like the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act helped lead to the creation of the Community Reinvestment Act, this action by the EPA can lead to the formation of meaningful policy and regulation to crack down on factory farms.
This wouldn't have been possible without the work and investment in our people and planet by members like you and other CCI allies across the Midwest and country speaking truth to power and confronting corporate ag. Thank you.
On a sad note, the week was also filled with yet more news of violence, police brutality, and racism, most notably in Memphis. My thoughts couldn't be said better than by New York Times columnist Charles Blow, who was on CBS Sunday Morning yesterday [content warning].
Racism and police brutality cannot be ignored, brushed over, or confronted only in passing moments. And it sure as hell ain't theater or spectacle.
The work to make our communities and society welcoming and nourishing for all our neighbors - from all backgrounds, abilities and identities - is 24/7, 365 days a year.
So take a breath, take a moment to center yourself, and then let's get back to it. Our people and planet are worth it.
In love and solidarity,
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
At the statehouse
Speaking out of both sides of their mouths, attacking teachers (again), waiting on pipelines
When it comes to private school vouchers, the rhetoric from Governor Reynolds and Republican leadership was all about "choice" and "freedom", but it's another story for them when it comes to food security and healthcare.
GOP lawmakers are advancing a bill aimed at kicking Iowans off of SNAP and Medicaid. They've been quoted as saying that only those who truly deserve it should get to have it, and that they're cracking down on fraud and abuse. That's a flat-out lie. In fact, there's likely to be way more fraud and abuse with Reynolds' voucher scam than the SNAP program.
The Iowa Senate is very likely to move the bill forward, but the House is less certain. If you haven't taken a minute to email your Representative on this issue, please do so by clicking here.
And sadly not surprising, some GOP lawmakers are back at it again attacking public school teachers and stoking fear and division amongst Iowans who all want their children to receive a fair and accurate quality education.
And despite it being the most talked about issue leading up to and after the elections, bills aimed at curbing eminent domain abuse by CO2 pipeline profiteers have yet to receive discussion by lawmakers. Keep reading below for how we aim to change that!
Take action
Feb. 8 - NO eminent domain for private gain!
We believe eminent domain should not be used for projects without a clear benefit to the general public. That’s why we are supporting Senate File (SF) 101, which would prevent the use of eminent domain for hazardous liquid pipelines like the proposed CO2 pipelines.
Pipeline companies like Summit Carbon Solutions, Wolf, and Navigator stand to make a killing off these pipelines by hijacking public dollars for private profits. No way should they be allowed to be use eminent domain to push a false climate solution that endangers our lives and degrades the land.
That's why we're meeting online on Wednesday, Feb. 8 at 6pm to discuss ways to build support and passage of SF 101. On the call, we'll cover the details and significance of SF 101 in stopping the CO2 pipelines, talk about how we can build momentum and support to pass it, and share concrete ways folks can take action to hold their elected officials accountable.
RSVP to join us on Feb. 8 here.
Feb. 11 - No Wolf CO2 pipeline in eastern Iowa!
While we feel the impacts of climate change ramping up in Iowa, large corporations that have significantly polluted our air, land, and water are scrambling to find “solutions”—false ones— to cover up the environmental damage they inflict on our state.
What these greenwashing, money-hungry corporations fail to tell us is that CO2 pipelines are dangerous, don't solve climate change, and bolster industries that capitalize off dirty energy and destructive agricultural practices.
But we're not ones to just stand by, and the pipeline resistance continues to grow! If you live in the Scott county area or along the route of Wolf's proposed pipeline, join us Saturday, Feb. 11 in McCausland to fight back!
At this meeting, we'll present information on CO2 pipelines proposed in Iowa, hold space for community discussion surrounding pipelines, and offer chances to take action and plan next steps to bring CO2 pipeline projects to a halt.
More information and RSVP here!
March 10 & 11 - Candidate Leadership Training for our people and planet
We know that the legislators at the Statehouse putting forward bills like school vouchers and proposals to take food away from Iowans don't serve us or our neighbors, they serve corporate interests. It's clearer than ever before that we need folks like us - folks who share our values and our dream for a better Iowa - in elected office.
That's why we are holding our first Candidate Leadership Training on March 10th and 11th. We’ll cover everything you need to know to run a successful campaign grounded in building people power to win on our issues. This training is for prospective candidates, campaign workers, and CCI Action members committed to building base through elections.
Application deadline is February 17 and can be accessed here. Questions? Email kbiechler@iowacci.org
UI hospital workers deserve a full and fair contract
Healthcare workers at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), union members represented by our friends at SEIU Healthcare Minnesota & Iowa, began negotiating a new contract with UIHC and the Iowa Board of Regents last week.
These folks have been on the frontlines of the pandemic for the last three years and have a long history of providing outstanding care to those who need it most.
We deserve the quality care UIHC staff provide, and they deserve a full and fair contract. Help show widespread community support for these healthcare workers by signing their petition here!
The Iowa Board of Regents should negotiate in good faith and act to provide safe staffing, fair and equitable raises, and a grievance procedure for UIHC workers.
Issue updates
Tell the EPA dirty fuels aren't 'renewable fuels' - comments due Feb. 11
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reviewing the Renewable Fuel Standard under the Clean Air Act to set standards for 2023 through 2025. Where there is public money to be hijacked, corporate greed is quick to follow.
A clean energy future that works for farmers, workers, eaters and the environment is possible, but it does not involve the EPA investing in greenwashed energy schemes. Relying on dirty fuels like factory farm gas, ethanol and carbon capture sequestration to clean up our transportation sector will only dig a deeper hole.
CCI members Brenda Brink and Kim Hagemann gave powerful testimony at a public hearing last week, help amplify their message by submitting your comments today!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Despicable ‘culture of policing’ led to Tyre Nichols’ murder [Black Iowa News]
To move Iowa forward, progressives may need to go it alone [Bleeding Heartland]
Here Are the Departments Reynolds Wants to Cut [Iowa Starting Line]
Pipeline survey law enforcement varies by county [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
No False Solutions! Citizens Rise Up to Resist Dangerous Carbon Pipelines in the Midwest [Common Dreams]
Ron DeSantis’s Attack on Black Studies Is Textbook Proto-Fascism [Truthout]