This week in Iowa organizing…
Where's Waylon?
That's what a group of CCI members and pipeline fighters were asking yesterday when they went to state Senator Waylon Brown's home in Osage. Folks from every county represented by his district went to ask him if he would schedule HF 565 for a vote in the Commerce committee, of which he is chair.
All signs indicated he was home. But instead of answering the door and talking with his constituents, he called the local sheriff.
This wasn't the first (or second or third or fourth) time folks tried to talk with their Senator. It was only after phone calls went unanswered and emails not replied to that folks went to see where he stood on the bipartisan bill to restrict eminent domain abuse by the proposed CO2 pipelines.
Elected officials are supposed to serve their constituents. They won't always align on values or vote the way we want them to, but basic communication seems like it should be a requirement for public office.
This week is key for non-budget bills to clear another legislative deadline. We'll be looking to see if Waylon makes an appearance and moves legislation a bipartisan majority of Iowans want.
Onward,
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
At the statehouse
Winnowing the field, will pipelines make the cut?
This Friday, March 31, marks the second legislative funnel deadline. That means bills not related to the budget or appropriating money must pass a full chamber (House or Senate) and a committee in the opposite chamber.
Lawmakers are winnowing the field before they turn to the budget. The House will be busy this week, as they will debate Gov. Reynolds' proposal to restrict what's taught and available to read in public schools. And tomorrow a House subcommittee will take up the Senate Republicans' bill to ultimately take food and healthcare away from Iowans in need.
But eyes will also be on the Senate, where House File 565 sits in the Commerce committee. Governor Reynolds and Bruce Rastetter don't want this bill to pass, but an overwhelming majority of Iowans do. Over the next five days, we'll find out who our Senators really listen to and represent.
The clock's ticking. If you haven't emailed your Senator on this issue yet, take a minute to do so here.
Take action
Eastern Iowa CCI folks, we want to hear from you!
We've been hearing for a while now that folks would be interested in having CCI meetings on the eastern side of the state. You asked, we listened!
So, we're working on planning quarterly meetings over there starting in the spring. We're excited about the opportunity to bring more CCI events to this side of the state, and about building people-power together!
What do you think these meetings should look like? When and where should they be held? Let us know by filling out a short survey here!
What's your story?
We want to hear from you!
What brought you to Iowa CCI? What issues do you care most about? Is there a particular meeting, event, or action that you remember to this day?
Reply to this email and let us know! We'd love to hear from you on what CCI means to you, why you keep fighting to put people and planet before profits and politics, and what you hold dear.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
How Cigna Saves Millions by Having Its Doctors Reject Claims Without Reading Them [Pro Publica]
Policing where we pee [Storm Lake Times Pilot]
What the stamen said to the pistil [Bleeding Heartland]
Cancer Patients Challenge Biden Admin's Refusal to Lower Price of Lifesaving Drug [Common Dreams]
Silicon Valley Bank’s Failure Shows Why We Need to Expand Public Banking [Jacobin]
Des Moines police review board not budgeted [Axios] - quotes CCI member Veola Perry