This week in Iowa organizing…
A lot of attention was on the Iowa Hawkeye women's basketball team this weekend. Some may want to call the officiating of Sunday's game a joke (a day after April Fools'), but it was still an incredible and impressive run by Caitlin Clark and the whole team and coaches.
Speaking of April Fools', Saturday marked the 7 year anniversary of Iowa's privatized Medicaid program. Delays and denials of care just to line the pockets of for-profit Managed Care Organizations is no laughing matter.
Also, if Senators Mike Bousselot, Waylon Brown, or Jack Whitver think they can fool us into believing legislation to restrict eminent domain abuse by CO2 pipeline profiteers is dead, they're mistaken. Where there's political will there's a way, and no legislation is technically dead until the legislative session ends.
More on that and other ways to take action and get involved below!
Onward,
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
At the statehouse
Nearing the finish and punting on pipelines
The second legislative funnel came and went last Friday, meaning lawmakers will turn their focus to a handful 'unfinished business' items and the state budget as they eye an April 28 adjournment date.
Here's a good summary of what's left on lawmakers' agenda and what didn't make the cut on Friday.
Despite the passage of the March 31 funnel, there are ways legislative leadership can revive bills for consideration, meaning House File 565 isn't technically dead. Heck, even House Speaker Pat Grassley is encouraging people to keep contacting their Senators on the issue.
So let's do just that. You can find your Senator and their contact information here. And as Senate Majority Leader, Jack Whitver should hear from Iowans across the state on this issue, and you can email him at jack.whitver@legis.iowa.gov.
Oh, and some lawmakers are still trying to kick vulnerable Iowans off of food assistance and Medicaid. But there's a key way you can still weigh in tomorrow (keep reading)!
Take action
Tomorrow! Public hearing on SNAP, Medicaid eligibility
Right now food banks and food pantries are assisting more people than ever before. Meanwhile, the number of Iowans enrolled in SNAP is at a 14-year low. We should be exploring policies that would improve access to nutritious food for Iowans, but instead some lawmakers want to place burdensome restrictions on who can qualify for food assistance, and Medicaid to boot.
A public hearing has been scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday April 4, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Iowa State Capitol, Room 103. We need as many people as possible to attend and share their stories.
People wishing to speak at the public hearing need to sign up to do so here. Even if you can't attend, use the same form to submit comments declaring your opposition to this effort to restrict access to food and healthcare. You can read more about this misguided legislation from our allies at the Iowa Hunger Coalition here.
April 15 - fundamentals of organizing training in Dubuque
Are you wanting to build people-power in your community to deepen relationships and win on the issues important to you and your neighbors? Then consider joining us on Saturday, April 15 in Dubuque for our second 'Fundamentals of Organizing' training.
In order to run an effective organizing campaign, we need to understand the power our opposition has and the dominant narrative they use to prevent people from challenging the status quo. At this training we'll dig-in on the dominant narrative, power, self-interest, and the art of one-on-one conversations to deepen relationships and move people to action.
Ready to build power for the people and places we love? Space is limited, so fill out this registration form to indicate your interest and an organizer will get back to you.
April 29 - Happy Birthday Willie Nelson!
When we heard that Willie Nelson is turning 90, we thought: now that's a good excuse to get together.
Willie is not just a beloved American artist, song-writer and icon, he's played a big role in Iowa CCI's work to say Family Farms Yes!, Factory Farms No!
So...we're throwing Willie Nelson a birthday party, and you're invited!
On Saturday, April 29 we’ll:
Gather and enjoy Willie Nelson performances on a big screen
Celebrate Willie and Farm Aid’s role in the people's movement against corporate factory farms -- and for family farms and the environment.
Hear organizing stories from the mid-90s when Willie showed up time and again for CCI and the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment, including an action in Clive, IA!
Enjoy a meal from Patchwork Family Farms and Gingko Goods. And, we'll have cake!
This event in Des Moines is open to the Iowa CCI community, fans of Willie Nelson, and others interested in the history of progressive, populist organizing in Iowa and the Midwest. More information and RSVP here.
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 movements can keep politicians from selling out [Waging Nonviolence]
The quiet privatization of government health insurance programs [Axios]
How Indigenous Land Management Practices Are a Blueprint for Climate-Resilient Agriculture [Counter Currents]
Chicago’s Election Will Shape the Future of Public Safety in America [The Nation]
What's missing from Iowa's carbon pipeline debate [Bleeding Heartland]
This Iowan's first wedding was to a pair of satanists. What that taught her about love [Des Moines Register]