This week in Iowa organizing…
We're seeing what some lawmakers are doing with their power at the statehouse - subverting longstanding rules and limiting public comment to fast-track legislation opposed by a majority of Iowans but supported by out-of-state think tanks and hedge fund billionaires.
That's why I was glad to be in a roomful of CCI leaders and staff on Saturday for our first (in several years) Fundamentals of Organizing Training. We dug-in on the dominant narrative that falsely tells us we're in it for ourselves and poverty is a result of personal choice, the need to build power for the long haul, and how to connect deeply with our neighbors and community.
It was inspiring and invigorating, especially in light of what's going on at the statehouse, and the real solutions needed for our people and planet. So in that vein, please read on for updates and ways to make your voice heard!
In solidarity,
Matthew Covington (he/him)
Strategic Operations Director
At the statehouse
Vouchers, meat controversy, but what about pipelines?
As you've likely heard, Gov. Reynolds' school voucher bait-and-switch is all but certain to head to the floors of the Senate and House this week for a vote. This is after the creation of a special committee in the House to ram it through, and a rules change to prevent the bill from having to first be advanced through budget committees.
As member Susie Petra notes, it appears lawmakers have not done their due diligence with the Governor's latest proposal. While Senate Republicans are assumed to overwhelmingly support this measure, passage in the House is less certain. If you haven't contacted your state Representative on this issue yet, find talking points and contact information here.
On another note, House Republicans' misguided (and spiteful) effort to take food away from Iowans is receiving some media attention about the lists of foods it would restrict from Iowans receiving SNAP benefits. Some cosponsors of the bill have already tried to walk back this absurdity by saying this is part of the process of lawmaking and crafting bills, but the real story is these 39 House Republicans didn't even take the time to read a bill written by an out-of-state conservative think tank in Florida before sponsoring the legislation.
But here's the deal - even if these cosponsors take the provision restricting the purchase of meat and cheese and bread out of House File 3, it's still a very bad bill that would take food away from Iowans. Read more on this and how to take action from our allies at the Iowa Hunger Coalition.
I'm pretty sure siphoning money from public education and taking food away from Iowans weren't the main issues on Iowans' minds leading up to the start of the legislative session. The CO2 pipelines sure were, and now we're starting to see some bills introduced to address the issue. What legislative leaders decide to do with these proposals, however, remains to be seen.
Take action
Wednesday, Jan. 25 - stop factory farms lobby day
Factory farms and Big Ag have run roughshod over Iowa for too long, jeopardizing our land and air and contributing to over 750 impaired waterways. Enough is enough, we need a factory farm moratorium now!
That's why we're joining with members of the Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture (IARA) for another "Stop Factory Farms Lobby Day" on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Momentum continues to grow for a moratorium, and this will be the sixth year that a moratorium bill will be introduced in the legislature.
One-third of lawmakers in the House and Senate are completely new to the legislature as a result of the 2022 elections. These legislators in particular need to hear from folks like you on why our communities, our waterways, our state needs a moratorium now!
Join IARA allies on Jan. 25 at 10:30am at the statehouse. Let us know if you can join (even for part of the day!) by RSVPing 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 catherine@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
It's (still) Master Matrix time!
It's the time of year for County Supervisors to submit the Master Matrix resolution to the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources (DNR) by January 31 in order to weigh in on factory farm construction in their communities.
As of last Friday, 66 counties have signed on to use the master matrix while one has rejected it. That means there are 33 counties that still need to decide whether or not to adopt the master matrix resolution for 2023!
See the map above and if your county is in yellow, reach out to your supervisors today. Click here to find a sample Master Matrix resolution, and find your supervisors and contact information here.
Speaking of factory farms, don't forget that from December 21 to April 1, factory farms with 500 or more animal units (at least 1,250 finishing hogs, 500 steers, or 357 mature dairy cows) cannot apply liquid manure on ground covered with an inch or more of snow or one-half inch of ice.
If you see liquid manure being applied illegally, or if you see something that just doesn’t look right to you, give our office a call or email caitlin@iowacci.org.
Tell the EPA dirty fuels aren't 'renewable fuels'
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!
Town’s drinking water contamination returns after testing ends [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Zach Nunn has a lot to learn about federal food programs [Bleeding Heartland]
Is the Reason Some Wealthy People Oppose Democracy Deeper Than We Think? [Daily Kos]
Who Profited from Election Deniers? [Issue One]
As Income Inequality Skyrockets, the Rich Are Paying Less Into Social Security [Truthout]
Florida says AP class teaches critical race theory. Here's what's really in the course [NPR]