2017 CCI Action Legislative Reportcard

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The legislative session is over. And it was unlike anything we've seen.Call it a corporate coup d'état. Republicans worked double-time to put the agenda of big-monied corporations and special interests ahead of everyday Iowans.Our friends at the Iowa Policy Project aptly called it a "Session of Suppression," as we saw an attack on our workers, our wages, our water, and the safety and well-being of thousands in our communities.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR LEGISLATIVE SCORECARDWITH DESCRIPTION AND VOTES ON KEY BILLSYOU LOBBIED ON THIS SESSION.

This will help you identify our allies, as well as legislators who advanced the agenda of corporate power.Two hot-button issues not on the scorecard, but that we weighed in on are:

  • HF 484/SF 456 – Dismantling the Des Moines Water Works. This corporate power grab introduced by factory farmer Rep. Jarad Klein was moved to “unfinished business” in the House and was “funneled” in the Senate. Ultimately these bills did not get a vote in either the House or Senate, but show how hard corporate ag will fight meaningful efforts to address Iowa's clean water crisis.
  • Vicious state budget cuts – Lawmakers passed the tightest budget since Gov. Branstad returned in 2011, resulting in disastrous cuts that affect us all, including: defunding the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, cuts to our public universities and community colleges, cuts to programs that help victims of domestic violence, education, and other vital government programs.

Make no mistake – this is a revenue crisis not a budget crisis. Gov. Branstad and legislators have turned the state’s cash reserves ($927 million in 2013) into a $130 million “hole” (budget deficit) by the end of next year. This is a direct result of the 2013 corporate property tax cut deal and handouts (lost state revenue) to big corporations.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW YOUR LEGISLATIVE SCORECARDWITH DESCRIPTION AND VOTES ON KEY BILLSYOU LOBBIED ON THIS SESSION.

Thanks for taking action like we've never seen before!

From the very beginning when hundreds of you kicked off the session with a clear "People & Planet First" message at our Rally and Lobby Day, to the final budget battles – you were there every step of the way with a fight-back, never surrender attitude.Over 1,300 of you (that's just what we could track!) fought back and fought for the Iowa we want to see – an Iowa that puts people before profits, politics and polluters. You:

  • Testified at public hearings, countless sub-committee and committee meetings,
  • Packed legislative forums and coffees across the state,
  • Had over 50 Letters-to-the-Editor printed in local and statewide papers,
  • Held over 130 conversations with legislators at our "Citizen Lobby Team" action days at the Capitol, and
  • Weighed in with legislators directly by phone and email.

What's next?

The work we do together is about more than just resistance. We fight for what our communities need.As we look ahead to the 2018 legislative session and elections, we know there is a clear call to action and an opportunity to build our power to shift the political landscape to shape the Iowa we want to see.We know this moment calls for campaigning and organizing on more than just an "I'm not a Republican" platform. Every time we protest their agenda, we must demand, articulate, and push for our agenda – for clean water, for a fair economy, for a welcoming Iowa. We must shape the issue environment that our elected officials and candidates operate in. And, we need to run candidates from our own movement.

Don't miss these opportunities to help us change "business as usual" politics:  

It's a challenging time. There's a lot of work to be done. We'll be a part of the solution.

Join the fight!

 

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The legislative session is over. Our quick recap: