This week in Iowa organizing…
News over the past week about the wildfires in LA is devastating. As are the increasingly damaging effects of climate change and corporate greed.
Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected, which is many. Through our national partner, People's Action, we know of grassroots organizing groups on the ground in LA working to help folks survive and recover. If you'd like to chip in to support their efforts, you can do so here.
Speaking of corporate greed (and who government should work for), the Iowa state legislative session begins today! So please read on for what we expect to see at the statehouse, ways to take action, and more.
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
2025 legislative session begins
The Iowa legislature gaveled in today. Lawmakers will get assigned to committees and bills will start being introduced before lawmakers begin to dig-in on the issues that will dominate the session.
More will be known in the coming days, but expect a lot of talk about property taxes. And we will see if legislators continue to starve local governments of their ability to provide services to their residents (see here, here, or simply in your own community), or use their billions in the budget surplus and taxpayer relief fund to pay for their pet projects like school vouchers.
Another key issue we'll be keeping an eye on is what we're calling the "Cancer Gag Act." As we guessed, Bayer is coming back to try and make it harder for Iowans to sue should they be harmed from using their products like Roundup. Read more about this critical issue and let us know how you or your loved ones may be impacted here.
We'll keep you posted on statehouse matters in these weekly emails and occasional emails on key issues throughout the legislative session. And let us know if you're interested in going to the capitol to lobby legislators, or if you hear about a legislative forum happening back home in your district!
Take action
Seriously Reynolds!? Submit our application!
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, over $120 million has been dedicated for Iowa to assist homeowners in making their homes more energy efficient and reduce their energy bills. But Iowa has yet to apply for the federal funds.
Iowa's application has been sitting on Gov. Reynolds' desk for 5 months - that ain't right. This program would help Iowans by offering instant rebates to contractors and appliance outfitters for work on their homes or for the purchase of energy efficient appliances. We are one of only 6 states that hasn't submitted their application, and we must do so by the end of January.
Iowa needs to act now. Please take a moment to call the Governor's office at 515-281-5211 and tell them we need to submit our application for the Home Energy Rebate program now so Iowans can take advantage of these rebates.
Read more about this issue from CCI board member Barb Kalbach here.
45 counties have passed the Master Matrix - let's keep it going!
County Supervisors can weigh in on factory farm construction in your communities - but only if they submit the Master Matrix resolution to the Iowa DNR between Jan. 1 and Jan. 31. Read more about it in this Iowa Capital Dispatch article featuring CCI organizer Caitlin Golle!
The resolution isn't the end-all fix we need, but is an important tool in our organizing. This permitting application can be used to stop or slow the growth of the factory farm industry.
Contact your County Supervisors today! Tell them to pass the Master Matrix resolution and submit it to the Iowa DNR between January 1 and January 31. Check out a sample of the resolution here.
Jan. 28: Public School Strong orientation
Despite the increasing attacks on public education by politicians and corporate actors with deep pockets, everyday Iowans know that strong public schools are a cornerstone of our communities and democracy. By organizing in our neighborhoods and at local school board meetings, we can create positive, common sense solutions to address the real issues our schools are facing.
That's why we're part of Public School Strong - a national movement of parents, teachers, students, and community members pushing for honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public education. Check out recent news coverage featuring CCI Public School Strong leaders here!
Be a part of the growing movement! Join our next orientation session on Tuesday, January 28 at 6pm over Zoom. More info and RSVP here.
Des Moines moves to cut Office of Sustainability
Des Moines city government officials have eliminated staff positions and are poised to close the Office of Sustainability. Now is the time to invest more, not less, in our city’s sustainability infrastructure, especially in the face of increasing climate disasters and extreme weather.
Read more about this misguided move, lack of transparency by city officials, and ways to make your voice heard from our allies at the Iowa Environmental Council 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!
Misinformation spreads like wildfire online while LA neighborhoods burn [Inside Climate News]
Time to make some noise about cancer in Iowa [Art Cullen's Notebook]
To see how Trump will control the US media, look at Viktor Orban's Hungary [The Guardian]
"Classical education" narrows curriculum [Bleeding Heartland]
Should Des Moines, Raccoon, other rivers be on impaired list? DNR objects to EPA move [Des Moines Register]