This week in Iowa organizing
I didn't think I'd ever say 30 degrees almost felt like a heat wave, but here we are. Hope you all are able to enjoy the break from the subzero temperatures, maybe get out to do some postponed shoveling, or however you wanted to celebrate the return to 'normal' temperatures.
I'm ready to get out, that's for sure. First up? Our "People's Lobby Day" at the statehouse tomorrow! So let's just get to it. Read on for that and more ways to take action this week.
Onward,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the statehouse…
Speaking out of both sides of their mouths...
Well, perhaps we didn't read the tea leaves accordingly when determining this legislative session would be dominated by talks of tax cuts, Area Education Agencies, and Reynolds power-grab to consolidate state boards and commissions.
That's because I guess the new target in some lawmakers eyes is local control. According to a few Republican Representatives, it seems the gravest threat facing our state is local communities implementing guaranteed basic income programs. Or to let local communities determine where maternity homes can operate, and don't even get them started on whether cities and counties can weigh in on conversion therapy bans. Or CO2 pipelines...
But Gov. Reynolds sure does want schools to have a choice when it comes to their AEAs, supposedly. But only after closing some of them, and opening the door for further privatization of our public schools and services.
We'll keep at it, next up being our lobby day at the statehouse tomorrow - read on for that, and stay tuned to emails for timely ways to take action (including tomorrow if you can't join us in person!).
Take action…
Tues. Jan. 23: The People’s Lobby Day
We're heading back to the statehouse! We'll remind lawmakers they work for us and call for bold action on preventing eminent domain abuse from CO2 pipeline profiteers, real efforts to clean up Iowa's water, the freedom to read, tenant protections from abusive landlords and out-of-state corporations, and more.
And we'll be joined by Annie's Foundation in the first floor rotunda that afternoon for a banned-book giveaway!
You can still join us tomorrow, Jan. 23 for our 'People's Lobby Day'!
We'll gather together at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center at 11:30am that day to share food, community, and prep for the day. Then we'll head to the capitol and take action for our people and planet.
Live near Dubuque or the Iowa City area? There's still room to sign up to 'hop on the bus' here. Reply to this email if you want a ride from Mason City - there's still room in the van!
Feb. 10: what is 'People Powered Politics'?
At CCI Action, we do politics differently, but what do we mean when we say that?
Join us for a training to dig-in together on what we really mean when we talk about movement politics, movement candidates, and co-governing, and how we build our power through elections and endorsements. To be the strongest organization we can be, we need to make sure we share not just language, but ideals and goals. And a plan to win.
What: People-Powered Politics Training (lunch provided)
When: Saturday, February 10th; 10:00AM-4:00PM
Where: CCI Office, 2001 Forest Ave, Des Moines
Why: To get ourselves clear on what movement politics is, why we do it, and how we use elections as tools to build our people power.
Save your spot! Click here to join us on Feb. 10!
Just over 1 week left! Has your county passed the Master Matrix?
County supervisors can weigh in on factory farm construction in your communities - but only if they submit the Master Matrix resolution between January 1 and January 31.
Nearly 1/3 of Iowa counties have yet to pass the Master Matrix!
The Master Matrix resolution is not the end-all fix but rather an important tool in our organizing kit. This permitting application can be used to stop or slow the factory farm industry with your help.
Contact your County Supervisors today and tell them to pass the Master Matrix resolution and submit it to the Iowa DNR between January 1 and January 31. You can check out a sample resolution here.
No manure on snow-covered or frozen ground!
Snow is still on the ground all over Iowa, so that means factory farms cannot apply liquid manure to fields!
From December 21 to April 1, factory farms with 500 or more animal units (at least 1,250 finishing hogs, 500 steers, or 357 dairy cows) cannot apply liquid manure on ground covered with an inch or more of snow or one-half inch of ice. Starting Feb. 1, liquid manure application on frozen ground is restricted.
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 karsen@iowacci.org.
Updates…
Update on water testing!
Over 50 people have requested water test kits through the partnership between Iowa CCI and Izaak Walton League's Nitrate Watch. Thank you for participating in this people powered community driven science! Information about the program and how to order a test kit can be found by clicking this link.
While winter is not the best time for testing outdoor waters, tap water from public utilities and private wells can be tested. Winter is also a good time to work on a monitoring plan for the spring thaw. Nitrate Watch has this great worksheet you can use to create your plan.
As the clean water issue continues to bubble up in the media (such as articles like this) and local politics, let's keep amplifying the message until Iowa gets the clean water we pay for and deserve.
We are excited about the partnership with Nitrate Watch to get test kits to citizen scientists. Please join us to test water, collect data, and get loud about the water quality issue in Iowa!
What we’re reading…
To the corporate media, workers may as well not exist [Jacobin]
The dog ate my farm bill and other Republican excuses [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Alongside soaring global temperatures, growing oil and gas drilling and profits [Common Dreams]
Ron DeSantis helped change Iowa for the worse [Bleeding Heartland]
Panel: worker shortage among the challenges of providing child care in Minnesota [MinnPost]