This week in Iowa organizing…
Last Tuesday, nearly 80 of you braved the weather to attend our People’s Lobby Day at the Iowa statehouse. Despite the rain, freezing rain, snow, and fog, you showed up from nearly all corners of the state – from Council Bluffs to Mason City, Dubuque to Cedar Falls, Polk county and more.
We got to know each other better and prep for the day before taking action under the golden dome. Members gave powerful testimony during a rally in the first floor rotunda, which got good press coverage. Folks were able to talk with a good amount of lawmakers on our key issues, and one thing we heard from lawmakers in both parties is that they're receiving thousands of emails and phone calls on issues, especially on AEA's, and that they are making a difference. So thank you, and please keep it up.
It felt great to go back to the “people’s house” and take action together. We know we’ve got a lot of work to do ahead of us given what’s happened at the legislature recently, but we made our voices heard on Jan. 23. I'm humbled and inspired by all you do to take action for the people and places we love. Let's keep at it.
Onward,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
Funnel is in sight, setting up a repeat of 2022?
The first legislative funnel is coming up on February 16, so expect to see a flurry of activity over the coming weeks to winnow down the legislation lawmakers will actually act on this session. And a reminder that tax and spending bills aren't subject to the funnel, so it's likely to remain quiet on that front for a little while longer.
Governor Reynolds' proposal to overhaul our AEA's will continue to take up a lot of attention leading up to the funnel, especially since she just offered an amendment supposedly in response to Iowan's concerns. The only problem? Her amendment falls far short of what Iowans have voiced and what our AEA's and students need.
It's becoming even clearer that Gov. Reynolds wants to reshape our state under her vision regardless of what Iowans actually want. And that she'll go to great lengths to make it happen. Don't be surprised if she weighs in on Republican primaries this summer if lawmakers don't willingly do her bidding - much like she did in 2022 on private school vouchers.
On another note, good bills to restrict eminent domain abuse by CO2 pipeline companies have been introduced! Stay tuned to our emails for more details on these and ways you can weigh in. And if you haven't emailed your Representative and Senator to reinstate water quality testing, take a moment to do so here!
Update!
Des Moines City Council - the voters will decide!
Victory!! On Monday, January 22, the Des Moines City Council voted to hold a special election to fill Connie Boesen’s at-large council seat.
This didn’t happen by accident and was never guaranteed. The council had two choices – fill her seat by appointment or hold a special election. Thanks to all of your calls, emails, signatures collected on petitions and more, they chose to let the voters decide.
The special election will take place on March 19 and candidates will need to file their nomination paperwork by February 23. Let’s take a moment to celebrate and then make sure a candidate who will put people first and take bold action on our issues gets into office.
Take action
It's crunch time! 2 days left to pass the Master Matrix
County supervisors can weigh in on factory farm construction in your communities - but only if they submit the Master Matrix resolution by January 31.
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 they need to pass the Master Matrix resolution and submit it to the Iowa DNR by January 31. You can check out a sample resolution here.
Feb. 5: Take action for housing in Dubuque!
City leaders in Dubuque have a choice coming up soon - maintain the status quo, or prepare for the future and ensure better housing conditions for our community.
Dubuque currently has 3.75 equivalent full time inspectors to oversee 15,000+ rental units. Additional housing and rental units are on the rise and that ratio could get even worse.
That's why Dubuque city leaders should move to hire two additional housing inspectors to meet the backlog of the present and be prepared for the future. And on February 5, we're going to city council and tell them just that! Register to join us and make your voice heard here!
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!
Feb. 14: join us for treats and thank-you calls
We are looking for volunteers to help us spread some love on Valentine's Day - Wednesday, February 14!
We're holding a Thank-A-Thon phone bank from 1-6 PM at our office in Des Moines. Come by for some sweet treats, socialize with staff and other volunteers, and help us make calls to show our appreciation for the people who make CCI such a powerful force for good!
These will be easy calls to thank folks that have been involved with CCI recently. We had some great conversations last year! A thank you without an ask is a good call to receive. Whether you only have time for a treat and a couple of calls, or want to hang out with us all afternoon, we would love to see you on the 14th!
To RSVP, or if you have any questions, please give us a call at (515)255-0800 or email kim@iowacci.org. (This helps make sure we have enough snacks for everyone.) If you want to help out but can’t make it in to the office, reach out and we can talk about remote options!
Feb. 15: No CO2 pipelines in Floyd or Mitchell counties!
CO2 pipelines are a new and unproven technology being pushed by already wealthy, greedy corporations. They’re dangerous to our health, communities, and the environment - and are threatening to take Iowan’s land for private gain.
Join CCI members and local residents for an informational meeting about the proposed CO2 pipelines in Mitchell and Floyd counties and discuss how we can take action to protect our communities from pipeline profiteers!
We'll be meeting at the South Square in St. Ansgar on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 6pm. Register here to join us!
Water testing with Nitrate Watch
Interest in citizen driven water testing continues to grow, as does the partnership between Iowa CCI and Izaak Walton League's Nitrate Watch. Information about the program and how to order a test kit can be found by clicking this link.
Winter is a good time for testing tap water from public utilities and private wells. It is also a good time to work on a monitoring plan for testing outdoors after the thaw. Nitrate Watch has this great worksheet you can use to create your plan.
Please join us to test water, collect data, and get loud about the water quality issue in Iowa! We won't stop until Iowa gets the clean water we pay for and deserve.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
North Carolina's legislature wants to destroy public schools [Jacobin]
For local control [Storm Lake Times Pilot]
State regulators poised to decide Summit pipeline permit [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Losers, quitters, and the only one who wins [In These Times]
Quantitative easing and its aftermath [New Internationalist]