This week in Iowa organizing…
"I often thought about politics as something that just happened to us, but we do have a responsibility to get involved and make the changes we need happen."
That was a key take-away from our "People-Powered Politics" training in Dubuque over the weekend. With a possible government shutdown on the horizon and other things that seem out of our control, it's a good reminder that a lot of politics is in fact local, and there's power left on the table if we don't engage and get involved.
We know our communities best, and the solutions we need to the challenges we're facing in our backyards. By speaking up and staying involved, we can make change happen, as seen recently with:
the Mitchell County Conservation Board denying Summit survey access to a protected wildlife area,
Hardin County Supervisors joining an appeal of the Iowa Utilities Commission pipeline approval, and
Hamilton County once again stating there appears to be a "lack of public purpose" to Summit's project.
It's time to do politics differently. That starts and ends with us. Let's do it.
People before profits, politics, and polluters,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Member spotlight
Mike Farley
Polk County
What got you involved with CCI? What keeps you engaged/motivated? Who are you fighting for?
"I had been interested in preserving the environment since college, but in recent years it has become an existential crisis. That’s what led me to join Iowa CCI in 2018. I remember the work to push MidAmerican Energy to immediately close their 5 coal-powered electric generating plants across the state. They don’t need to operate them to provide Iowans electricity, but keep them running to sell electricity to other parts of the country for profit. We’re left to breathe the coal dust and live among the waste piles.
Most recently I’ve been involved in pushing back against factory farms and the corporate consolidation of agriculture, and of course Bruce Rastetter’s disastrous CO2 liquid pipeline proposal for Iowa and our neighboring states. Iowa’s soils, air and water cannot support life if there is not a change to how Iowa farms. The current model is not sustainable. Make no mistake – these and other issues are on the ballot in the upcoming elections, and the work continues to hold our public officials accountable after the election.
CCI allows you to get to know the people that are affected by the effects of the agricultural and environmental degradation we see every day. In our work with safe and affordable housing for all; health insurance for all and living wages for all workers----it was the people who came to CCI for help in making change in their communities. The work is hard; the resistance is powerful but the community makes it worth it and there is fun and laughs along the way."
Take action
September 24: Public School Strong Iowa (bonus Sept. 21 in Burlington!)
We believe that every child – no matter their zip code, background, race, gender, identity, or ability – has an equal right to a quality education. That means fully funding our public schools, urban and rural, and it means we need local school boards free from partisan politics.
And it'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. For our launch on August 27 & 28, nearly 100 of you joined us to learn more and discuss ways to take action to defend and strengthen Iowa’s public schools - thank you! Couldn't make it? Then join us on Tuesday, September 24 @ 6pm to be part of the growing movement! More info and RSVP here.
Bonus! Do you live in the Burlington area or will you be nearby on Saturday, September 21 at 10am? We'll be there along with the League of Women Voters of SE Iowa for a community meeting focused on this effort. RSVP here if you think you can join!
September 24: CO2 pipeline update & letter writing
On Tuesday, September 24 we are hosting a pipeline update & letter writing zoom call at 12PM. Join us to hear updates on the CO2 pipeline, learn what counties are doing to fight back, and learn how to file an objection with the Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC).
Let's show the IUC that we aren't backing down until they do the right thing and deny permits to Summit's greenwashing scam. Join us by registering here!
September 25 & 26: public health impacts of factory farms in the spotlight
Calling all factory farm watchdogs! The Harkin Institute for Public Policy and Citizen Engagement will be hosting a two-day conference exposing factory farms and the harms they pose to public health and our environment.
The event coincides with a new book being released from CCI allies Bob Martin (Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future) and Jim Merchant (former Dean, University of Iowa School of Public Health), and will feature panels chock full of leading movement thinkers and researchers.
Registration for the event is $100, with a $20 virtual option. But because you are a CCI member, you can use discount code ICCI and get $50 off the registration fee. If that wasn’t enough to sweeten the pot, everyone who attends will get a copy of the new book: Industrial Farm Animal Production, the Environment, and Public Health. More details and registration info here. Don’t forget to use code ICCI for that discount!
October 1: talking home improvements in Dubuque
Home rehabs and energy efficient retrofits can be pricey. If you find yourself in the situation of needing new gutters, roof repairs, or plumbing improvements you can be left with a pretty unmanageable bill. We also know that parts of Dubuque deal with higher energy bills.
If you've been thinking of doing a costly home rehab or energy efficient retrofit to your home now is the time to do so. On October 1st from 6-7:30pm we're going to be sharing resources with low to moderate income Dubuque homeowners like 0% interest home rehab loans, coming instant energy efficient project rebates, and home weatherization assistance programs.
This meeting will include sharing of these programs, identifying and making a plan to address any barriers that would make them hard to access for Dubuque homeowners, and connecting attendees to relevant offices, organizations, partners that will best fit to help them access homeowner programs. More information and RSVP to join us here!
Beginning October 5: 'The Education Wars' book tour
We love our public schools! But in Iowa (and across the country), extremist groups want to ban books, limit what educators can teach, and push private school vouchers. What’s behind these efforts threatening the foundations of public education?
Join CCI Action and author Jennifer Berkshire for a conversation on what we can do together to win honest, equitable, and fully-funded public education here in Iowa. Books will be available for purchase and author signing. We'll be criss-crossing the state from Ankeny to Tama to Cedar Rapids and more - check out dates and locations here.
Water Talk
Let's talk about water! Below we have a selection of some stories that caught our eye relating to water quality and ways to take action for our water.
Articles of interest:
500,000 people, one aquifer: Kootenai's only water supply faces challenges [KREM News]
Iowa seeks to remove dangerous lead water pipes [Public News Service]
2024 Iowa Water Summit
The Izaak Walton League is hosting the 2024 Iowa Water Summit in Des Moines on Tuesday, October 8 and we would love for you to join us there! There is a registration discount available through September 20 - only $20 for a full day of programming that includes coffee and lunch.
2024 Iowa Water Summit agenda
9-9:30 am : Check-in
9:30 am - 4:30 pm : Water Summit programming
4:30 - 5:30 pm : (optional) Social hour - cash bar
5:30 - 8 pm : (optional) Des Moines Izaak Walton League dinner & presentation
Click here to register for the Iowa Water Summit!
We also invite folks to stick around for the social hour so we can enjoy time together - in person! It's a great opportunity to connect, learn more, and enjoy community with like-minded water warriors.
If you have CCI swag - please wear it. If you don't have CCI swag, let us know when you register for the summit and we will get you a t-shirt.
Thank you for being part of the work to bring broad awareness to Iowa's water issues. We look forward to having you join us on October 8 for the 2024 Iowa Water Summit.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Threats to election workers as November nears detailed at congressional hearing [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
All petitions on abortion, school choice to appear on Nebraska's Nov. ballot [6News]
The Democrats are finally running a teacher. What took them so long? [The Nation]
Iowa's AEAs now charge fees for services. Some smaller rural schools could be losing out [Des Moines Register]
New CMD report: hundreds of public and GOP officials in eight battleground states stand ready to subvert the 2024 election results [Center for Media and Democracy]