This week in Iowa organizing…
Well, not too great news for Iowa last week.
Central Iowa Water Works issued its second-ever lawn watering ban in order to safely filter out nitrates from its drinking water for over 600,000 central Iowans. And the number beaches not recommended for swimming jumped to eight - a number that is only likely to increase over the coming weeks.
And for the first time, Iowa has fallen into the bottom half of states for public education. It's sadly not unexpected given that students have larger class sizes and fewer educational opportunities, as our public schools have been crippled by chronic underfunding.
We've got work to do to in order to reverse the trend of sacrificing our natural resources and public programs to line the pockets of corporate interests and the wealthy elite. But, as Bill Moyers (and others) said, only organized people can beat organized money.
So let's get to it,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
June 22: Public School Strong orientation
Fifteen school boards have passed our Public School Strong (PSS) resolution demanding the legislature fully fund public schools with a 5% increase in state aid. It also calls for an end to a private school voucher program that has cost Iowa taxpayers more than $1 billion in its first four years. Will your district be next?
Full funding for public schools starts with the school board. We invite you to join other Iowans at our next Public School Strong orientation at 7 p.m. June 22 on Zoom (register here).
Participants will learn more about what’s behind the attacks on public education and the purpose and goals of Public School Strong, while also receiving a free PSS t-shirt!
June 23: Statewide Data Center Organizing Call
Data centers are making headlines across the country, and everyday people are standing up in state after state to protect their communities, land, and water. Including here in Iowa.
CCI members overwhelmingly said this is an issue they're worried about. And, we’ve been hearing from people across the state who are concerned about AI data centers expanding in their area.
Join us on Tuesday, June 23 at 6:30PM for a statewide Data Center Organizing Call to learn more. Register here!
We know when everyday people come together to demand better for the people and places we love, we have the power to build the state we want to see.
July 25: Building the Iowa We Need statewide convention
Our convention is the one time of year when the CCI Action community gathers from across the state and issue campaigns to connect, celebrate, learn, strategize, and reenergize for the work ahead -- including this year’s midterm elections.
The election is critically important. And our eye is on the prize of the long-term, transformative changes we need.
It's been hard to watch as lawmakers have spent the last decade tearing down years of hard-fought progress one brick at a time. And in this we have real opportunity to re-envision and rebuild a much better Iowa and country.
Click here to register today! $25 early-bird registration includes speakers, workshops, lunch and more.
Whether you're a longtime CCI Action member, newly engaged in our work, or looking for a boost of inspiration in this moment - this event is for you!
Water Talk
8 beaches were designated as not recommended for swimming over the weekend. Central Iowa Water Works issued its second ever lawn watering ban for customers last week. CCI water testers recorded readings of 25 ppm in both Cedar Falls and Tiffin. And 24 of you became our latest water testers in the past week - thank you!
Join CCI’s water testers! For more information or to order a free test kit, you can visit CCI’s Nitrate Watch Water Testing page.
The water testing crew meets on the last Thursday of the month to share information and discuss what we are seeing in our data. Our next Zoom is June 25 at 5pm. Click here to register.
Articles of interest:
A water crisis has the 'poster boys' of Iowa farming ready to talk regulation [Inside Climate News]
Iowa Environmental Council says state clean water proposal has 'no substance' [Radio Iowa]
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Schools out! [Unfinished Business]
Iowa basic income program generates an outcome not found in other states: high levels of hope [IPR]
If being born here stopped being enough [The Anti-Authoritarian Playbook]
Iowa voters need to ask Zach Lahn some hard questions [Cedar Rapids Gazette]
Free to flourish, free to leave [Bleeding Heartland]