This week in Iowa organizing…
I'm not the biggest fan of April Fools' Day, especially since 2016 when that was the day that Iowa privatized its entire Medicaid program. Read more about this and another anniversary from CCI member Barb Kalbach here.
Healthcare and food assistance seem to be on the chopping block quite a bit these days as lawmakers in D.C. cater to their billionaire buddies and special interests. And, as fellow CCI member Kim Hagemann writes, "there's always enough money for war and oppression."
Yet, and as turnout at events across the country over the weekend helped show, more and more everyday people are rejecting business-as-usual politics that leaves our neighbors and loved ones behind while the elite profit. We will take to the streets, the doors, and not too far off - the ballot box.
Read on for some news from the statehouse, upcoming events and ways to take action, and more,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
Less than four weeks remain as the Iowa legislature is scheduled to adjourn on April 21. But as we've seen in recent years, that may not be the case. Lawmakers still seem unclear about what their plan for property tax reform will be to sell to voters come this fall. And given their abysmal record on public schools, water, and more this session, they won't have much meaningful to "sell."
But it's not all bad news - last week, there were two good updates from the statehouse. The first is that the Cancer Gag Act bill died for the third year in the row. Despite pressure from corporate lobbyist representing Bayer-Monsanto and other industry groups, legislators didn't move the bill. Thank YOU to everyone who took action to keep this bill dead.
And there's good news on HF2104, the no eminent domain bill. It has been placed on the “Unfinished Business” calendar meaning the Senate can still debate and vote on this bill after the March 30 deadline. You can contact your Senator here to keep the pressure on and protect the people and places we love from dangerous CO2 pipelines!
A few more ways to take action:
Join us this Wednesday, April 1, or our next (and last of the year?) lobby day. This is when lawmakers will be digging in on state budgets and other spending bills - let's remind them that public money should be used for the public good! More info and RSVP to join us here.
Can't join us April 1? Then make a phone call for Iowa's water! Our allies are organizing a call-in day to push lawmakers to fund the Iowa Water Quality Information System (IWQIS), a network of 60 water quality monitors in Iowa that provides real-time, continuous data about the level of nitrates in our water. Find your lawmakers and capitol switchboard numbers here.
Still funnel proof:
HF 2709: would allow farmers the "right to repair." Read more on this from Iowa Farmers Union president Aaron Lehman here.
HF 2687: would provide funding to retrofit up to 100 existing private wells with groundwater monitoring equipment, more than doubling the approximately 60 wells currently monitoring our groundwater.
HF 2711: would remove several affirmative action and equal opportunity measures currently required under Iowa state law.
HF 2296: would take local control away from municipalities by prohibiting them from issuing Community IDs to their residents.
Take action
Tomorrow - March 31: Public School Strong Resolution strategy session
In the last 10 years, the Governor and state legislature have underfunded our schools by passing a paltry state supplemental aid rate (SSA) of just 2% on average, not enough to keep up with inflation. They are asking our schools to do more and more with less and less and we are at a breaking point.
Imagine if we had 100 districts pass our Public School Strong (PSS) resolution to help set the stage for the November elections and 2027 legislative session? Join us over Zoom on Tues, March 31 to learn about the campaign and how to bring our PSS resolution to your district.
April 6: Iowa needs its water sensors
Iowa’s real-time nitrate water sensor network is in danger of losing funding on June 30. But Iowa state legislators have the power to restore its funding this session.
Larry Weber, Director of the IIHR-Hydroscience and Engineering and the creator of the water quality sensor network, will share why the network is important for Iowa, especially small municipalities in rural counties.
Organized by our allies Jefferson County Farmers & Neighbors, Inc., more info and RSVP here.
April 11: training to fight authoritarianism
On April 11, Iowa CCI will be partnering with Iowa Movement for Migrant Justice, Indivisible 515, and Iowa NICER to host a free half-day training in Des Moines on fighting authoritarianism.
In this training, you'll learn what authoritarianism looks like, what movements have done around the world to fight back against authoritarians and win, and how you can take action with local groups in Iowa to protect democracy. Learn more and RSVP here.
April 25: People's Candidate Forum in Davenport
At CCI Action, we believe candidates need to hear from everyday people about the problems we face and how to solve them.
That’s why we are excited to announce that we will be holding a People’s Candidate Forum in Davenport featuring US Senate candidate Zach Wahls and 1st Congressional District candidate Travis Terrell! Register here to join us!
As the 2026 elections approach, it's our job lift up the experiences of everyday Iowans and push for the solutions we deserve. This forum is an opportunity to make your voice heard.
Iowa needs poll workers
The primary election is June 2 and the November midterms are not far behind. Are you looking for a meaningful way to participate in our democracy? Can you spare two days to perform a critical civic duty and be an Election Hero? Consider being a poll worker - learn more and sign up here.
Water Talk
Thanks to everyone who joined us last week for the first monthly water testing Zoom of the 2026 season! It was a great launch meeting with lots of new and familiar faces!
If you are interested in testing water for nitrates but missed the Zoom, here’s a link to the recording. If you are looking for more information about the program or to order a free test kit, you can also visit CCI’s Nitrate Watch Water Testing page here.
Spring rain is coming so the time to get those baseline tests is now! Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions-kim@iowacci.org. Thanks for caring about Iowa's water quality!
Important resource links:
www.cleanwaterhub.com/nitratewatch - log your data and connect it to CCI
Make a Plan worksheet – handy resource to make a monitoring plan
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Summit sold its Midwest pipeline as a carbon solution. Now, it'll be used for fossil fuels [Inside Climate News]
Iowa environmental, ag advocates work to keep water monitoring flowing [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
Illinois is taking a close look at the potential effects of the data center boom [The Daily Yonder]
"No Kings," no risk, no change. The protest ritual that lets America feel brave without doing anything [Dr Stacey Patton]
The human and financial costs rack up as immigration detention expands [NPR]