This week in Iowa organizing…
Executive orders were not issued from the Trump administration threatening nonprofits he doesn't agree with last week. That doesn't mean he won't eventually do it, and we remain vigilant, resolved, and committed to fighting for the people and places we hold dear.
But last week we did learn that similar threatening behavior and intimidation was recently directed at one of our allies, the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ). In case you missed it, you can read more from them here.
We are in solidarity with Iowa MMJ and our immigrant communities. And we wholeheartedly agree that "we all have rights, we have each other's backs and we will not remain silent or intimidated by threats."
Stoking hatred and fear, and bullying those you don't agree with, are the tools of weak people trying to cling to their power. We see through it, will confront it, and we'll emerge stronger and on the right side of history.
La lucha sigue,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
Heading to overtime?
Lawmakers' per diem expenses end this Friday, May 2. But we're likely not to see them adjourn the session by then.
There's been no property tax overhaul bill agreed to by the House and Senate. An even bigger issue remaining is finalizing the state budget. Thanks to recent tax cuts, we know the state will be dipping into their reserves to cover projected revenue shortfall. And it's likely to get worse next year.
There have been more bills sent to the Governor's desk, one being legislation to help prevent frivolous lawsuits aimed at silencing critics. But Gov. Reynolds may very well take her time to sign that into law given her recent lawsuit against the Des Moines Register.
Over in North Dakota, Bayer celebrated by getting their "Cancer Gag" act passed. Let's make sure Iowa doesn't follow suit, so please keep contacting your state Representative on this issue. And if we're lucky, this unfortunate legislative session will end soon.
Take action
April 28 & 30: Public School Strong orientations (and more!)
Iowa’s public schools were once top ranked, but we’ve fallen behind because of chronic underfunding and poor leadership. But we're fighting back through our Public School Strong campaign to win honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public schools.
Here's ways you can plug in:
Join our next Public School Strong orientation session on Monday, April 28 at 6pm over Zoom. RSVP here!
Live in Lee County? Then join us at an in-person gathering in Keokuk to learn more about this campaign and ways to plug into the movement! Info and RSVP here.
Collect signatures to urge your local school board to pass a resolution calling on the Governor and legislature to fully fund our public schools at a 5% annual increase and to phase out private school vouchers. Learn more and add your name here!
Attend part 3 of our school board candidate training. Even if you missed an earlier session, you'll learn useful information on how to run (or help run) a winning campaign. April 30 at 5:30pm over Zoom, RSVP here.
We know strong public schools are a cornerstone of our communities and democracy. By organizing in our neighborhoods and at local school board meetings, we can create positive, common sense solutions to address the real issues our schools are facing.
May 1: May Day Strong
Every year, on May 1, workers from around the world celebrate the power of solidarity and fight for progress.This May Day, educators, students, parents, and allies are coming together because our lives, our neighbors, our public schools, and our health care are worth fighting for.
School "walk-ins" and rallies are being held across the country with several events being planned in Iowa. Click here to see the event closest to you, and if you're in Des Moines that evening, join the Iowa State Education Association and allies at 6pm for a rally at Goodrell Middle School (3300 E 29th St).
Weigh in on Medicaid work requirements
Earlier this month, Governor Reynolds requested a waiver from the federal government to impose burdensome work requirements for Iowans on Medicaid expansion (the Iowa Health and Wellness Plan). Her proposal would require people on this Medicaid plan to work 100 hours a month, be in school or job training, or be caring for a person with disabilities.
There are exceptions, but it's still a bad proposal that will kick people off of Medicaid. An overwhelming majority of adults on Medicaid are already working. What Reynolds won't say is that people will lose coverage through onerous reporting requirements or lost documentation.
Two public hearings remain, and Iowans may submit written comments by May 15 by emailing QIMP_Public_Comment@hhs.Iowa.gov and putting "1115 Work Requirement Amendment" in the subject line. More info can be found here.
CCI's spring sustainer drive - 50 for our 50th!
We're at 34 new Sustainers so far! 68% to our goal - THANK YOU! Could YOU help get us to our anniversary goal of 50 new monthly givers?
Now is the time to become a CCI sustainer! Our community-led campaigns are more important than ever, and it’s critical that we fund the work ourselves. People power is how we win back the Iowa we deserve.
Here’s why CCI Sustainers make such a difference:
It’s revenue we can count on. We know these donations will come in each month.
It gives us flexibility to seize moments and take on emerging organizing campaigns. More importantly, it also allows us to plan, to be forward-looking, and to be strategic.
It builds our strength. Member contributions, especially monthly pledges, mean we have more control over our work and take powerful positions and action.
Click here to become a CCI Sustainer today! It’s easier on your budget, your time, and you make an impact all year long.
Bonus -- sign up as a new sustainer today and we'll send you our "People Power" wool socks, pictured above.
Water Talk
CCI’s Citizen Scientists gathered online for our second monthly meeting of the 2025 season. Click here to check out the recording.
What are we seeing in testing already?
Over 60 test results have been recorded in the Clean Water Hub
There are high numbers in creek sampling and on a Des Moines tap.
Shout Outs!
To the team in Cedar Falls who gathered locally to strategize!
To the teams forming in Des Moines and Iowa City!
To new Citizen Scientists testing and recording data!
Resources
Record your data on the Clean Water Hub
Helpful EPA map for finding waters to test
Deltares app for recording nitrate data
Latest from Chris Jones - Don't Let Them Look Away
Click here to get registered for our next monthly Zoom on Thursday, May 29 at 5pm.
As we can see in the forecast, spring rain is here! Be sure to get out for those baseline tests and follow ups after weather. Learn more about this citizen science and order your Nitrate Watch test kit here!
Thanks for caring about and taking action for Iowa's water!
We want to hear from you!
This year is a big deal for all of us CCIers. It’s our 50th Anniversary--that’s something to celebrate! So we want to connect with members and find out what makes CCI special to you.
We’ve put together a very easy, quick survey to give us insights as we get ready for our big 50th celebration in July. We want to get responses from as many of our members as possible.
Please click on this link and let us hear from you—it’ll only take 2-3 minutes or so.
We're hiring!
Iowa CCI is looking to hire Community Organizers who have a strong desire to meet people where they are at, move people to action, help CCI build our people power, and win on issues.
Learn more and how to apply at iowacci.org/jobs
Save the Date
May 9 & 10: CCI Action Plant sale fundraiser
Well, we thought last year was our final year...but here we are again! Ben couldn't help himself with planting seeds, and we've got a new crew helping out AND a new host location.
As always, it's held the Friday & Saturday of Mother's Day Weekend. Organic veggie starts from several local growers, mostly heirloom varieties. Also, herbs, prairie plants, Iowa wildflowers, and other hearty yard perennial plant divisions.
Peruse this year's inventory here
The Facebook event is the best way to get updates. (We're looking for donations of half gallon and one-gallon pots!)
Early bird registration open for CCI's 50th!
We're hammering out the details, but we know we're turning 50 this year! We've got the Iowa Events Center reserved for July 25 & 26, and we want to see you there!
Save the date and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details - it'll be good! Know you'll be joining us regardless of the details? Then get the "early early bird" rate by signing up here today!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
University students speak out against anti-DEI actions at Board of Regents meeting [Iowa Capital Dispatch]
A billionaire budget boondoggle (by CCI board member Barb Kalbach) [Clinton Herald]
Roberts owns it all: from Citizens United to Trump's coup [The Hartmann Report]
Learning from the 1970 postal workers' strike [Jacobin]
The art of resistance: Trump's attack on humanities triggers a blowback movement [Salon]