This week in Iowa organizing…
A lot of news last week (and rightfully so) was about the massive cuts to Medicaid and SNAP included in the House budget bill proceeding through Congress. And it cannot be stated enough - cuts to programs for lower income folks to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.
Receiving less attention is the inclusion of a private school voucher scheme for the entire nation - even in states where they don't exist or voters have rejected them. Pushing private school vouchers as a stand-alone bill would likely never pass Congress regardless of who is in control, so they're trying to sneak it through reconciliation.
This is not "one big, beautiful bill." It's a billionaire's dream and everyone else's nightmare. But it's nowhere near a done deal, and folks across the country are speaking out (including tomorrow in Des Moines, see below!).
As much as some elected officials may not want to listen, it's our job to remind them they work for all of us, not just wealthy donors and corporate interests.
So let's keep at it,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
It's done
In the early hours of Thursday, May 15, the legislative session finally came to an end.
This session was a mixed bag for everyday people, and let's be honest, not a lot of good. BUT it could have been a lot worse if folks like you didn't speak out and speak up at the statehouse, in-district legislative forums, calls and emails and more. Thank you.
We're particularly excited about the Senate finally passing protections from eminent domain abuse (now to see if Reynolds will sign the bill) and Bayer felt the sting of defeat once again as their Cancer Gag Act failed to advance through the House. And it's likely a good thing lawmakers didn't pass property tax reform this year - given their track record of (not) getting things right it would have been very wrong for homeowners, municipalities, and our public schools.
For a good recap on what did and did not pass this legislative session, check out reporting from Iowa Capital Dispatch here.
Take action
May 20: Rep. Nunn office visit
Join Friends of Bernie Sanders and Iowans from the 3rd Congressional District as they share stories with Rep. Zach Nunn’s staff in a “rolling speak-out” at his office on Tuesday.
Nunn's staff only allows five people in his office at a time. So they are scheduling five people at a time in 30 minute shifts from 9am-1pm on Tuesday, May 20.
This is your chance to speak at length about why you are opposed to the proposed cuts to Medicaid and SNAP. Sign up for a shift here and organizers will be in touch with more details.
May 22: Examining the impact of tariffs on trade and agriculture
Join the Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy for a conversation on the state of trade and tariffs, with a focus on impacts on farmers and food. Their panel of experts will discuss what we know, what we don’t, and whether the tariff shocks offer any opportunities for positive transformation within a broken system.
Thursday, May 22 at 11am - register to attend here.
The Trump administration’s reckless approach to trade policy has sent shocks through markets worldwide and disrupted longstanding international relationships. In a deeply interconnected global food and agriculture system, extreme tariffs and market uncertainty will have far-reaching ripple effects, compounded by the administration’s domestic actions.
May 27: Public School Strong orientation
Our Public School Strong campaign is spreading across the state! We were in Keokuk at the beginning of May to ramp up the fight for fully funded public schools in the southeast corner of the state. And back in April, a CCI Public School Strong leader presented to a group in Wright County. An article about that meeting in the Clarion Wright Co. Monitor ended with:
"In the face of education and property tax policies that risk leaving small communities behind, it may be the quiet voices in the corners of rural rooms that rise up to shape Iowa’s future.”
Here's ways you can plug in and "rise up to shape Iowa's future":
Join our next Public School Strong orientation session on Tuesday, May 27 at 6pm over Zoom. School is about to be out for the summer, but our work doesn't stop. 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!
May 29 monthly Zoom, Memorial Day 48 lakes initiative
Click here to get registered for our monthly Zoom on Thursday, May 29 at 5pm.
We're excited to have Dr. Martin St. Clair joining as our guest speaker! He works at the University of Iowa in the CHEEC and IIHR Hydroscience & Engineering programs. He has a lot of experience with water monitoring in Iowa, and we can’t wait for you to hear from him. Get registered here!
And over Memorial Day Weekend, Driftless Water Defenders are requesting help to highlight the dire state of Iowa's lakes. Volunteers will be visiting 48 different lakes across Iowa over the holiday weekend to document what will likely be too-empty beaches, and highlight the loss of Iowa’s public waters to pollution. Watch the video at the 48 Lakes registration link to learn more about #NoSwimEra as part of the #48Lakes Initiative.
Resources
Record your data on the Clean Water Hub
Helpful EPA map for finding waters to test
Deltares app for recording nitrate data
Join CCI’s Citizen Science – click here for more info and to order a Nitrate Watch test kit
June 11: first book club read of 2025
We invite you to join us for a book club discussion on Wednesday, June 11 on Zoom. This time we picked The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World by bestselling author Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Elizabeth Gilbert writes, Kimmerer is “a great teacher, and her words are a hymn of love to the world.” The Serviceberry is an antidote to the broken relationships and misguided goals of our times, and a reminder that “hoarding won’t save us, all flourishing is mutual."
Sign up for the June 11 book club here. RSVPing is the best way to stay in the loop and get updates as we get closer to the date.
June 17: CCI open house
Have you ever wanted to see where the magic happens at Iowa CCI? Come by our Open House!
We love to show off our headquarters AND we are getting jazzed about our 50th anniversary celebration in July! RSVP to our open house and come check out our power place.
Applications close today!
Want to build the power of everyday people to win an Iowa where there is clean water and corporate ag polluters are held accountable, public schools are fully funded and taxpayer dollars aren't funneled to private schools, and the people and places we love are put before corporate greed? Then come work for us!
Learn more and how to apply at iowacci.org/jobs
Save the Date
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!
Coming from out of town and need a hotel for the night? We've booked a block of rooms at the Comfort Inn & Suites in downtown Des Moines. Click here to book your room or call them at 515-282-5251 and use the code: Iowa CCI
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Microsoft built 5 data center campuses in this Iowa city. Here's what Wisconsin can expect [Wisconsin Public Radio]
Congress began losing power decades ago - and now it's giving away what remains to Trump [The Conversation]
Bayer seeks Roundup settlement, explores Monsanto bankruptcy, WSJ reports [Reuters]
This is not what democracy looks like (by CCI board member Barb Kalbach) [Indianola Independent Advocate]
Six reasons why the House budget bill will hurt rural America [Barn Raiser]