This week in Iowa organizing…
Last week brought some good news in local, people-powered, organizing victories across the state!
First, school boards in the Albia and Belmond-Klemme school districts voted to pass our resolution calling on the legislature to fully fund public schools and phase out the private vouchers. Folks like you have presented at dozens of school board meetings and have been met with gratitude from school board members thankful for such visible community support.
Then up north in Mitchell County, their conservation board voted to file a formal objection with the Iowa Utilities Commission against Summit Carbon Solutions request to use eminent domain to build through the Nelson Paradise Wildlife Area. Said CCI member Ashlie from Osage, "Public land belongs to all of us, and the board made sure to listen to the public when making decisions about the land."
Congrats to the CCI members and others who helped make these victories happen. People power is how we win!
Read on for ways to take action, what we're reading, and more,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
Take action
Nov. 19: Public School Strong strategy meeting
We’ve submitted resolutions to several school boards and passed three so far calling on the legislature to fund public education at 5% annually and phase out the private vouchers. We’ve met thousands of people across Iowa who know the critical importance of our public schools.
But how do we keep this momentum going and build a grassroots force to be reckoned with? Join us on Nov 19 at 7pm over Zoom to share what we’ve learned across school districts and help brainstorm how we can build the power needed to win a statewide increase in funding for public schools. RSVP here.
Nov. 22: Marshalltown Clean Water meeting
We know Iowa's water is in trouble. We also know there are solutions that can get us on track to cleaner, safer water. What Iowa lacks when it comes to our water crisis is political will.
That's where everyday people, like you and me, come in. On Saturday, November 22 at 2pm we'll be meeting at the Marshalltown Public Library to talk about how we can take action to protect our water.
At this meeting we will dig in on CCI Action's legislative priorities for next session and discuss ways we can keep building the momentum for real action on our water. RSVP to join us here!
Tell Rep. Hinson - NO pesticide immunity
In the 2025 legislative session Iowans across party lines came together to oppose Bayer's Cancer Gag Act which would grant chemical manufacturers immunity from lawsuits filed by Iowans with cancer, Parkinson’s disease, and birth defects caused by exposure to pesticides or other chemicals.
Now that the government shutdown has ended, the federal version of this bill- hidden within the language of the House Interior appropriations bill- could be voted on soon. Please take a few minutes to let Appropriations Committee member Rep. Ashley Hinson to vote NO on allowing pesticide manufacturers immunity in the appropriations bill.
Rep. Hinson’s DC office: (202) 225-2911
Tell AT&T - drop your ICE contract
ICE and Customs and Border Protection are terrorizing our communities. No one is safe when masked armed agents of the state without badges can drive armored vehicles around our neighborhoods taking people off the street, childcare centers and school grounds, sometimes throwing tear gas canisters at people in our neighborhoods.
AT&T has had multimillion-dollar contracts with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Join folks across the country demanding AT&T drop the contracts and stop profiting from our pain - add your name here.
CCI Action 2025 year-end campaign - join us!
Our year-end campaign is our week-long, power building party! It's our biggest fundraiser and membership drive of the year and is critical to growing CCI Action's membership.
The week of Dec 1 - 5 members and staff will be working together to renew current CCI Action members, and ask new people to join our movement. Calls are a great way to connect with members and others across the state and raise funds to do the work. We will have soup, snacks, and loads of fun!
In Des Moines, we have two shifts daily Mon-Thurs from 12-3pm and 5-8pm, and a 12-3pm shift on Dec 5. Tuesday Dec 2 will be Public School Strong day on the phones in Des Moines and we'll also have remote phone banks in Iowa City and Grafton.
Sign up here to join a phone bank.
P.S. Check your mailbox! Our big annual team fundraiser kicks off Dec. 1. Our goal: to raise $65K by Dec. 5 to expand our organizing power in 2026. You'll be hearing more soon, but no need to wait: donate here - it'll be matched! A huge thank you to the 22 member volunteers who helped us assemble the mailing!
Dec. 9: Pre-legislative session dig-in
The 2025 state legislative session was a whirlwind of activity, with mixed results on policy that impact the people and places we love. However, a key defining victory of last session was Iowans coming together to defeat Bayer's "Cancer Gag Act."
We want to go into 2026 committed and ready to defeat Bayer again, and discuss other priorities we'll be lifting up like restoring funding for water quality monitoring sensors, increasing funding for local conservation practices, and funding to map our aquifers.
On December 9 at 6 PM we'll be joined by Iowa Farmers Union Executive Director Matt Russell. He'll help us differentiate between Big Ag and farmers that are trapped in the system and how federal cuts are impacting conservation practices in Iowa. RSVP to join us on Dec. 9 here!
Dec. 15: Public School Strong orientation
Thank you to all of you who have signed our petition urging our local school boards to pass resolutions calling on the legislature to fully fund our public schools and to phase out private school vouchers that funnel public money to private schools.
We want to go into 2026 with even more folks prepared to defend and strengthen our public schools. That's why we invite you to join other Iowans to our last Public School Strong (PSS) orientation of the year on Mon, Dec 15 at 7 pm on zoom.
At this meeting folks will learn more about what’s behind the attacks on public education, the purpose and goals of Public School Strong, and receive a free PSS t-shirt! RSVP here.
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
The 2 factors driving your healthcare costs higher and higher [Vox]
Trump officials set to approve 'forever chemical' as pesticide ingredient [The Guardian]
Rural America has a plan. Congress needs to show up [Other Words]
Iowa food companies routinely violate water pollution permits - and rarely face penalties [Sentient Media]
3 takeaways from a town hall on Iowa water quality at Drake University [Des Moines Register]
BONUS: What we're listening to - Biogas digesters for manure with Patty Lovera [Canary in a Cornfield]