This week in Iowa organizing…
A city I called home for 15 months is under siege. People are being brutalized, some have been killed. I still have family and friends in Minneapolis, and I'm sure many of you do as well.
What is happening is not right. It is not who we are and can be as a society. Those in power wielding violence against our communities and loved ones want us to accept that this is how things need to be. It does not, should not, and cannot.
We will not be silent. Right now, the U.S. Senate is considering a funding bill that would add hundreds of millions for increased ICE enforcement and detention. Please take a moment to contact Senators Grassley and Ernst urging them to vote NO on this bill unless dollars for additional ICE operations are taken out. Then consider adding your name to this letter organized by our allies at Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice and Interfaith Alliance of Iowa.
Our communities deserve safety, dignity, and accountability – not more violence and blank checks for ICE. Read on for more ways to take action and opportunities to build community.
In resistance and solidarity,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
Today kicks off the third week of the legislative session. With the deadline passing for lawmakers to request bill drafts, we expect the next couple weeks will see more introductions of bills and subcommittees scheduled. A reminder that you can find your lawmakers and their contact info here.
Here's a snapshot of some of the key bills we're tracking so far:
The good:
HF 2104: would ban the use of eminent domain for CO2 pipelines. Passed the House of Representatives, awaiting to be considered in the Senate.
SF 2008: would make private schools utilizing vouchers to have the same transparency and reporting requirements as public schools. Assigned subcommittee, but no meeting scheduled.
The 'meh':
Iowa Healthy Water Act: a proposal by House Democrats to begin addressing Iowa's water quality issues. Includes restoring funding to water quality sensors and increased conservation, but keeps in place Iowa's failed voluntary nutrient reduction strategy. Awaiting a bill number.
The bad:
SF 2067: would allow a pipeline company to change their route to go around landowners who don't want to sign voluntary easements, but wouldn't take away the risks of rupture or impact on water usage. Assigned subcommittee.
HF 2041: would force local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE. Subcommittee scheduled for Jan. 28 at noon.
HF 2042: would study merging the Iowa DNR and Department of Land Stewardship. With DNR understaffed and underfunded, we're concerned how combining these departments would further tilt policy and enforcement in favor of big ag. Introduced, awaiting subcommittee.
In Des Moines on Feb. 4? Join us for our next trip up to the statehouse for citizen lobbying!
Take action
Jan 27: Legislative 101
This 101 is designed to demystify the legislative process - for newbies and seasoned citizen lobbyists.
We'll cover the basics of the legislative session, and use a bill we're currently monitoring to illustrate how the process works, including steps along the way where citizen lobbyists can have an impact. There will be plenty of time for questions! RSVP here
Jan 29: Farm & Environment monthly organizing meeting
We will be coming together each month through the end of the legislative session to learn about the issues related to land & water and strategize about next steps.
On Jan. 29 we'll be joined by Kat Ruane, a researcher at Food & Water Watch. She is the author of several pieces on factory farm gas and Iowa’s water quality crisis, and most recently worked on FWW’s new map displaying the locations of all anaerobic digesters operating in California’s Low-Carbon Fuel Standard Program.
At this meeting she will give an overview of factory farm biogas and how the Low-Carbon Fuel Standard is driving factory farm expansion. RSVP to join us then share this meeting with others who care about creating a better food & farm system!
Feb. 2: Public School Finance 101
Want to get a better understanding of your local school district's budget and how public schools are financed? You are in luck!
David I. Backer, associate professor of education policy at Seton Hall University and author of As Public as Possible: Radical Finance for America's Schools will join us for an online presentation on Feb. 2 at 7:30pm. RSVP to join us here.
“David Backer has accomplished the seemingly impossible here, making the complex issue of school finance not just accessible, but provocative and inspiring.”—Jennifer Berkshire, co-author of A Wolf at the Schoolhouse Door and The Education Wars
Feb. 10-13: Iowa CCI's week of love and thank-a-thon
We’re turning what’s usually a one-day event into a “Week of Love”, and we would LOVE to have you join us!
Our amazing community comes together every year to call our membership list to connect and spread gratitude for all their hard work and support. RSVP to make calls with us!
We’ll be phone banking at the CCI office in Des Moines to connect with members and thank them. These calls are super easy and fun to make. If you have any questions, email kim@iowacci.org or give us a call at 515-255-0800.
Feb. 12: Clean Water meeting w/ Prof. Rosburg
CCI is hosting a clean water meeting with Drake professor Tom Rosburg on February 12 from 6-7:30PM at the Toledo Public Library. Tom is an Ecology and Botany Professor and long time prairie warrior fighting for Iowa's most vulnerable ecosystems.
Join us to learn more about the state of Iowa's water, how it effects our local ecosystems and our health, and the positive impacts of prairie systems on our water. RSVP to join us here.
Feb. 19: Our water, our health rally & lobby day
During the 2026 legislative session it’s our job to keep the Cancer Gag Act dead and to push for common sense policies – like restoring funding for water quality monitoring and increasing funding to map our aquifers.
On February 19 from 1 - 4pm we'll be joining with our allies at Food & Water Watch and Progress Iowa for a lobby day to tell our legislators it's time to take meaningful action to protect our water and crack down on big ag polluters. RSVP to join us here.
We're Hiring!
Iowa CCI is looking to hire a Community Organizer who has a strong desire to meet people where they are at, move them to action, help CCI build our people power, and win on issues.
Learn more and how to apply at iowacci.org/jobs
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Condition of the State: Code Blue [Storm Lake Times Pilot]
Don't let them tell you that was self-defense [Slate]
Responding to Senator Ken Rozenboom's comments on nitrates [Bleeding Heartland]
Tech CEOs have been quiet on ICE. Their workers want them to speak up [USA Today]
Trump's E.P.A. has put a value on human life: zero dollars [The New York Times]