This week in Iowa organizing…
On Saturday, millions took to the streets, parks, statecapitols, city halls and more to participate in the nationwide Hands Off mobilization.
Here in Iowa, thousands showed up in Des Moines, Mason City, Council Bluffs, Dubuque and more from east to west and north to south.
It's inspiring to see so many show up and speak out against the attacks on our government institutions and public programs that support the people we love and help our communities thrive.
With the U.S. House poised to vote on a budget that very likely will include hundreds of billions in cuts to Medicad, it's critical we continue to make our voices heard. We need to keep showing up, keep talking to our neighbors, and keep contacting our elected officials. And keep organizing.
So let's get to it,
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
A people-powered legislative funnel victory...
Last Thursday, the Iowa House adjourned without taking action on Senate File 394 - Bayer's 'Cancer Gag Act' - effectively killing the bill as April 4 was the second legislative funnel deadline.
Throughout the session, thousands of you urged legislators to oppose the bill because it would make it harder for everyday Iowans to pursue a lawsuit against billion-dollar corporations like Bayer if we get sick from using their products.
This is an important and inspiring victory against corporate power and billionaire interests! Thanks to all of you who weighed in over the last couple months on this issue. But we must stay vigilant - last session Rep. Bobby Kaufmann attempted to revive Bayer's bill during the waning days of the legislative session. We wouldn't be surprised if Bayer's lobbyists found someone to try the same thing again this session.
So keep contacting your state Representative on this issue in the coming days and weeks. And check here to see if there is a legislative forum coming up in your area. We know grassroots people-power is working on this issue, now is not the time to let up.
For an analysis of what survived, and what failed, the second legislative funnel deadline, read more at this summary in Iowa Capital Dispatch.
Take action
April 8: Mitchell County Supervisors meeting
The next step to protect the people and places we love in Mitchell County will be up for a vote on Tuesday, April 8 at 8:30am!
County Supervisors will vote whether to engage an attorney from Des Moines to write two ordinances that could create common sense protections from CO2 pipelines:
a Right of Way Ordinance, that protects infrastructure that has been paid for by taxpayers like roads and bridges
a Setback and Zoning ordinance, that protects future economic development for the County
Both of these ordinances include setback distances between the proposed pipeline and homes, businesses, conservation areas and more! RSVP to join us here.
April 21, 26 & 30: do you see yourself on your local school board?
One of the tools we have to protect public education is our school boards. We know that in order to win fully funded, honest, and equitable education, we need folks who share our values and responsive to their communities sitting in those seats. People just like you!
If seats like school board members didn't matter, groups like Moms for Liberty wouldn't be working so hard to take them over. That's why we’re holding a candidate training series for folks who are interested in running for their community’s school board, or for folks who are interested in helping others run.
This training will be a three-part series over Zoom on April 21, 26, & 30. Each 2 hour session will build on the previous session. Register here!
April 24: water quality meet-up in Cedar Falls
The correlation between cancer and nitrates in our water is hard to ignore. Testing for nitrates in our water is easy and free – it just requires time and a little dedication.
Meet with others in the Cedar Falls area who are interested in Iowa water quality and participating in nitrate testing with others in 2025!
When/Where: We'll meet in the upstairs meeting room at the Cedar Falls Library, 524 Main St, on April 24 from 4-5PM, with an option to participate in a zoom following the meeting from 5-6PM with others in the state who are involved as well.
Bring: Your curiosity and a neighbor, and a small sample of your tap water or local stream water in a clean sealed container to test if you can. We'll provide simple refreshments.
April 28: Public School Strong orientation
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 two ways you can plug in:
Join our next Public School Strong orientation session on Monday, April 28 at 6pm over Zoom. 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!
Everyday Iowans know that 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.
CCI's spring sustainer drive - 50 for our 50th!
We're at 25 new Sustainers so far! 50% to our goal - THANK YOU!
Now is the time to become a CCI monthly sustainer! Our community-led campaigns are more important than ever, and it’s critical that we fund the work ourselves.
Will you help us reach 50 new sustainers by April 15?
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 it allows us to take powerful positions and action, backed by members, that foundations may not support.
Click here to become a CCI Sustainer today! It’s easier on your budget, your time, and you make an impact all year long.
Thank you for helping Iowa CCI celebrate 50 years as a people-powered organization!
Bonus -- sign up as a new sustainer today and we'll send you our "People Power" wool socks, pictured above.
Join us for team building on April 16
Excitement for building regional teams to conduct water testing was identified at our March 27 meeting. The idea of developing a community of practice together was very popular so we are hosting a Zoom on April 16 for the sole purpose of working on this strategy.
Click here to get registered for April 16 at 5pm on Zoom!
At the last meeting we divided roughly into the 4 congressional districts - which was a good broad stroke to help form teams. This Zoom we will spend time fine tuning these connections and talking team logistics.
Learn more about this citizen science and order your Nitrate Watch test kit here! Spring rains are coming so it is time to start testing for those baseline nitrate numbers!
Click here to register for our next regular monthly meeting Thursday, April 24 at 5pm.
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!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Public schools build connections in rural communities. Vouchers tear them down [Barn Raiser]
The barons who rule what we eat [Mother Jones]
I'm chronically ill, but can hold a job at Sheetz thanks to Medicaid. Cuts would put me at risk [The Keystone]
Bernie Sanders hired an Iowa organizer. What he's working on now [Iowa Politics with Laura Belin]
American farmers and the USDA had finally embraced their role in the climate crisis. Then came the federal funding freeze [Inside Climate News]