Category: Iowa State Government - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Iowa Is Better Than This! - After Action Report

6/7/2022

Iowa Is Better Than This! - After Action Report

On February 16th PACG was one of the sponsors of the "Iowa Is Better Than This!" event, lamenting the state's recent discriminatory legislation. Initiated by One Human Family - QCA, other sponsors included the American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Iowa, the Interfaith Alliance of Iowa & Action Fund, and the League of Women Voters of Iowa.

As a reminder on the details of the event, here is our original After Action Report on "Iowa Is Better Than This!"

The hybrid event - online and Zoom - produced a 30-minute recording that has now been edited by One Human Family into just over six minutes. View the video here.

Allison Ambrose

"Iowa Is Better Than This!" After Action Report

2/18/2022

Iowa Is Better Than This! After Action Report

One Human Family - QCA, PACG and other organizations

On February 16th, hundreds of people from across the state of Iowa participated in the "Iowa is Better than This" public lamentation over some of the discriminatory legislation that has been introduced or signed into law during the 2021 Iowa legislative session.

PACG was a proud co-sponsor of this event which allowed various progressive groups from across the state to connect in this effort.

Participants read paragraphs of lament (see attachment below) over various issues such as voting rights, gun accessibility and LGBTQ+ discrimination from various locations across the state, including Davenport, Iowa City, Dubuque, Sioux City, Waterloo and Des Moines. Attendees watched virtually. After each paragraph was read, participants and attendees were asked to recite the response: "Iowa is Better than This!"

Attendees flooded the Zoom webinar with comments in Chat. About halfway through the event we saw this very typical comment: "I feel so much better than I did thirty minutes ago! Thank you for doing this!"

We have received some good press about this event. Check out this article from the Courier in Waterloo.

Other actions that you might consider in support of this work include:

1) Search Facebook (if you have an account) to see if there are like-minded advocacy organizations in your community and subscribe to their page(s) and groups.

2) Subscribe to the Iowa Legislature's Bills & Rules Watch Email Alerts to monitor new and current proposed bills by registering your email at https://www.legis.iowa.gov/portal/subscriptions

3) Most importantly, share your opinions and experiences with others. Your passion is needed to ignite the actions that must take place in order for us to return to “Iowa Nice”.

A famous rabbi once said, “It is not your duty to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” Thank you for being an important part of this effort!

Allison Ambrose

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Contact Iowa State Legislators Regarding Progressive Values - What You Can Do Now

2/23/2021

Contact your Iowa State Legislators
Iowa State House

Voting Rights and Civil Rights

Legislation has been introduced in the Iowa Legislature that affects progressive values.

House File 590 impacts the ability of Iowans to vote:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search/document?fq=id:1213531&q=HF+590

House File 222 proposes that information found in the “1619 Project” regarding the history of slavery in America be banished from public school's curriculum:
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/publications/search/document?fq=id:1210570&q=HF+222

Contact your Iowa State Legislators to express your views on both of these bills by visiting the links above. Legislators have indicated that contact by email is the most effective way to reach them.

Allison Ambrose

Of Interest to Our Community - IFL Files OSHA Complaint

2/2/2021

Iowa Federation of Labor Files OSHA Complaint Against Legislative Leadership - Action Alert

Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

https://www.iowaaflcio.org/take-action

The Iowa Federation of Labor AFL-CIO has filed an OSHA complaint against the leadership of the Iowa House and Senate regarding their reckless disregard for the safety of workers there, and the well-being of everyone that enters the Capitol.

The leadership has refused to enact or enforce a mandatory mask policy for those that work or visit the legislature. As the seat of our state government, the Iowa State Capitol is an important, busy, and large workplace, which should set the example of how Iowans should conduct business - including the important business of government - in a safe and responsible manner.

This lack of concern is a blatant avoidance of the seriousness of this pandemic and has accelerated the spreading of it. Iowa is 7th worst in the nation regarding COVID-19 cases. Several other states have a mandatory mask policy or have closed in-person sessions.

The leadership claims they cannot enforce a mask mandate, yet they can and do enforce a clothing attire mandate. A mask is a simple measure that protects all.

“The House and Senate leadership have the authority to make a mask mandate, yet they have so far chosen not to,” said Charlie Wishman, President of the Iowa Federation of Labor (IFL). “It appears they do not really care about the safety and well-being of everyone that comes into the Capitol. This is a public health concern.”

The IFL and allies have filed this complaint with Iowa OSHA, claiming that the Leadership at the Capitol has a general duty to provide a workplace that is free from hazards that could cause death or physical harm. This complaint is based on OSHA and CDC guidelines. “Worker health and safety, no matter the workplace, is our communities’ health and safety. The lack of following these guidelines is contributing to the spread of this pandemic,” said Wishman.

The IFL also claims the leaders at the Capitol are failing to comply with the CDC’s “Guidance for Businesses and Employers responding to COVID-19,” which states: “Employers have an obligation to manage the potentially exposed workers’ return to work in ways that best protect the health of those workers, their co-workers, and the general public.” To comply with the CDC’s guidance, the Iowa State Capitol must establish not only a self-reporting requirement, but also a robust contract-tracing program.

The Iowa Department of Public Health states that “Everyone should cover their mouth and nose with a mask when around others” in public settings, and continue social distancing, even when wearing a mask. The Public Health Association recently sent a letter to all state lawmakers asking them for a requirement of masks at the Capitol.

Other states have mandated masks and social distancing or have cancelled their legislative sessions. "This should be about public health and the safety of employees in the capitol building, not politics," said Wishman.

“We recognize that public input is essential to the legislative process. Safety should be a priority for both chambers of the Iowa Legislature, yet the House and Senate have very different policies on input from the general public. The House policy requires in-person participation for subcommittee debate, thus placing people in harm’s way. There is an easy fix to this solution, and that’s for the House to adopt the rules the Senate has regarding subcommittees.”

This is not a partisan attack – COVID-19 can impact any of our citizens regardless of political, social, or economic standing. We have sincere concerns regarding the safety of our fellow citizens who work and visit the Iowa State Capitol.

Dylan Parker

What You Can Do Now - Scott County Legislative Forum - December 3rd at 5:30 pm

11/12/2019

Scott County Legislative Forum -
Tuesday, December 3rd at 5:30 pm

Davenport Public Library - Fairmount Branch
3000 N Fairmount St, Davenport 52804 (map)

PACG, Quad Cities Interfaith, NAACP Davenport Branch

Current Scott County legislators have been invited to this forum to answer questions from members of the community. We want to send our reps off to the new legislative session with our concerns fresh on their minds.

We have invited the following legislators:
Sen. Chris Cournoyer, Rep. Monica Kurth, Sen. Jim Lycam, Rep. Gary Mohr, Rep. Ross Paustian, Sen. Roby Smith, Rep. Phyllis Thede and Rep. Cindy Winkler.

The forum is co-sponsored with Quad Cities Interfaith, NAACP Davenport Branch 4019, and Progressive Action for the Common Good.

Please join us to provide your input.

Julie Ross
pacgoffice@gmail.com

Iowa Federal Aid Swap Program - What You Can Do Now

5/19/2019

Oppose the Iowa Federal Aid Swap Program

What You Can Do Now

You may be aware from recent media reports, there is a growing coalition of organizations opposed to the new Iowa Federal Aid Swap program. Under this program millions of federal dollars allocated to the Quad Cities for road construction and other infrastructure projects are “swapped” for state dollars. Why does this matter?

Federal dollars contain certain protections, including Davis-Bacon Act “fair wages,” “BUY AMERICAN” sourcing restrictions, environmental regulations as well as women and minority-owned business engagement incentives. State dollars do not. This creates a competitive advantage for contractors outside the QCA to import less skilled, under-paid, transient workers in order to underbid our reputable local contractors. Bottom line, this leads to greater local unemployment and more money draining away from our local economy. Most importantly, it’s not right. This community needs to “opt-out” of this ill-conceived program, now. And, there will be a vote to do so on Tuesday, May 28th.

Please make your voices heard in opposition to the Iowa Federal Aid Swap program by going to: https://noswaps.com/. There you can learn more and “TAKE ACTION” by sending an email to local elected officials telling them “No SWAPS!” It’s easy. It’s quick. And, all the information you need is right there, including a sample email you can use. Please act today. And then encourage others to give input as well.

Click this link more information about the Iowa Federal Aid Swap program and the reasons to oppose it.

Candidate Questions - Drug Policy Reform

4/23/2019

Candidate Questions - Drug Policy Reform

Let’s get organized before the next presidential candidates come to town! It’s hard to know what questions to ask, but here is a list that we have created. If you have additional questions you think should be asked, please contact our Office Manager, Amber Bordolo and we will add to this list.

If you attend a candidate’s event, print off this list (see the download link below) and have it handy in case you have an opportunity to ask questions. Listen carefully to the answers on the topics below. Take notes if you can, and report back to us in the Blog Comments below.

These are also good questions that should be addressed to your State legislatures when they hold legislative sessions or campaign for re-election.

1. What is your stance on the federal expansion of access to medical cannabis?

2. What is your stance on federal legalization of marijuana?

3. In Iowa, a black person is six times more likely to be arrested for a non-violent marijuana-related offense than a white person, despite equal patterns of use. What is your stance on decriminalizing marijuana and instead allowing opportunities of record expungement for formerly convicted non-violent marijuana offenders?

5. In Iowa, we are working to expand access to clean needle syringes. Data has proven that safe needle access plays a profound role in reducing overdose and death rates. Do you support increased syringe access on a federal level?

4. What is your stance on the decriminalization of larger categories of drugs as a measure to keep fewer non-violent offenders out of jail?

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Candidate Questions - Civil Rights

4/22/2019

Candidate Questions - Civil Rights

Immigration/Refugee Policy

Let’s get organized before the next presidential candidates come to town! It’s hard to know what questions to ask, but here is a list that Quad Cities Interfaith created. If you have additional questions you think should be asked, please contact our Office Manager, Amber Bordolo and we will add to this list.

If you attend a candidate’s event, print off this list (see the download link below) and have it handy in case you get a chance to ask a question. Listen carefully to the answers on the topics below. Take notes if you can, and report back to us in the Blog Comments below. We want to know what you hear and think!

These are also good questions that should be addressed to your State legislatures when they hold legislative sessions or campaign for re-election.

1. As President, will you work to re-unite families separated at the border and change this policy so that future children and families are not separated while their legal status is in limbo?

2. What is your position on the Central American migrant caravan asylum-seekers at the border?

3. As President, will you work to ensure that tear gas is not employed against any persons at the border, like that which took place in November of this last year?

4. In Iowa, legislators have passed a state bill to prohibit local municipalities from establishing local sanctuary laws. Are you willing to speak out against these efforts at outlawing city and county rights to establish local sanctuary status?

5. We are against ICE workplace and community raids that unnecessarily terrorize, and often separate, families. A prominent example took place in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa in the past year. What is your stance on the role of ICE in our local communities?

6. We are against laws that put undue burdens on local police forces to do the work of area ICE agents. We don’t think these measures make our communities more safe; in fact, they make people less likely to report crime for fear of retaliation or deportation. What is your stance on the role of local police in matters pertaining to immigration enforcement?

7. Do you support driver’s licenses for immigrants and other local efforts such as Community ID programs?

8. Do you support efforts toward providing a path to citizenship for the 11 million immigrants in the United States?

9. There has been a call to overhaul our immigration policies. What provisions do you think should be a part of revising and changing our nation’s immigration laws?

10. As President, will you take leadership in permanently eliminating “The Muslim ban?” Will you support policies that increase the numbers of refugees the U.S. accepts?

11. What role do you think the U.S. has in accepting refugees from countries where we currently or have previously actively supported or engaged in military conflict in those countries?

12. Given that the policies and actions of our government have helped to create the conditions which people in the Migrant Caravan are fleeing, what are our responsibilities to these asylum seekers? How should they be treated at the border?

13. We stand strongly against the profit incentive behind incarceration of immigrants and citizens promoted by the prison industrial complex. Will you reject campaign contributions from banks and corporations that have a profit incentive in the building of private prisons and immigrant detention centers?

Mass Incarceration and Restorative Justice

1. Our groups in the Quad Cities are dealing with racial disparities in rates of out-of-school suspensions. As President, what will you do to address these and other racial inequities in our nation’s public school systems?

2. There our racial inequities across the board in our public schools here locally, and throughout the nation. What will you do to close the opportunity and achievement gap in public education between low-income and students of color, relative to their more affluent white peers?

3. What is your take on the recent bi-partisan criminal justice changes at the federal level? What do you think is the next step towards improving our current criminal justice system?

4. As president, what will you do to provide opportunities for criminal ex-offender re-entry programs and to create employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated persons to reduce recidivism?

5. Do you support “banning the box” policies that require ex-offenders to disclose their felony history in job applications?

6. The U.S. remains the most over-incarcerated nation on the planet. What steps will you take as President to decrease the numbers and reduce racial disparities in populations of offenders behind bars?

7. We stand strongly against the profit incentive behind incarceration of immigrants and citizens promoted by the prison industrial complex. Will you reject campaign contributions from banks and corporations that have a profit incentive in the building of private prisons and immigrant detention centers?

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Candidate Questions - Health Care Reform

4/22/2019

Candidate Questions - Health Care Reform

Let’s get organized before the next presidential candidates come to town! It’s hard to know what questions to ask, but here is a list that we have created. If you have additional questions you think should be asked, please contact our Office Manager, Amber Bordolo and we will add to this list.

If you attend a candidate’s event, print off this list (see the download link below) and have it handy in case you have an opportunity to ask questions. Listen carefully to the answers on the topics below. Take notes if you can, and report back to us in the Blog Comments below.

These are also good questions that should be addressed to your State legislatures when they hold legislative sessions or campaign for re-election.

1. How will you protect the progress made thanks to the Affordable Care Act? (more people insured, children insured on parent’s programs until age 26, protection for pre-existing conditions, etc)

2. The Medicare program is vital to the health of millions of people. Will you protect Medicare for cuts planned by some members of Congress?

3. There are efforts underway to cut Medicaid funding and turn it into individual state grants. How will you fight to keep Medicaid strong and protect it from future cuts?

4. If you favor health care expansion, could you describe your vision? What would be the key points? (Single payer? Incremental stages of expansion?)

5. How will you provide healthcare to low-income people in states that did not expand Medicaid?

6. How will you push pharmaceutical companies to reduce Hight prescription drug prices?

a. Do you support letting Medicare negotiate with prescription drug companies? If so, why?

b. Would you support a bill to allow lower priced generic drugs to access the market more quickly?

c. What efforts will you take to require drug companies to explain large price increases?

d. Would you require drug companies to give a two-month notice when they plan to significantly increase prices?

e. Should Americans be allowed to buy lower priced drugs from other countries or should the U.S. government regulate drug prices?

questions_for_candidates_-_health_care_reform.docx
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Candidate Questions - Environmental Issues

4/22/2019

Candidate Questions - Environmental Issues

Let’s get organized before the next presidential candidates come to town! It’s hard to know what questions to ask, but here is a list that we have created. If you have additional questions you think should be asked, please contact our Office Manager, Amber Bordolo and we will add to this list.

If you attend a candidate’s event, print off this list (see the download link below) and have it handy in case you have an opportunity to ask questions. Listen carefully to the answers on the topics below. Take notes if you can, and report back to us in the Blog Comments below.

These are also good questions that should be addressed to your State legislatures when they hold legislative sessions or campaign for re-election.

1. Will you support the only current proposal that addresses the climate crisis, the Green New Deal?

2. Are you aware that the EPA had the lowest number of environmental fines in 2018 in decades? What will you do about the EPA’s substandard implementation of their own regulations?

3. Do you support protecting National Parks from drilling and exploration/extractive industries?

4. What is your plan to address this administration’s rollbacks on environmental protections on clean air and water, pollution and the use of clean energy?

5. What is your plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing our use of renewable energy?

6. What is your position on our country’s commitment to the Paris Climate Accord, and would you continue our planned withdrawal from that commitment?

7. Currently, corporate interests are prioritized over public health risks. What specifically will you do to change that?

8. What is your plan to invest in renewable energy and what is your timeline for doing so?

9. Are you in favor of carbon and other user taxes to address business’s negative environmental impacts?

10. Are you in favor of enforcing stricter federal regulations on companies who are out of compliance with environmental (EPA) regulations, regardless of their containment area?

11. Would you extend the current rebates on solar which are set to gradually fade starting in 2020?

Our Environmental Forum suggests the following questions for our Illinois and Iowa State legislators:

1. What are your specific plans to reduce our state’s carbon footprint, and what are your target dates and measurement tools?

2. Would you support implementing the current laws and standards of the EPA for each industry/company operating in the State?

3. Is there a state target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and, if so, what are the timelines?

4. Currently, corporate interests are prioritized over public health risks. What specifically will you do to change that?

5. What is your plan to invest in renewable energy, and what is your timeline?

6. Are you in favor of carbon and other user taxes to address business’s negative environmental impacts?

7. Are you in favor of enforcing stricter federal regulations for companies who are out of compliance with environmental (EPA) regulations, regardless of their containment area?

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