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

Iowa ACLU September Challenge: Sign the Reproductive Freedom for All Statement

9/2/2023

Iowa ACLU September Challenge: Get twice as many people to sign the Reproductive Freedom for All statement!

iowa_aclu_reproductive_freedom_statement_sign-up.pdf
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The Gender Equity Forum needs you to participate in this September Challenge from the Iowa American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). This is a statewide effort to double the signatures they have collected so far from 2,000 to 4,000. The Iowa Quad Cities needs to do its part to meet this challenge!

The statement is:

I believe all Iowans have the right to make our own decisions about our bodies, lives and futures - free from government control. Therefore, I expect my elected officials to do everything in their power to protect & defend reproductive freedom in our state, including access to safe and legal abortion.

If you live in Iowa and agree with this statement, go here to sign. The signatures will be collected by the Iowa ACLU to share with your state legislators.

Share this blog post with your friends and family and get them to sign, too. You can also download a sign-up sheet (above) with the Reproductive Freedom Statement to collect signatures that way. Please scan or photograph the sheet when you are done and send it to me to forward to ACLU Iowa.

Alta Price

Sioux City valedictorian on gender equity - No Hate In Our States

5/31/2023

The Class of 2023 will not be bullied!

Sioux City Journal on Twitter

Patrick Baughman, valedictorian of Sioux City West High School’s class of 2023, ends his speech with a declaration for trans rights and against "banned books" during graduation. Click here to see his speech.

PACG Webmaster

Iowa students suffer from 2023 legislative session - No Hate In Our States

5/31/2023

Iowa schools may never recover from 2023 legislative session

From Bleeding Heartland

Two Republican trifectas, 50 years apart, reshaped Iowa's K-12 schools. But whereas the legislature and Governor Robert Ray put public education on a more equitable, better funded path during the early 1970s, this year's legislative session left public schools underfunded and unable to meet the needs of many marginalized students.

Governor Kim Reynolds capped a devastating year for Iowa's schools on May 26, when she signed seven education-related bills, including two that will impose many new restrictions while lowering standards for educators and curriculum.

...The governor claimed Iowa's new education landscape "puts parents in the driver's seat." But the majority of parents won't benefit from the new laws.

...More than 90 percent of Iowa students attend public schools. Even if all of their parents wanted to switch to a private school, there would not be enough openings—especially for students with disabilities or those who need individualized education plans. Dozens of Iowa counties don't contain a single private school, making education savings accounts useless for most residents, unless they want to select a 100 percent virtual option.

...In addition, many private schools have jacked up tuition since Reynolds signed the voucher bill. So private school will remain unattainable for many low-income families who may genuinely need state assistance. The majority of the education savings account money would need to be spent on tuition, leaving little left over for other qualifying expenses like textbooks or tutoring. (Families must foot the whole bill for transportation to and from school, which is not a qualifying expense.)

...Advocates for LGBTQ Iowans condemned the new laws in statements published in full below. One Iowa's executive director Courtney Reyes said of Senate File 496, "Like many other centerpieces of the Governor’s agenda, this legislation will harm an already vulnerable group of children and will benefit no one..."

Read the full article here.

PACG Webmaster

Lobby Day for Abortion - After Action Report

4/10/2023

Lobby Day in Des Moines for Abortion Rights -
After Action Report
Tuesday, March 21st

PAG Gender Equity Forum

Two Gender Equity Forum facilitators, Dr. Alta Price (me) and Dr. Carolyn Martin, traveled to Des Moines for the Planned Parenthood Lobby Day on March 21st. A van of folks came from the Iowa Quad Cities as well. There were well over a hundred activists talking with their legislators.

Although none of the anti-abortion restrictions proposed so far this year has a chance of passing, this is only because Republican leadership is waiting on a case before the Iowa Supreme Court that could reinstate a 6 week abortion ban passed in 2018 that was enjoined by the Iowa Supreme Court. Governor Reynolds has asked the Supreme Court to reconsider its injunction. So we lobbied our legislators to support “over-the-counter birth control pills” (actually pharmacist-prescribed oral contraceptives) and expanding Medicaid coverage for pregnant people to extend for 12 months after delivery. There were two other legislative proposals we asked them to oppose.

For me the most interesting part was meeting the other activists. I was especially impressed by the medical students from the University of Iowa.

It was also great to meet and talk with my new Iowa State Senator, Scott Webster. He was very friendly and receptive. He was in support of the over-the-counter birth control pills; in fact, he had already voted in favor of that proposal. Carolyn did a great job of explaining that people need insurance coverage for at least 12 months after delivery to deal with any pregnancy complications. He seemed to appreciate the information she gave him.

Here is some WHO 13 television coverage of the event.

Alta Price

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

iowa_is_better_than_this_program.pdf
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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.