Category: Of Interest To Our Community - PACG - Progressive Action for the Common Good

Meet Davenport Mayoral Candidates - Of Interest to Our Community

9/17/2021

Meet Davenport Mayoral Candidates
Thursday, October 7th and 21st at 3:00 pm

Davenport Public Library
6000 Eastern Avenue
Davenport, IA. 52807 (map)

Iowa Women United

Thursday, October 7th at 3:00 pm - Meet Athena Gilbraith - Please join us to hear Athena Gilbraith, who is running for mayor of Davenport, tell us about herself and why she's seeking public office. She'll also answer any questions you may have. The public is invited. Masks are recommended per CDC Guidelines.

Thursday, October 21st at 3:00 pm - Meet Mayor Mike Matson - Listen to Davenport Mayor Mike Matson talk about why he's running for re-election. The public is invited, and questions are welcome. Masks are recommended per CDC Guidelines.

Susan Meenan

Mass Evictions in Davenport - Of Interest to Our Community

7/21/2021

Crisis in Our Community: Mass Evictions Affect Over 100 Families

Of Interest to Our Community

Davenport Bearing Witness

Davenport Bearing Witness has brought to light mass evictions of more than 100 families in our community. These people live in low-rent and subsidized housing in Davenport. Their apartment buildings - left in disrepair - were sold to a developer, who would like to put in more luxury (more expensive) living options. The current families - many of whom have lived in these buildings for years - are now faced with quickly finding alternative low-cost housing, which is not easy to find. They will incur costs that few of these families can afford.

Read Quad City Times article

Read the most recent Davenport Bearing Witness email

Julie Ross

Of Interest to Our Community - CEJA Action Alert

5/18/2021

Lobbying for the Illinois Clean Energy Jobs Act - Action Alert

Quad Cities Interfaith

Quad Cities Interfaith has received a grant to help support the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) in Illinois. They have money to pay people an hourly rate to make calls to residents encouraging them to call their Representatives to support CEJA. Calls must be made by the end of May, so this is time-sensitive. The callers could also donate their earnings to PACG. If you are interested, please contact Amber Bordolo at amber@qcinterfaith.org, or her co-worker, Mayra, at mayra@qcinterfaith.org. They need to hear from you ASAP!

Lori McCollum

Davenport Bearing Witness to End Gun Violence - Of Interest to Our Community

3/9/2021

Davenport Bearing Witness Works to End Gun Violence
Date/time and location to be determined

Davenport Bearing Witness

As you probably are aware, gun violence is increasing in our community. Davenport Bearing Witness has been holding brief vigils on sites where gun violence have occurred. The group is also working on legislative actions regarding guns and gun violence.

PACG members and friends are invited to participate.

If you would like to be added to the email distribution list, contact John De Taeye.

BSLC Grants to Battle Illiteracy - Of Interest to Our Community

3/2/2021

BSLC Offers Grants to Battle Illiteracy
Due Date: Wednesday, March 31st

Bi-State Literacy Council (BSLC)

Bi-State Literacy Council is accepting applications for its Spring funding cycle. Grants are given for up to $500 and are due by March 31st. Download applications here: https://bistateliteracy.org/grants-1.

Learn more about past grant recipients: https://bistateliteracy.org/grant-recipients.

Please share this information with individuals and organizations that might be interested in applying for these grants.

For more information on BSLC:
https://mailchi.mp/c2c700e98dd6/2021springgrants?fbclid=IwAR3_CaZY3YRmqV2u51A40qL_VoH_UzzdWcgiW_u9XDz1CSTMw1Lrz1pKJY8

President, BSLC

Of Interest to Our Community - Right-to-Work Laws Hurt Workers

2/16/2021

National Study Shows Right-to-Work Laws Hurt Workers

Indiana, Illinois, Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting

In an eight-year period of national economic expansion that followed the Great Recession of 2008, the 27 U.S. states that had enacted so-called “right-to-work” laws saw slower economic growth, lower wages, higher consumer debt, worse health outcomes, and lower levels of civic participation than states that had not, according to a new study by the Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the Project for Middle Class Renewal (PMCR) at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

So-called “right-to-work” laws prohibit clauses in union contracts that require all workers covered by the contract to share in the costs of collective bargaining. By forcing more unions to provide services for free, “right-to-work” laws substantially reduce the resources these organizations have available to organize, negotiate, and advocate on behalf of working families.

“For years, anti-union zealots have presented so-called ‘right-to-work’ laws as a panacea to growing the economy,” said study co-author Frank Manzo IV. “Yet surveys of CEOs say ‘right-to-work’ has little effect on business relocation decisions, and the data shows that so-called ‘right-to-work’ states are performing substantially worse than their peers on wages, growth, poverty, and other core economic outcomes.”

See the report: https://illinoisepi.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/ilepi-pmcr-promoting-good-jobs-and-a-stronger-economy-final.pdf

Dylan Parker

A Message from the President - Introducing "Of Interest to Our Community" WEU Section

2/6/2021

An Update to Our WEU - "Of Interest to Our Community"

A Message from the President

We consider our Weekly Email Update (WEU) to be an every-changing format for communicating to our membership. It grows and changes with our community needs, allowing us to continue to find new ways to share information.

Because members have recently shared things that did not have a home in the WEU we made a new one! We have added "Of Interest to Our Community" as an entry in our WEU Submission form under the question "What is the purpose of your submission?" This selection can be made when a submission is not a Community Event or Action Alert, but is stil important to our progressive issues.

In addition, if you make a submission to our WEU you will now receive an email confirming that we received your input.

Look for these changes!

Allison Ambrose

Of Interest to Our Community - Clean Energy Future

2/2/2021

Illinois Clean Energy Future

Prairie Rivers Network

365 Days and Counting: One year ago today (January 29, 2020), Illinois Governor Pritzker announced at his State of the State Address that he was committed to passing community-driven clean energy legislation that would create good jobs and protect our planet. Three hundred sixty-five days later, Governor Pritzker has yet to support the Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) or propose any comprehensive climate legislation. Despite recent federal commitments for climate action, we know that state-led policies will be important in shaping federal action.

Prairie Rivers Network remains committed in 2021 to our partnership with the Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition to deliver just and equitable clean energy legislation in Illinois, and we'll need your support! Join this organization to learn more about actions you can take to help us fight for Illinois' clean energy future. Find out more here: www.info@prairierivers.org.

Lori McCollum

Of Interest to Our Community - Iowa AG Support of DAPL

2/2/2021

Press Release on Iowa AG Support of DAPL
Tuesday, January 26, 2021

Bold Iowa

For Immediate Release

Contact Ed Fallon at (515) 238-6404 or ed@boldiowa.com — www.boldiowa.com

Tom Miller, Iowa’s Democratic Attorney General, to stand with Big Oil on DAPL suit. While praising the Court’s ruling, anti-DAPL group blasts Iowa AG’s role.

Des Moines, Iowa — In a ruling issued today by the US Court of Appeals, the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won a partial victory after a long court battle against the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). The Court required the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which has significant ramifications for the future of the pipeline. However, the Court declined to shut down the pipeline while that EIS is in progress, making the ruling a partial victory for the Tribe and its allies.

Among those lining up on either side of the case, 30 Attorneys General weighed in. Eighteen supported the Tribe (sixteen states, plus Guam and Washington, DC). Twelve supported the pipeline company. The lone Democratic Attorney General supporting DAPL was Iowa’s Tom Miller.

“We could not be more disappointed in Attorney General Tom Miller,” said Bold Iowa director, Ed Fallon. “In siding with Big Oil against the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Miller also stood against the many Iowa farmers and landowners forced to fight DAPL as their land was stolen through eminent domain. Miller also stood against the many Iowans working to address the climate crisis. If the pipeline leaks or breaks, we’ll remember that Miller stood against protecting Iowa’s water, too.” Miller is the longest-serving attorney general in US history, having held the office for 38 years.

Referencing a press release Bold Iowa sent out last week about statements President Biden made in opposition to DAPL in 2019, Fallon added, “While we hope for a favorable outcome from the EIS, it’s important for President Biden to keep his word and shut down the flow of oil now, especially as Dakota Access pushes to double the flow of oil. Doubling the flow of oil might double Dakota Access’ profits, but it also doubles the risk to our climate and water.”

Bold Iowa was founded in 2015 in response to the Dakota Access Pipeline to build rural-urban coalitions to (1) Fight climate change; (2) Prevent the abuse of eminent domain; (3) Protect Iowa’s soil, air, and water; (4) Defend the rights of farmers, landowners, and Indigenous communities; and (5) Promote non-industrial renewable energy.

Lori McCollum

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