First let me mention that Congressman Dave Loebsack will be holding open meetings over coffee at various spots across his district this morning. My apologies for not posting sooner, but my life has been quite hectic lately and the day simply snuck up on me. These coffee are a very good way to exchange thoughts with our congressman. He really is interested in what you are thinking. Here is his schedule for this round of coffees today:

Meet With Congresswoman Finkenauer: (also today)

03/09/2019 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM Conversation with US Rep. Finkenauer – Vinton

03/09/2019 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Conversation with US Rep. Abby Finkenauer – Grinnell

Forums and Listening Posts

Next, a reminder that this was “funnel” week in Des Moines. This is the time where committees decide what bills will be worked on and what bills won’t. This would be a good time to attend a forum and find out what direction Iowa is heading. The following list is once more gleaned from infonetiowa.org  www.infonetiowa.org/calendar/events/. When you find a forum you want to attend, click on the link for the specific address. Once again, major thanks to infonetiowa.org for this information.

03/09/2019 Event Time TBD Legislative Forum – Corning

03/09/2019 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM Legislative Coffee – Creston

03/09/2019 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Listening Post – Humboldt

03/09/2019 8:30 AM – 9:30 AM Eggs & Issues – Oskaloosa

03/09/2019 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM Legislative Forum – Bondurant

03/09/2019 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Legislative Forum – Clinton

03/09/2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Legislative Forum – Wilton

03/09/2019 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Legislative Forum – Spencer

03/09/2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Town Hall – Merrill

03/09/2019 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM Legislative Coffee – Council Bluffs

03/09/2019 9:30 AM – 11:00 AM Legislative Coffee – Waukee

03/09/2019 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Listening Post – West Des Moines

03/09/2019 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Legislative Forum – Denison

03/09/2019 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Town Hall – Remsen

03/09/2019 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Listening Post – Pocahontas

03/09/2019 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM Legislative Forum – Okoboji

03/09/2019 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Legislative Forum – Des Moines

03/09/2019 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM Legislative Forum – Waterloo

03/11/2019 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM Coffee with Marti-Des Moines

03/15/2019 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM Office Hours – Ankeny

03/15/2019 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM Legislative Forum – Manchester

03/15/2019 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Legislative Forum – Hawarden

03/15/2019 12:00 PM – 1:00 AM Legislative Forum – Fort Madison

Issues:

Finally, below is a list of issues that the Iowa State Progressive Network sent out earlier in the week. This can be a guide for what will be discussed at the forums. Hopefully some of these issues did not survive funnel week:

Important Deadline This Week!

This week is the first deadline this session to winnow the number of bills that are still eligible to debate this year. In order to remain eligible, a bill must be approved by a committee in the House or Senate. That means there will be heavy subcommittee and committee work at the State Capitol all week long. There are a lot of bills to keep track of this week so check the full list of bills below to see what you can do to help.  Here are just a few key bills we’re watching this year:

Vouchers Are Back Again

The Republican plan to create a new voucher scheme in Iowa is back again this year.  If approved, it will divert hundreds of millions from public schools to home schools/private schools instead (SF 372). After years of underfunding by Republicans, our public schools can’t afford it.  While the bill may be stalled right now in the Senate, we need to keep the pressure on to make sure it doesn’t make the deadline this week.

Protect A Women’s Right to Make Her Own Decisions

After the Iowa Supreme Court ruled the GOP bill that bans abortion in all cases was unconstitutional (as everyone knew it was), the GOP is back with a idea this year (HJR 5) to amend our constitution with a total ban on abortion, even in cases of rape or incest. The proprosed bill would take away a woman’s right to make decisions that are best made by a woman, her family, and her doctor.

Eliminate Gun Permits + Guns in Schools & Churches

While Republicans lawmakers have already kept a bill alive that eliminates background checks for guns, two other bills under consideration this year would eliminate all permits to carry concealed weapons (HF 118), allow guns on school grounds (HF 118), and allow conealed weapons in places of worship (HF 51).        

Bill Watch 

Below is a list of bills we’re tracking this session that may be of interest to you.  As session continues, we’ll be updating this list for you to keep you up to speed on the legislative process and take action.