So what if Rob Sand would have run against Kim Reynolds and won? My answer to that is nothing but good would have come from it. But oh, well…
This was an amazing interview. Not because of Iowa Press questions but because of Sand’s answers. Iowa needs to make sure he gets re-elected. There are far too few like him in public office. Donate here
We need more common sense reps. like J.D. Scholten in the Iowa legislature – Check out J.D. on Twitter and scholtenforiowa.com/ or click on the link below to donate.
“I’m J.D. Scholten. I was born in Iowa and raised in Sioux City. I am running for Iowa House District 1 to ensure Iowans have every opportunity to succeed, whether that’s through quality education or an economy that supports workers and local businesses. I will always put Iowans first, and won’t cater to out-of-state special interests.”
Donate today and help fuel our grassroots campaign forward!
Ever wonder why there are so many extreme bills being passed across the country? It’s because Republicans control the majority of state legislatures. It’s no different here in Iowa, where Republicans control both the Iowa House and the Iowa Senate.
If Democrats had the majority, we wouldn’t have passed voter suppression legislation making it harder for Iowans to vote.
If Democrats had the majority, we would be working to support our public schools, not try to rob them of the funding they depend on and funnel it to private schools.
If Democrats had the majority, we would be working to raise the minimum wage for Iowa’s workers. We haven’t had a minimum wage increase since 2008, Trish! It’s long past time to get it done.
People often say that change happens at the local level. It’s true. If we want to change our communities for the better, we need to get more involved at the state and local level. It’s why I decided to jump in the race for Iowa State House District 1.
We continue to post Friday’s High Five from Progress Iowa with the Iowa legislature in session:
We made it to Friday!
It’s going to be a cloudy, rainy weekend here in Iowa. But we know that “April showers bring May flowers,” and with spring right around the corner, I’m really looking forward to stopping and smelling the roses.
There’s been a lot of news this week, so we’re going to take a look at a new top story for today, as well as a look back on our other top stories this week.
So, let’s dive on in:
1.DES MOINES PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADDRESSING GUN VIOLENCE: Last night, Des Moines Public Schools held their first community meeting to discuss the recent shootings and gun violence in the community. Just last month, a shooting outside of East High School injured two students and took the life of another.
Kids and teens have more access to guns than before thanks to recent gun legislation passed by Iowa’s Republican lawmakers. It’s time that our elected officials take the necessary steps to pass common sense gun reform to keep our children and families safe.
Click to Tweet: Common sense gun reform is supported by over 80% of Americans, and it’s time our Iowa lawmakers stand up and protect our children from the rising levels of gun violence #Iowa bit.ly/3MKdrjz
After you share that message, check out this week’s run down of our top stories from everyday this week:
2.REYNOLDS vs. PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The Iowa Legislature is still at a standstill, and one big bill holding things up is Governor Reynolds’ plan to send public tax payer dollars to private schools. And there have even been reports that Reynolds may campaign against Republicans who won’t support her voucher bill in the primaries. We know this legislation will hurt public education in our state, especially in rural areas. It’s time Reynolds gave up on this terrible plan. You can use your voice to contact lawmakers with the Iowa State Education Association’s toolkit here.
3. AVERAGE IOWAN PAYS MORE IN TAXES THAN HUGE CORPORATIONS: Tax day has come and gone, and a new report from the Center for American Progress shows just how little the wealthiest corporations pay in federal taxes. AT&T reported receiving a $1.2 billion tax refund from the US government in 2021, despite making $29.1 billion in profit that year. Who do these wealthy companies have to thank? Senators Ernst and Grassley, who voted for the tax law that cut the corporate tax rate and allowed wealthy corporations to claim even more deductions.
Now, Governor Reynolds and Iowa Republicans are rigging our state tax system to benefit the ultra wealthy and large corporations instead of providing meaningful relief to hardworking, everyday Iowans.
4.GOP CUTS IOWANS HARD-EARNED BENEFITS: Corporate Kim Reynolds announced in her Condition of the State address that one of her top priorities this year was to cut hardworking Iowans’ unemployment benefits, the same benefits that help seasonal construction workers and others provide for their families. If signed, Iowans will be forced to take jobs that don’t pay enough to provide for their children. Once again, Corporate Kim Reynolds has put the ultra wealthy and large corporations ahead of everyday Iowa families.
5.IOWA WORKERS’ MEMORIAL DAY: Iowans are hardworking and generous neighbors that strive to make our communities and state a better place for all. That’s why yesterday, we were proud to stand with our partners in labor to honor the countless Iowans who have been injured or lost their lives on the job.
Want to hear more from our team? You can go to our online news blog, Potluck, to hear from Iowans and leaders around the state. Want to help progressive messaging and policy in the state of Iowa? Sign up at ProgressIowa.org to volunteer, donate, and hear more from our team!
Thanks for reading, and we’ll get back with you Monday for another Hive Five!
– The Progress Iowa Team
Progress Iowa | P.O. Box 548 | Des Moines, IA 50302
Today is May Day, also known as International Workers Day or Labor Day in almost every country in the world except the US and Canada.May 1st was chosen for its proximity to the anniversary of the Haymarket Affair (aka Riot) that started on May 1, 1886 and culminated in a police riot on May 4, 1886.
One hundred thirty-six years later the lot of the workers remains low in this country. Except for a brief shining moment from FDR to Ronald Reagan, labor in this country have been something for the rich and their hirelings in government to quash.
As union movements gain a small head of steam in companies like Amazon and Starbuck’s we see multi-billionaires Jeff Bezos and Howard Schultz spending multi-millions to stop workers from unionizing. How much do these people need?
Just heard that C. Vivian Stringer announced her retirement this (Saturday) morning. I think I speak for a lot of Iowans who were very grateful for her years leading the Iowa Women’s basketball team to some of their greatest glory. She is a class act.
Another momentous week.
A) 77 years ago last Friday, Allied forces liberated what notorious concentration camp?
B) The FDA surprised smokers Thursday by proposing on what specific type of flavoring in tobacco products?
C) France had an election last Sunday. Which candidate lost by a nearly 20% landslide?
D) What top Republican spent the week trying to explain comments from the January 6th, 2021 time-frame?
E) Perhaps the fastest union growth in the US is with Starbucks. Approximately how many Starbucks locations are now unionized?
F) The January 6th Committee announced public hearings would begin when?
G) What billionaire bought himself a really big toy last week?
H) In Iowa, the legislature sent a bill to the governor that would force gas stations to sell what product?
I) President Biden attended the Correspondents’ Dinner last night. What major administration official who deals with the covid pandemic skipped it?
J) Speaking of covid, what top administration official was reported to have tested positive for the disease last week?
K) In Italy, the US Army returned what item to Meri Mion on her 90th birthday that soldiers had stolen on April 28th of 1945?
L) 16 states, including California, are suing the USPS for the USPS’s decision to purchase what?
M) Today marks the end of what major annual month long religious observance?
N) Finally! What vaccine provider announced that they have asked the FDA to authorize a covid vaccine for the 5 and under age group?
O) Due to drought water restrictions are being phased in in what part of the US?
P) The CDC reported over 60% of all Americans and almost 75% of children under 11 now has antibodies for what disease?
Q) It was a bad week for what North Carolina congress member who was caught trying to bring a loaded gun onto an airplane as sleazy photos of him went viral in the twitterverse?
R) In New York, who has been ordered to pay $10,000/day until he turns over documents to end a contempt of court citation?
S) What country announced it will ban the exportation of palm oil next week due to palm oil’s environmental problems?
T) About how many cases of covid is the US reporting daily currently?
Extra) May 4th, 1970 – where were college students shot and killed during a war protest?
Extra2) What TV network began schedule telecasting 83 years ago yesterday on April 30, 1939?
The richest guy on the 2021 Forbes 400 owns the Washington Post. Number 2 now owns Twitter. Number 3 owns Facebook. Numbers 5 and 6 started Google. Numbers 4 and 9 started Microsoft. Number 10 owns Bloomberg. Free speech? You decide. – David Rothkopf
Answers:
A) Dachau
B) Menthol. Menthol is heavily marketed to blacks and is often has ‘beginner’ appeal
Isn’t one of these guys trying to split the country with his ‘Big Lie’?
Chuck Grassley has been a party first, country last politician at least in this century. From his work to kill Obamacare or at least make it ineffective to his undermining the spirit of the constitution by stopping President Obama’s nominee to the Supreme Court to his current embrace of the previous president and that president’s BIG LIE.
Anyone who considers Grassley a great American certainly has a warped definition of what a great American is. A Great American would not embrace a person who tried to overthrow our government.
As more and more information comes out on certain members of congress being deeply involved in activities leading up to the January 6th insurrection, Grassley’s statement January 5th, 2021 continues to raise questions.
“Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, said he would preside over the U.S. Senate debate surrounding disputes of the 2020 election results if Vice President Mike Pence does not show up.
He suggested Pence was not expected to attend but Grassley’s staff later said that was a “misinterpretation” and that Pence was expected to be there.
On Wednesday, Congress will meet to formally count the Electoral College votes after they were certified by states last month. At least 12 GOP senators and dozens of House Republicans say they intend to object to the Electoral College results as those votes are read, state by state, in a joint session that begins at noon CT Wednesday.
During an exchange with reporters on Tuesday, Grassley was asked how he plans to vote.
“Well, first of all, I will be — if the Vice President isn’t there and we don’t expect him to be there, I will be presiding over the Senate,” according to a transcript of his remarks sent by a spokesperson. (Bolding mine-Ed.)
Grassley serves as the president pro tempore of the Senate and will preside over any portion of the debate that Pence does not attend. But Grassley expects Pence to be present on Wednesday, according to his spokesperson.
President Donald Trump has continued to claim that he won the November 2020 election, resulting in a historic number of Republicans in the House and Senate saying they will vote to reject the election results, according to USA Today.”
So was this a true misstatement or did Grassley let slip that he knew that something could happen to Pence the next day and he (Grassley) may be pressed into service to lead the counting of the electoral vote.
The press seems to have taken Grassley at his word and, as far as I know, done little follow up on this. Getting a straight answer from party-first Grassley is hard in the best of times. When this matter is a year and four months old, and given Grassley’s age getting a straight answer now would be really hard.
Yet someone should pursue it. We have seen over and over in the past few weeks that rumored involvement by members of congress have been exposed. We have seen Senator Mike Lee was involved in the cover-up. We have seen that House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was involved in now trying to cover Trump’s involvement up.
It would not be at all surprising that Grassley had some prior knowledge of upcoming events that week. To prevent future attacks, Americans need to know what insiders were involved and how they were involved. It is vital to keeping our democracy.
Families across the United States are drowning in utility debt. In 33 states, families who can’t afford to pay their bills have been protected from energy shutoffs during the winter thanks to moratoriums that temporarily halted them. But 29 of those moratoriums have now ended, and the last ones expire on May 1.
Now, many families are facing potential power shutoffs if they cannot pay their overdue home energy bills. In fact, more than 20 million families are currently behind on their utility bills, owing about $23 billion, up from about $10.5 billion at the end of 2019. The White House, Congress and the states must work together to quickly address this looming crisis.
Rising energy prices are a primary factor behind this increase in utility debt. In the past 12 months, the price for natural gas increased by 21.6%, electricity by 11.1% and fuel oil by 70.1%. For the lowest-income households, the yearly cost of home energy increased from $2,511 in 2019 to $3,399 last year. If current trends continue, the cost could reach about $3,957 this year, almost 58% higher than costs were in 2019. On top of that, families are struggling with high rates of inflation for other essential goods like gasoline, food and rent.
When a family is shut off from power, they cut back on food, medicine and other essentials in order to get reconnected as quickly as possible. An estimated 3.5 million people were disconnected in 2020 and 2021 in 32 states plus the District of Columbia.
Available federal funds are not sufficient to help families pay off their full debt and become current on their bills. The American Rescue Plan (ARP) provided states with an additional $4.5 billion for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which provides formula grants to states to help low-income families pay their heating and cooling bills. The White House has recommended that states use other recovery funds as well to help families pay these bills, and has called on utilities to not shut off families that have applied for assistance. While 14 utilities have committed to keeping families connected while they wait for assistance, it is unlikely that will be enough to fully solve the problem.
<<more at link>>
While Republicans would like to blame this on the Biden Administration, nothing could be further from the truth. Energy prices have been jumping due to the recovery from the pandemic, but also in large part due to a deal the previous president imposed on OPEC to have OPEC cut their production. Add to that the economic sanctions that are cutting purchases from Russia.
Thus as Elon Musk makes headlines as he buys himself a giant toy and Jeff Bezos does all he can to suppress unions at his companies, the poorest in the US continues to grow and continue to hurt. The child tax credits that helped many families pay utility bills ended last December as Republicans stopped any attempt to have them extended.
Iowa’s Republican leadership has done what it can to kick people while they are down. This week, Republicans cut back unemployment insurance payments. An email from Progress Iowa Wednesday summed the current plight of the working poor in Iowa:
NEW REPORT: Iowa Working Families Can’t Afford Corporate Kim’s Agenda
Des Moines, Iowa — Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to Common Good Iowa’s new report, The Cost of Living in Iowa 2022:
“Iowans work hard, but things are tough right now because of Corporate Kim Reynolds. It’s hard to take care of ourselves, let alone each other. And today’s report from Common Good Iowa reaffirmed what we already know. The things that cost and matter the most — a roof over our heads, childcare for our kids, healthcare for our families — have long been put out of reach.
“According to today’s report, ‘Iowa workers have to earn well over the minimum wage, and in some cases well above the state’s median wage, to meet even an exceptionally frugal basic-needs budget.’ We know the reason hardworking Iowans just can’t get ahead is because Corporate Kim Reynolds and other Republicans have made it impossible.
“By blocking wage increases and siding with corporations that don’t pay enough, Reynolds is hurting our families and forcing people to leave rural Iowa. Even as workers struggle, she and Republicans are stripping workers of earned unemployment benefits, forcing Iowans into low paying jobs. At the same time, Reynolds continues to give the rich and wealthy businesses tax breaks, while taking money away from our public schools, public safety, and health care services, exacerbating her workforce crisis.
“We can’t survive like this. We need real leaders who stand with working people – not those who hand out kickbacks to corporations. We need to pass laws to stop corporate price gouging, curb education debt, make childcare and healthcare affordable, and raise our wages.”
Republicans will do all they can to keep the rich extremely rich and the poor in debt forever. GOP now stands for Greedy Oligarchs Party.
Background: “Three Percenters have been linked to bomb plots targeting U.S. government buildings and Muslim communities, as well as a 2020 scheme to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) that involved “the acquiring and detonating of explosives to divert police attention.” – Washington Post
It’s horrifying to me that my opponent and her team would align themselves with the Three Percenters despite their history of violent and extreme plots, including the deadly insurrection at the Capitol on January 6th.
Let me be clear: Our leaders should be focused on coming together to deliver results for Iowans, not spreading dangerous disinformation and giving a platform to extremist groups.
Southeastern Iowa deserves better. You deserve better. And I promise that when I’m elected to Congress, I’ll fight for Iowa, not embrace those who try to divide us.
Respectfully,
Christina Bohannan
Candidate for Iowa’s First District
Everything I’ve seen written about this so far only mentions that MMM’s campaign manager Elliott Husbands Tweeted this photo. MMM re-tweeted it but apparently hers has been deleted from Twitter.
Here is a screenshot of MMM’s re-tweet, “Dr. Miller-Meeks Retweeted.” – BFIA
Iowa Starting Line: “Two More Ties To The Fringe For Mariannette Miller-Meeks”
In case you missed it, vulnerable Republican Mariannette Miller-Meeks is yet again cozying up to conspiracy theorists and extremists in her party. According to an Iowa Starting Line report, Miller-Meeks’ campaign manager promoted photos from a campaign event featuring the flag of an extremist anti-government militia group known as the “Three Percenters.”
The designated terrorist group has been connected to a number of violent plots and numerous alleged group members have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Capitol building on January 6.
Even more disturbingly, a recent video shows Miller-Meeks admitting to working with and advocating for the violent rioters who attacked police officers and tried to overthrow our democracy on January 6.
“Mariannette Miller-Meeks stands with the far-right elements of her party and supports those who assaulted police officers and violently attacked our democracy,” said DCCC spokesperson Elena Kuhn. “Iowans deserve better.”
First-term Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks has long dabbled with online fringe conspiracy theories, and two more recent incidents add to the pile.
Photos posted by Miller-Meeks’ campaign manager a week ago on Twitter show volunteers putting together yard signs while posing in front of flags that include one used by a far-right, anti-government militia. The “Three Percenter” flag is shown hanging on the wall behind the Miller-Meeks supporters, the one with Roman numeral “III” on an American flag.
The Three Percenter flag is used by a far-right militia movement active in the US and Canada. The Canadian government designated the group a terrorist entity in 2021 after they were linked to several bomb plots and the planned abduction of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The militia movement operates off the debunked myth that just 3% of colonists fought the British during the American Revolution, hence the name.
“They believe a small force of armed individuals can overthrow a tyrannical government, and many Three Percenters engage in paramilitary training and organizing to do so,” the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote about the group. “…Their perceptions of tyranny emanate from the radical conspiracy theories and paranoia rooted in the decades-old antigovernment extremist movement, and have repeatedly led to violence against America’s law enforcement, citizens and residents.”
Numerous Three Percenter members have been arrested in connection with the attack on the Capitol building on Jan. 6. Militia members have been involved in a wide range of violent plots over the past decade. Simply associating with the group has come with consequences in the past, including New Jersey police officers who were disciplined for wearing Three Percenter badges.
Other flags behind them also have some symbolism to the far-right fringe, though they aren’t as definitively unique to a militia or fringe group as the Three Percenter one is.
Given there’s a city of Muscatine flag also hanging on the wall, one would presume this is at the local Muscatine Republican office.
Miller-Meeks herself also had an interesting exchange with a far-right activist who supports the release of many of the people arrested in the Jan. 6 insurrection. In a video posted on Twitter from last month, Miller-Meeks seems to indicate she’s advocating for some of the Jan. 6 rioters.
“I was wondering, there are many people who believe the constitution and the republic cannot stand with two standards of rule of law…” a man asks Miller-Meeks while an event appears to go on in the background. “What are you going to do about the patriots who are being politically prosecuted for their participation in the January 6th?”
One of the biggest complaints lately of the far-right is the arrested Jan. 6 participants, who they call “patriots,” are being held in harsh conditions while awaiting trial, which is taking a while for some.
“So, we have been to the prison, we’ve sent letters,” Miller-Meeks replies. “We’ve heard from past subpoenaed witnesses that the biggest issue, problem is that, on the steps of the Capitol is not state law, or city law, it’s federal law. There is no appeal in the federal law system. So there is no appeal and there is no bond. And the Capitol Police were in charge of the Capitol and Nancy Pelosi is in charge of the Capitol Police. So we’re going to continue to work that and try to get them through and to trial and so on.”
Many on the far-right have complained, notably at recent Republican town halls in Iowa, that only two members of Congress—Marjorie Taylor Greene and Louie Gohmert—have visited the rioters in jail. That makes Miller-Meeks framing of her response that “we” have been to the prison and sent letters particularly interesting.
Governor Kim Keynolds: (515) 281-5211 U.S. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121 Iowa Members of Congress - Rep. Randy Feenstra (R) - Rep. Ashley Hinson (R) - Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R) - Rep. Zach Nunn (R) Iowa US Senators - Senator Joni Ernst (R) - Senator Charles Grassley (R)
