Reynolds’ AEA Bill Would Reduce Funding For Special Ed

Posted on January 19, 2024 by Trish Nelson

Sharing this because not everyone is on Facebook. Here are the links to follow statehouse Democrats on Facebook and Twitter if you like.  Also, Iowans can log on to legis.iowa.gov to watch live streams of legislative action, including committee meetings and debates. Sign up for the Iowa House Democrats’ People Over Politics newsletter here

Watch this week’s Zoom as Jennifer Konfrst gives details about Governor Reynolds’ AEA proposal.  You may want to contact your reps in the statehouse about the AEA bill especially if you have a Republican rep.

 

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Reynolds’ AEA Bill Would Reduce Funding For Special Ed

Iowa Caucus Results: Trump Era Over, Media Last To Know

Posted on January 18, 2024 by Trish Nelson

Spotted on Democratic Underground:

Great meme, hat tip to DU.  I agree 100% and would like to go one step further.

Trump received 56, 260 votes.  NOT TRUMP received 54,038 votes. So if you think about it that way, Trump v. ABT (Anybody But Trump), Trump only won by 2,222 votes statewide, 51%-49% – inside the margin of error.  That’s a “razor thin” margin, or you could say a “dead heat” (terms reserved by the media for when a Democrat is leading in the polls).

But did we see any sign in the headlines following caucus night that Trump’s bright shiny star is burning out? That the caucus was closer than the score indicated? Apparently media outlets were spending their energy not offering context but thinking up the most inflammatory, helpful to Trump headlines possible.  Here are a few examples of actual headlines I saw:

“Trump Trounces Challengers” – Daily Iowan

Donald Trump “..Cruising to Victory” – Iowa City Press-Citizen /Des Moines Register (they are the same paper now. That is to say the P-C basically no longer really exists).

“Trump’s Blowout Win in Iowa” Washington Post

“Donald Trump wins Iowa caucuses in landslide” – CBS News

“Trump Performed Worse Than Expected in Iowa Caucuses”

“Trump Era Over as Half of Caucus Goers Vote for Opponent”

You didn’t see those last two? Neither did we.

Hardly definitive, certainly calling it a “landslide” or a “trouncing” is wishful thinking or sheer laziness. Why the mainstream media is collectively reporting the results in the exact same way, as a huge win for Trump, remains a mystery. Maybe because that’s what they expected, they  went ahead and reported it that way without thinking about it?  Check this out.

“The Headline Everyone Expected – Trump Wins Iowa” – NPR  

And there you have it.

Here’s my take on it. The media may not want Trump to be re-elected necessarily, but they don’t want him to go away, either.  Because what better TV fodder is there than crazy Trump and his misguided followers?  What easier, better, readily available headline or narrative than “Trump said this today” (outrageous Trump statement) or “Trump supporter said this today” (bizarre thing a Trump supporter said).

That is basically how they’ve been reporting about Trump all the way back to his first candidacy. I’m old enough to remember when Trump got the media to repeat his made up thing about Obama’s birth certificate. The media ate it up, repeated it over and over, invited Trump surrogates on their cable and network news programs who they knew were going to lie, and gave the story continual air time. It went on and on like that for literally years even after President Obama produced a birth certificate thinking that would make the whole thing go away. Of course it did not.

Trump wouldn’t let it go but the saddest thing is, he knew the media would lap it up and also not let it go, and that’s exactly what happened.  They were happy to keep covering this fake story that they knew was fake because it was so easily proven false.  They knew it wasn’t true but they kept using the story because… well I don’t really know why, but they did.  And just the fact that they kept on talking about it, made it seem to many as if it might be true, that Obama was not born in America, which of course he was.

And it’s still happening. This is just one example, but it is how they cover every single Trump lie.

Someone who knows more about the media than I do said, there is a rule in the media that you can’t start talking about something until someone else starts talking about it first. You cannot interject a counter-narrative. You  have to talk about what everyone else is talking about and you have to talk about it in the same way.  Sounds kind of like high school.

So if you feel as frustrated about the way the press, local and national, covers all things Donald Trump, you are not alone.

Sadly, the Trump era could be over –  if the media could just let him go.

Democracy is unsustainable without a functional press that informs. We seem to be moving further and further away from having one.

Links for the DU meme:

iowa-caucus-turnout-was-lowest-in-years

Number of registered voters and registered Republican voters in Iowa

population of iowa

Iowa Republican caucus results

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Iowa Caucus Results: Trump Era Over, Media Last To Know

President Biden: Democracy Is The Sacred Cause Of Our Nation

Posted on January 17, 2024 by Trish Nelson

“Three years ago for the first time in our history, a violent mob attacked the Capitol and tried to stop the peaceful transfer of power. We must make sure that never happens again and that democracy always remains the sacred cause of our nation.” – President Joe Biden

Watch the president’s January 5 speech marking three years since the January 6th insurrection. Below this video watch Heather Cox Richardson interview President Biden about his remarks.

The President sits down with Heather Cox Richardson, America’s favorite historian.

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on President Biden: Democracy Is The Sacred Cause Of Our Nation

What You Can Do This Week To Help Cut Climate Pollution

Posted on January 16, 2024 by Trish Nelson

From our inbox – Check out this action alert from Rob Hogg, retired state senator, author of America’s Climate Century

###

Friday, January 19, is a national day of action to ask Congress to do more (not less) to cut climate pollution. Please join in by calling, writing, emailing, or visiting the offices of your US Representative and US Senators on or before January 19.

In Iowa, here are phone numbers you can call:

Rep. Randy Feenstra – (202) 225-4426
Rep. Ashley Hinson – (202) 225-2911
Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks – (202) 225-6576
Rep. Zach Nunn – (202) 225-5476
Senator Joni Ernst – (202) 224-3254
Senator Chuck Grassley – (202) 224-3744

Outside of Iowa, you can find contact information at this link:
https://www.house.gov/representatives

Sample Script: “I am calling today to urge ___________________ to do more (not less) to cut climate pollution. I am concerned about climate change. I appreciate the Inflation Reduction Act, but I want to see more action to cut climate pollution and more action for hazard mitigation and disaster relief. It’s urgent. Scientists tell us we must cut climate pollution by 50% or more by 2030 to avoid the worst consequences of climate change. Please support more clean energy, less fossil fuels, and more farm- and nature-based solutions to climate change.”

You can also use one of the form emails from groups like Citizens Climate Lobby, available at this link:  https://citizensclimatelobby.org/get-loud-take-action/

In addition to contacting them yourself, please ask your friends and family to contact them, too. Here is a Facebook event page you can share:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1127698591931056

As one person commented at the Facebook page:

“Excellent idea! I’ve shared this across my friends list with at least a hundred people. Imagine tens of thousands calling their congress persons on the same day!”

Please join in yourself and invite your friends. When you contact Congress, send me an email so I can keep track of how many participate. Thanks for taking action!

Other Upcoming Opportunities

Here are some other upcoming opportunities to get more involved in climate action:

1. Interfaith Power & Light is sponsoring “Faith Climate Action Week” April 19-28, 2024. For more details, visit:
https://interfaithpowerandlight.org/faithclimateactionweek/

2. Prairiewoods Eco-Spirituality Center in Hiawatha, Iowa, is hosting “Spirituality in the 21st Century” on April 26-27, 2024, with a focus on spiritual, hopeful responses to the climate crisis. Speakers include the Rev. Veronica M. Johnson, Susan Bauer-Wu, and Leah Rampy. For registration and other details, visit:
https://prairiewoods.org/spirituality-in-the-21st-century/

3. The Citizens Climate Lobby national conference and lobby days will be June 8-11 in Washington, DC. For more details, visit:
https://citizensclimatelobby.org/climate-change-conferences/summer/

I hope this is helpful. Let me know if you have other upcoming events you would like me to promote. Keep in touch.

Rob

Rob Hogg (retired state senator)
Linn County, Iowa
(319) 247-0223

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on What You Can Do This Week To Help Cut Climate Pollution

Dem Caucus Info And MLK Day Events

Posted on January 15, 2024 by Trish Nelson

 

     

Click here to find your caucus location.

Here is a list of MLK Day events around Iowa.

Cedar Falls
Celebrate the Cultures of the Cedar Valley
When: January 15 | 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Diamond Event Center, 5307 Caraway Lane, Cedar Falls
About: Come experience cultures, complete hands-on projects, and learn something new about diversity in our community. More than a dozen exhibits will highlight Dr. King’s vision of a united world.

Cedar Rapids
MLK Now 2024
When: January 15 | 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Brg, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
About: MLK Now 2024 will be held on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids. “Recreating Black Economies: Changing Policies and Practices.” Renowned speakers, community influencers and guests; live entertainment and performing arts; mini-carnival, DIY activities and gaming fun. Free event; free transportation provided from Iowa City.

Clinton
36th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration
When: January 14 | 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Clinton Community College Auditorium, 1000 Lincoln Blvd., Clinton
About: Join us to listen to keynote speaker Chris Britton and celebrate Dr. King’s legacy.

Coralville
MLK Day Events and Activities
When: January 15 | 2 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Where: Coralville Recreation Center and Coralville Public Library
About: 2:00-4:30 pm at Coralville Recreation Center (1506 8th St.):

  • Help paint a community mural in the Recreation Center. Sign up to paint from 12:00-4:00 pm (see above)
  • 2:00-3:00 pm: Live music from Blake Shaw
  • 3:15-4:30 pm: Live music from Charlotte Blu
  • Activities with the Iowa Children’s Museum
  • Create an MLK collage: Words Are Powerful
  • Participate in a community service project
  • Recreational games in the gym: Nine Square in the Air, spot shot contest, and obstacle course
  • Refreshments provided by local businesses

4:30-6:30 pm at Coralville Public Library (1401 5th St.):

  • 4:30-5:45 pm: Live music from Blake Shaw
  • 5:30 pm: Community reading of Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech
  • Volunteer information fair: learn about local volunteer opportunities in Coralville and Johnson County
  • Participate in a community outreach project
  • Refreshments provided by local businesses

Davenport

Friends of MLK Winter Gala
When: January 20 | 5:00 p.m.
Where: Rogalaski Center 518 W. Locust St., Davenport
About: Dress up in your finest attire and get ready for a night filled with joy, laughter, and inspiration. This in-person event promises to be a memorable experience, bringing together individuals who share a common goal of promoting equality, justice, and peace.

Throughout the evening, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy live music, delightful refreshments, and engaging conversations with fellow attendees. Our program will include thought-provoking speeches, highlights of some of the history that will be in the MLK Park, and a chance to reflect on the impact of Dr. King’s teachings on our society today.

By attending the Friends of MLK Winter Gala, you are supporting our ongoing efforts in advancing Dr. King’s dream of a world free from discrimination and prejudice. Together, we can continue to build bridges, foster understanding, and create positive change in our communities.

Des Moines
I Have a Dream Virtual 1M, 5K, 10K, 13.1, 26.2 
When: January 14 to January 31
Where: Learn more by clicking here
What: Join us in commemorating the life and legacy of the great Civil Rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., on his dedicated federal holiday, January 15, 2024. In honor of his profound impact, we are proud to present our fourth annual “I Have A Dream” virtual race!

Throughout the month of January 2024, including the significant date of January 15th, you can take part in our “I Have A Dream” virtual races. Choose from various distances, including 1M, 5K, 10K, 13.1, and 26.2, and complete the race at your convenience, anywhere you prefer.

Your participation not only celebrates the incredible contributions of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but it also contributes to a meaningful cause. A remarkable 15% of each registration fee will be donated to the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).

11th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast
When: January 15 | 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Where: The Knapp Center, 2601 Forest Ave., Des Moines, IA
About: The YMCA’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Prayer Breakfast brings together residents, business and government leaders and representatives of community nonprofit organizations to celebrate the legacy of Dr. King and promote his message of peace, justice and opportunity for all. The theme of the 2024 event is “Building Health in Spirit, Mind and Body: Addressing Barriers to Mental Health Equity.” The keynote address will be delivered by Chamique Holdsclaw, WNBA Hall of Fame member and Olympic gold medalist, who has dedicated her life’s work to mental health and wellness activism.

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration with Dr. Ian Roberts
When: January 15 | 4 p.m.
Where: Des Moines Public Library 1326 Forest Ave., Des Moines
About: Join us for our annual celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Our keynote speaker is Dr. Ian Roberts, Superintendent of the Des Moines Public School District. He has over twenty years of experience in education, and you can read more about his experience via DMPS.

Dubuque
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration 2024: Leading with Strength of Soul
When: January 15 | 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Where: Grand River Center, 500 Bell St., Dubuque, IA 52001
About: Join face & voices for this annual celebration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Breakfast will be served at 7 a.m., and the program begins at 7:30 a.m. This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Ruth Haley Barton, an author, spiritual director, teacher, and founder of the Transforming Center Ministry. Tickets can be purchased here.

Forest City
MLK Jr. Day Celebration
When: January 15 | 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Boman Fine Arts Center, 225 John K Hanson Dr., Forest City, IA
About: In celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Waldorf will be having a day of celebration to honor Dr. King Jr.

Iowa City
UAY and ICPL Dr. King Series for Youth
When: January 12, 19 and 26| 5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: UAY Swaim Center, Clock Tower Plaza, 355 Iowa Ave.
About: Middle and High Schoolers are invited to UAY Swaim Center to discuss the work of Dr. King through books, art and advocate for tangible ways to implement his work that continues the universe’s arc bending towards justice.

MLK Day Family Storytime
When: January 15 | 10:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Where: ICPL Storytime Room
About: Learn about the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through stories, songs, short films, and a craft. Family Storytime is recommended for all ages and includes both shorter and longer activities combined with action games and activities.

MLK Day Celebration at Mercer
When: January 15 | 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Mercer Park and Aquatic Center
About: Observer MLK Day with us with literary outreach and access to books. We will be creating and decorating Little Free Libraries that will be placed around the community. Please consider donating to our gently used book drive!

University March and Community-Wide Celebration
When: January 15
Where: University of Iowa
About: Join the University of Iowa as we march together in unity, fostering collaboration across our community.

Screening of ‘The Road to Justice’
When: January 16 | 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Iowa City Public Library Meeting Room A
About: The Office of Equity and Human Rights and the Iowa City Public Library will host a community screening of The Road to Justice to recognize the National Day of Racial Healing. A facilitated discussion led by Dr. Negus Sankofa Imhotep will follow the screening.

The Road to Justice follows two groups on a civil rights tour through the American South as they reckon with our painful legacy of racial injustice. The first, a group of predominantly Black middle school students from Chicago, and the second, a group of older Americans who lived through the 1960s Civil Rights era. They come face to face with the leaders and everyday heroes whose courage and perseverance paved the way for future generations. View the trailer here.

Service Day – Kit Building for Those in Need
When: January 20 | 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Where: Student Activity Center (260 IMU)
About: Come together to make a positive impact by assembling kits for individuals facing various challenges.

Indianola
Punch 9 for Harold Washington – Film Screening
When: January 13 | 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Kent Campus Center, Black Box Theater
About: Producer and Des Moines native Sonya Jackson presents Punch 9 for Harold Washington, an award-winning 2021 documentary by Tallgrass Productions chronicling the election of Chicago’s first Black mayor in 1983.
Co-sponsored by the Black Student Union, Culver Public Policy Center, and Office of Multicultural & International Affairs.

Simpson Dialogue – MLK Jr. Day
When: January 15 | 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Kent Campus Center, Hubbell Hall I and Black Box Theater
About: Students are invited to register for a Simpson Dialogue program on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues with lunch to follow. Dialogue program to be held 10:00 – 11:30 a.m. in Hubbell Hall I (North); lunch with Dialogue debrief and reports to be served 11:30am – 12:30pm in Black Box Theater.

Marion

MLK Day Event – Community Event
When: January 15 | 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: 143 Marion Blvd., Marion, IA
About: Let’s celebrate together! Get ready for an awesome MLK Jr. Day bash on January 15! Come join the fun as we celebrate unity, diversity, and Dr. King’s legacy. Bonus activities for all ages in multiple playtime slots, including a traveling exhibit from the African American LIbrary.

Peosota

MLK Event Share your DREAM!
When: January 15 – January 19 | 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Lower Level Atrium, Northeast Iowa Community College, 8342 NICC Dr., Peosota, IA 52068
About: Write your Dream as we celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. FInd the display board in the cafe and join the NICC community and share our DREAM! Make sure to view the Underground Railroad traveling exhibit provided by the African American Museum of Iowa.

Sioux City
When: January 14 | 6 p.m.
Where: First Congregational Church of Chris, 4600 Hamilton Blvd.
About: Robert Tiefenthaler, the first African-American Iowa District 3 judge, will be the keynote speaker at the Sioux City NAACP Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday Celebration.The MLK Community Choir will also be singing.

West Des Moines
Free Tours & Book Giveaways
When: January 14 | 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Jordan House Museum, 2001 Fuller Rd.
About: Take a free tour of the historic Jordan House Museum and take part in book giveaways.

Greater Des Moines Partnership Multi-Cultural Reception
When: January 15 | 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: MidAmerican Energy Company RecPlex, 6500 Grand Ave.
About: Join us as we honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be filled with thought-provoking discussions, education exhibits, and scholarships and community awards. Don’t miss this chance to be a part of a community-driven celebration that invites all to stand united in creating a world where justice is upheld.

WDM MLK Day Celebration
When: January 15 | 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: MidAmerican Energy Company Rec Plex, 6500 Grand Ave.
About: Join us to hear from our keynote speaker, Rich A. Salas, Ph.D., Chief Diversity Officer at Des Moines University. Enjoy some refreshments and our Youth Scholarship and Community Leadership Awards presentations.

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Dem Caucus Info And MLK Day Events

Book Ban Distraction in Iowa

Posted on January 14, 2024 by Paul Deaton
Screenshot from Banned in the USA: The Growing Movement to Censor Books in School, PEN America, Sept. 19, 2022.

When the Iowa Legislature convened on Monday, House Majority Leader Pat Grassley reprised his position on banning books in schools. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reported:

Grassley doubled down on House Republicans’ efforts to remove books with sexual content from public school libraries and said Republicans may pass additional legislation to clarify or expand on the existing law.

In December, a federal judge temporarily blocked much of a law passed last year, Senate File 496, that banned books that depicted or described any of a list of sex acts from public schools and prohibited teaching about gender identity and sexual orientation before seventh grade, among a host of other regulations.

Lawmakers vow tax cuts, grieve school shooting by Caleb McCullough and Erin Burphy, Cedar Rapids Gazette, Jan. 9, 2024.

We couldn’t read Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger in K-12 when I attended in the 1960s. It was no big deal. I used my newspaper route money to buy a copy at the book store. Since when do we need government intrusion in work that school teachers, librarians and parents should already be doing? We don’t. In some ways, the focus on banning books is a distraction from a more significant problem: K-6 reading skills.

Would-be book banners argue that readers can still purchase books they can no longer access through public libraries the way I did when I was a grader. That is only true for those with the financial resources to do so. For many, particularly children and young adults, schools and public libraries are the only means to access literature.

When people talk about the “culture wars,” control of books available to K-6 students is a core issue. USA Today summarized:

Banned books are not new, but they have gained new relevance in an escalating culture war that puts books centering racism, sexuality and gender identity at risk in public schools and libraries.

A dramatic uptick in challenged books over the past few years, an escalation of censorship tactics, and the coordinated harassment of teachers and librarians has regularly put book banning efforts in news headlines.

Book bans are on the rise. What are the most banned books and why? by Barbara VanDenBurgh, USA Today, Sept. 29, 2023.

There is a basic tenant of society, supported by research, that children of less educated parents will read less and society will be the worse for it. The corollary is children of well-educated parents will read more and in so doing expand their horizons to see a better life beyond immediate family. Teaching reading in school has been a mainstay of elevating children above the social station in which they were born, creating possibilities for life that would otherwise rely upon chance and happenstance.

Government should fund programs that encourage reading, make sure funds are not abused, and then shut the hell up. Leave reading curricula to those who know it best: teachers, librarians and parents. Passing a new law revising a state book banning process is of value only as political fodder. It would not help with a more fundamental problem of reading skills in K-6 students.

On Friday, Jan. 12, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird filed notice of appeal of the federal district court’s decision to halt implementation of Senate File 496. The distraction continues.

Posted in Blog for Iowa | 1 Comment

Legislative Goals For The Greater Good

Posted on January 13, 2024 by Paul Deaton
Iowa State Capitol

Editor’s Note: This post was written by Mike Jacobsen who is an Iowa County Democrat. It is full of the kind of hope and common sense Democrats have in abundance. The post is published on Blog for Iowa with permission of the author.

As the 2024 legislative session begins in Des Moines, I write to express my hopes, concerns and recommendations for our legislators to focus on as they get back to work on behalf of Iowans at the Capitol. Priority No. 1 — stop the culture war madness of marginalizing and vilifying some of our most hardworking, vulnerable, and at-risk friends and neighbors including educators, immigrants, members of our LGBTQ community, the working poor and others. Focus on issues that really matter to everyday Iowans for the greater good.

Secondly, increase the quantity and quality of affordable child care options. My family of three children spends over $2,000 per month on these services — far more than our home mortgage. Why not increase the tax credit? Or, put some of that $5 billion surplus to work and help out working families with increased free early childhood education, investing in our future and helping to slow or even stop the brain drain of losing our best and brightest moving to other states.

Furthermore, increasing the quantity and quality of affordable housing options would be another big step toward keeping the next generation here in Iowa and making the American dream more attainable again. This also will make it easier for our employers to recruit and retain skilled labor.

Stop tax giveaways to the wealthy and well-connected. A progressive tax structure that helps middle- and working-class families should take precedence over more help for the ultrawealthy, well-connected political donors and corporations.

Clean up our rivers, lakes and streams once and for all. Most of our lakes are marred by algae blooms caused by excessive nitrate runoff.

Funding the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund passed in 2010 by 63 percent of Iowans would be a good start.

Public money for public schools … period. I support private schools but they are not held to the same standards as public schools in relation to transparency and accountability of our public tax dollars. However, if we are to continue down this road of public money used toward private aims then I respectfully request my own private PSA (Park Savings Account), RSA (Road Savings Account), SRSA (State Representative Savings Account, SSRA (State Senator Savings Account) and, — you guessed it — GSA (Governor Savings Account).

Let experts lead on issues again.

Just because I can procreate and am a parent does not mean I know a thing about teaching and educating students. Advanced knowledge in a content area, teaching methods, and pedagogy along with years of experience actually teaching students means I know — at least a thing or two — about teaching. The same goes for leaving health care decisions such as abortion up to the health care professionals with years of education and experience dealing with these extremely difficult and sometimes life-threatening situations.

Finally, get back to regular order.

Stop passing bills in the dead of night without proper debate and following standard procedure. Why does the current majority party feel the need to operate in the dark?

Attention and real action on these issues would mean a huge step forward for the state. I urge our elected officials to see the light under the golden dome and consider my Greater Good platform as they work to better the lives of all Iowans.

Michael J. Jacobsen works in higher education, and is a former high school economics, geography, government, psychology, sociology, U.S. history, world history, and world political theory teacher. He lives in Williamsburg. jacobsenmike84@gmail.com.

This article first appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on Jan. 9, 2024.

Posted in Iowa Legislature 2024 | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Why Democrats Should Attend Their Caucus

Posted on January 12, 2024 by Trish Nelson

Democrats will still be caucusing on Monday, January 15 even though there will not be a presidential preference process at the caucus. Presidential preference will be a mail-in ballot later. Monday night is for party business.

State auditor Rob Sand explains why it is still important to show up at your precinct caucus:

###

Monday night the eyes of the world will be on Iowa. While the focus is on the Republican side, Iowa Democrats have important work to do at our caucuses.

Find your precinct location here:

2024 Caucus

The Iowa caucuses are about citizens organizing together to improve their communities – and that work happens even when we aren’t picking a president. If you are upset about the direction of our state: from the corruption of partisan insiders to sending public dollars to private schools to ripping away fundamental freedoms, we need your help to organize for change.

Finally, Monday is MLK Day as well as the day of the Caucuses. It’s a day to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by both serving our community and taking part in our democracy.

You can find out about events in your community here

2024 Caucus

Thank you for all you are doing for our state!

—Rob Sand

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Why Democrats Should Attend Their Caucus

Kim Reynolds Speech Ripped To Shreds

Posted on January 11, 2024 by Trish Nelson

This public post by Molly Donahue refutes Governor Reynolds’ condition of the state speech, line by line (or shall we say lie by lie). Please give it a read. It will come in handy for talking points for letters and fighting back against the GOP’s ongoing terrible plans for drowning state government in the bathtub among other things. Thanks to Molly Donahue for providing this service to Iowans.

###

The governor gave her condition of the state tonight beginning with her thoughts and prayers that have gone on deaf GOP ears, because they are not willing to do what it takes to protect Iowa’s kids with sensible gun laws.

She went on to discuss Workforce- but she fails to fill jobs with workers, because her policies towards workers are not favorable. When you don’t champion the cause of workforce and labor, or protect workers’ rights, or foster a climate where every individual’s contribution is valued— you cannot build your workforce.

She has lead the state with divisiveness and the working environment here is driving workers away from Iowa.

Another area the governor discussed was educational freedom. Let’s be real there’s always been educational freedom and choice —now she’s using our taxpayer dollars to pay for those private schools that do not take all students. She is starving public schools, and the majority of Iowa’s students with a lack of funding —hurting rural Iowa & their ability to provide opportunities for their students. Parents have always had choice— but tax dollars do not belong in private schools.

As promised, the governor attacked AEAs — the area education associations, that support and help protect students as part of their duties. The AEA as proven this past week after the Perry shooting, that are imperative to the supports that schools need not just for special education, resources, and support, but for crisis team management. Special education is dependent on these AEAs and the resources and supports that they provide to some of our most vulnerable students. She has underfunded public education which includes special education, and she has systematically started the dismantling of AEAs through stripping funding year after year by around $100 million in the past six years to these agencies who provide the support that people need for special education. If she continue to attack AEAs, special ed will never close the gap. Maybe that’s her plan?

The governor says she wants to do right by educators by making sure that they receive a pay raise. However, she’s only giving that pay raise to the new starting teachers. That is not investment in educators. That is how you make teachers leave the field —because those who have been teaching for 5-11 years will be making the same amount as a brand new teacher. If you increase starting salaries by $7000, every teacher’s salary should increase that much. It’s time that the governor put the money where her mouth is —if she truly wants educators in this state and to maintain educators in this state, then she must do better by ALL educators in this state.

The governor thinks that funding to help families in need due to lower social economic status should be picked up primarily by nonprofits and faith-based organizations rather than the state. Those faith-based organizations and nonprofits are the ones that came to state looking for help to fill those gaps many years ago because the numbers of people in need in Iowa were so great. Those social safety nets, protect children, feed children, and house children —helping families get back on their feet. Those numbers have now increased exponentially much in part due to the policies put in place by this governor. The faith-based and nonprofit groups have already pleaded with legislators across the state to not put any more burden on them to pick up the slack so that the state won’t have to. They simply are stretched too thin to provide for all of the needs that Iowa has today.

Our governor needs to take care of those that are in need rather than turn the blind eye —and stop handing out our tax dollars as credits to those who don’t need it.

Every year governor talks about mental health and says it’s her priority. However, it’s always an unfunded mandate, and unfunded programs, and unfunded policies. Will this year be any different? Do we have greater need? Yes, are some of those needs based in an opioid crisis —most likely yes. But we must find a sustainable ways to take care of our people right here in the state, where they have the support of their families. We have to provide both mental health to those in need, as well as reform how we deal with drug abuse, providing more programs rather than incarceration. We need to provide funding and programming that promote caring for individuals rather than holding cells.

The governor also spoke about her reducing departments in state government, and how that is saving millions of dollars for Iowans. But she failed to show the data to prove that savings and key us not forget that by reducing the number of departments, the governor actually grew government —by forcing all of those departments underneath one umbrella, her office. Now nearly all departments “serve at the pleasure of the governor”. That reduces transparency and oversight of our tax dollars and how she’s using them.

The governor also spoke about the unemployment policy that she got put into place last year, which reduced the number of weeks that one could be on unemployment. She touts the success of this program by stating that more Iowans are now working rather than collecting a check from the state. This is not including the majority of Iowa’s workers that are seasonal, who simply are going unpaid because they cannot take a part-time, minimum wage job, and still return to their work when the weather allows. Another one of her failed policies that are driving Iowans out of the state. Those dollars are funded by employers, so that when- at no fault of their own, employees become unemployed, they have the ability to take care of their families until they can find a comparable job or go back to their seasonal employment.

She bragged about her wasteful tax dollar spending by sending troops and officers to the border to make political points with the Republican Party. She spoke about protecting the land from foreign buyers, but failed to say that she would protect the land from private profit. This governor has no problem letting a private company take land through eminent domain for private profit, and that is not what eminent domain was meant to do.

Landowners should not have to fear their governor, allowing their land being taken away. She touted her tax plans as successful by lowering income tax for workers, saying that’s more money in their pockets, but that money is pennies on the dollar compared to the cost of living increases, and the amount of money that she’s already taken in surplus and not spent for the people, but given away in tax credits for the wealthy. (There is no such thing as a surplus. You either are not paying for amenities that need to be paid for, or you’re taking too many dollars from the taxpayers)— in this case I would say it’s both. But those tax dollars should be returned to the taxpayers, not to tax credits. We also must support our communities, cities, towns, and counties with those tax dollars so that they can provide police and fire and safe roadways among the many things local governments provide. Our governor has not done that. She has, however, utilized the funding coming from the Biden administration to cover many of the things she has failed to provide as governor.

The bottom line is that we cannot forget the governor’s hateful actions and policies this past year. Her culture wars and her hateful policies that now reside in lawsuits and in court rooms. The governor’s policies have driven people out of the state. Cutting taxes does not bring people to Iowa, low wages & poor working conditions and climates does not bring young people back to Iowa. The climate & culture here with the divisiveness will not bring people to Iowa —it drives them away. If we want a strong economy and successful communities, we need better policies —and we must fund them.

We need change in Iowa and what we have right now is not the answer. Next November, I hope you make the choice to make change when you go to the ballot box so that we can bring back accountability, opportunities, and true freedoms for ALL of our neighbors, friends, and family.

 

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Kim Reynolds Speech Ripped To Shreds

Melton For Iowa 2024 Weekly Update

Posted on January 10, 2024 by Trish Nelson

Help Ryan Melton turn IA-04 blue or at least purple. Sign up below for his excellent newsletter. It is excellent because you actually learn something. He doesn’t just give you talking points then ask for money. He gives you something of value drawing from his experiences talking with Iowans on the campaign trail. 

###

This is Ryan Melton, Democrat running for the U.S. House in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District. During my 2024 campaign, I’ll send you a weekly email to keep you in the loop while not overwhelming your inbox. Typically, the newsletter will be a review from the week prior: Where we went, what issues of note were on the minds of those I met with, where we’ll be in the next week, etc.

Where we went and what people were concerned about:

Last week, I had the privilege of speaking to the lovely folks in Audubon and Nevada. Nevada was a packed house, and considering it’s my home town, that really got me pumped up.

Last week on the campaign trail, the hot button issues folks cared most about were:

I’d say the most notable thing from last week was the response folks had to Gov. Reynolds rejecting millions of dollars of federal aid to feed hungry kids in low income households during the summer months. There are certainly a lot of upset Iowans regarding that decision on the campaign trail, and I too am frustrated by Reynolds’ decision.

Similarly, I heard yet again this argument from someone one the right today that giving hungry kids federal food assistance creates a dependency upon that program that stunts the growth of that person, that makes it harder for them to be self reliant.

I grew up in poverty, in a financially stressed neighborhood in Omaha, Nebraska full of neighbors going through the same thing. My single mom worked all throughout my childhood, sometimes needing food stamps (or SNAP benefits as they are known as today) to feed my two siblings and I. At no point in time did this assistance create a dependency on the federal aid. At no point did I, my mom, my siblings, or my neighbors think that since we were receiving such assistance that we had it made, that life was good, that we were content. Living in poverty is, for the most part, living in misery. A little bit of financial help so we can eat didn’t change that. If anything, it gave us one less thing to worry about that made it more likely that we’d be able to work our way out of that tough spot so we’d no longer need the help.

The data also bears this out. Per the link below, roughly only a third of those who receive SNAP benefits stay on those benefits for more than three years (and of course many of those folks are unable to work due to age or disability). Another third stay on it less than a year. It’s a hand up, not a hand out.

I’m the candidate that believes in feeding our kids, all of them.

Our schedule for this week:

Wednesday, January 10th at 5 pm, Albion Library in Albion

Saturday, January 13th all day, Progress Iowa Conference in West Des Moines

Sunday, January 14th, I’ll start door knocking to gather signatures in Story County

Recent press/social media posts of note:

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/blogs/random-samplings/2015/05/how-long-do-people-receive-assistance.html

We again are rejecting all Corporate PAC money, so we really rely on, and are extremely grateful for your support. We’ll spend your donations on ways to expand our reach to as many voters as possible, including:

-Post cards and other mailers and postage

-Hand out cards for events

-Text messaging campaigns

-Transportation costs for events and door knocking

-Campaign website costs

-Radio ads, Social Media Ads, and (hopefully) TV ads

-Our campaign managers

Finally, if you have anyone else in mind that would like to be added to our email list or who would be interested in volunteering, let us know at melton4iowa@gmail.com!

Let’s keep fighting the good fight together!

Ryan Melton

Donate to help our campaign!

 

Posted in Blog for Iowa | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Melton For Iowa 2024 Weekly Update