Iowans value our public educators, librarians, and our students receiving an honest and accurate education. Unfortunately, some Iowa Republicans have forgotten these values and are on a crusade against books and our educators. We have seen consistent attacks from some state lawmakers against diverse ideas and books, with the Iowa Senate President even introducing a law earlier this year that would have jailed educators for distributing books with diverse perspectives and stories.
(more…)Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the country added 528,000 jobs in July and the unemployment rate fell to 3.5%:
(more…)Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to the U.S. House passing the Assault Weapons Ban of 2022:
“No matter which part of Iowa we come from, most of us, including gun owners, support common sense gun laws like the Assault Weapons Ban passed today with bipartisan support.
“The bipartisan assault weapons ban would protect all of us from gun violence. When a similar ban was in place from 1994-2004, mass shooting fatalities were seventy percent less likely to occur. That’s why gun owners, including police, support laws that deliver freedom from gun violence and improve safety.
“Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, all three of Iowa’s Republican House members voted against this bipartisan bill. Rep. Cindy Axne was the only member of Iowa’s congressional delegation to support this legislation that would no doubt prevent gun violence and save lives.
“We are calling on Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst to honor the lives of those lost to gun violence and vote ‘yes’ on this legislation to keep our communities safe, prevent further tragedy, and deliver freedom from gun violence to Iowans.”
Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response calling on Iowa’s senators to vote in favor of the Respect for Marriage Act:
(more…)“Iowans believe that we all deserve dignity and respect, no matter our race, income or who we love.
“But last month, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, allowing radical Republican state leaders to take away our fundamental right to an abortion reproductive healthcare. We knew it wouldn’t end there. Now, Justice Clarence Thomas is suggesting the Court reconsider rulings that protect same-sex and interracial marriage, as well as access to contraception.
“Now is the time to act. The U.S. House has already passed the Respect for Marriage Act, which would protect marriage equality. Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst will not commit to supporting the bill. We’re calling on them to vote “yes” on this important legislation when it comes to a vote in the Senate. We deserve lawmakers who value our fundamental rights, not those who simply shrug at efforts to protect them.”
Cyclists taking part in this year’s RAGBRAI will be able to see impacts of President Biden’s American Rescue Plan
Cyclists will be hitting the trails starting this weekend on the Register’s Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa. As they travel across the state, they will be able to see several of the ways funds from the American Rescue Plan have already positively impacted our state.
(more…)Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to a new Morning Consult Political Intelligence survey showing Gov. Reynolds is the 7th most unpopular governor in America:
(more…)Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to a new report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the country added 372,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate held steady at 3.6%:
(more…)Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to President Biden signing an executive order protecting abortion rights this afternoon:
(more…)“No matter our income or where we live, Iowans believe in protecting our freedom to reproductive health and safety which includes the access to abortion.
“Today’s executive order by President Biden is a great step forward in protecting the right to an abortion. His action today will ensure Americans maintain access to FDA-approved medication abortion and other reproductive health services such as emergency contraception and birth control.
“But we can’t stop here. Our elected leaders must codify the right to an abortion and protect reproductive health and safety across the country.”
Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to reports that three people were killed, including the suspect, in a shooting at Cornerstone Church in Ames tonight:
(more…)To: Interested Parties
From: Iowa Senate Democratic Leader Zach Wahls
RE: Reynolds Workforce Crisis is a Worker Crisis
Date: May 19, 2022
Overview
Iowa Workforce Development will release its report on the April jobs numbers tomorrow. In advance of that report, Iowans should have all the facts surrounding Iowa’s workforce crisis, created by Governor Kim Reynolds. Since taking office, Gov. Reynolds has refused to enact policies that support working Iowans. Instead, she has focused on cutting unemployment benefits and forcing Iowans into jobs that don’t pay enough, all in an effort to give the wealthy and big businesses massive tax breaks. Iowans need our governor to value hard work and make sure employers pay their employees what they are owed. We can’t solve the Reynolds workforce crisis by continuing to sell out to corporations. We must attract workers by making Iowa a great place to live, work and raise a family. We need to keep young Iowans in Iowa.
(more…)Progress Iowa Executive Director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement in response to the deadly mass shootings that took place in Buffalo, NY and Laguna Woods, CA this weekend:
(more…)“Our hearts go out to all of the victims of this weekend’s deadly mass shootings. We grieve with those whose loved ones were injured or killed in these terrible events.
“Law enforcement is investigating each of these crimes, but what we do know is that the 18-year-old white man accused of killing 10 and injuring three others at a Buffalo, NY supermarket, specifically targeted Black victims. The suspect had planned to shoot and kill even more Black people before being stopped by police.
“There is no doubt that this was a hate crime. And it’s clear where the blame lies. For years, Republicans have enabled white supremacists by failing to denounce and reject racist rhetoric, which has led to countless other violent attacks on Americans based on their race. Once again, we are seeing stark differences in how a white suspect is characterized in comparison to Black suspects. This trend cannot continue. Not only do we need to improve gun laws for public safety, but the press, police and each of us must work to rectify this injustice.
“Sadly, the deadly shooting in Buffalo wasn’t the only act of gun violence committed this weekend. While it’s not clear that the suspect in Sunday’s deadly shooting in Laguna Woods, CA was racially motivated, we do know that for years, Republicans have worked to weaken our country’s gun laws, making it much easier for anyone to obtain a firearm. These continued attacks on gun control laws have made all of our communities less safe.
“Congressional leaders must stand up against hate and condemn and punish any lawmaker that promotes white supremacy, white nationalism, “replacement theory” or anti-semitism. Our lawmakers must also pass common sense gun laws to ensure the safety of our communities.”
Dozens of groups and countless activists across the state are coming together to organize rallies and protests in support of Roe v. Wade and every Iowans’ right to comprehensive healthcare. Progress Iowa will be keeping a running list of upcoming events as we all work together to productive reproductive rights in Iowa and across the country. If you’d like to add an event to this list, please email ivy@progressiowa.org.
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