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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