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.”