Forum for Municipal Candidates
October 10, 2017
7:00 pm
Muscatine City Hall
Mayor: Diana Broderson, Charlie Harper
2nd Ward: Oz Malcolm, Michael Rehwaldt
4th Ward: Nadine Brockert, Vance Crumly, Brian Freitag and Larry Murray
At-large: Kelsey Brackett, Kerry Denison, and Scott Natvig
October 10, 2017
7:00 pm
Muscatine City Hall
Mayor: Diana Broderson, Charlie Harper
2nd Ward: Oz Malcolm, Michael Rehwaldt
4th Ward: Nadine Brockert, Vance Crumly, Brian Freitag and Larry Murray
At-large: Kelsey Brackett, Kerry Denison, and Scott Natvig
October 24, 2017
7:00 pm
Muscatine Community College, Student Center
MCC has been approved as a site to hold a webinar with former
UN Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice, who also served on the National Security Council.
Also speaking will be I. Allan Barber, President of Denver-Hainan Corporation. Mr. Barber began working with Chinese executives and officials in 1987, assisting with the development of Hainan Island, a new Special Economic Zone (SEZ).
Thanks to all members who helped with the school board candidates’ forum. We put our newest member, Nora Dwyer, to work timing while Debbie Paulson, Mel Steckel, and Paula Stover worked the crowd.
I attended the September meeting of Iowa League Leaders in Marshalltown. Discussions centered on new rules for voter registration in Iowa. GROW means to grow in all areas, membership, leadership, focus, outreach, funding, engagement, and sustainability.
LWVIA is not joining a lawsuit against the Secretary of State because a partisan SuperPAC, Foundation for Priorities USA, funds the litigator. Some of the attorneys and firms coordinating voting rights lawsuits have strong connections to the Democratic Party and SuperPACs, including Priorities USA. While the League supports the core issues of the lawsuits, we open ourselves up to criticism and put our nonpartisan reputation on the line if we allow SuperPACs to fund our lawsuits and political operatives to represent us.
I learned that one league offers prorated dues/membership based on age:
Student $5
Under 39 $20
Under 55 $40
What do you think of that!?
I also learned that there are people in West Branch who are interested in starting a League. This is so exciting! I am hoping that our League and reach out to them and help them GROW!
--Sue
The trees we planted in memory of Catherine Miller and Betty Smith are growing at the arboretum!
Another season of voter service begins! On August 31, our League hosted a forum for school board candidates. The number of candidates was bigger, five candidates for three seats, and the audience at City Hall was bigger. I am grateful for both. Thanks to all who step up to throw their hats in the ring, and thanks to all who take time to learn about the candidates and make an informed choice. The candidates are Chris Anderson, Tim Bower, Tammi Drawbaugh, Beverly Gerdts, and Toby McCarter. You can read the Journal’s piece , watch the video on the Muscatine Access You Tube Channel ,or cable #2/702 on Friday-Sunday at 10am, 1:00 and 4:00 pm.
Thanks to Nora Dwyer for timing, Mel Steckel and Debbie Paulson for collecting questions from the audience, and Paula Stover and Jean Clark for support.
Our League volunteers will be available to register voters as part of the National Voter Registration Day, September 26, 2017. Jean Clark will go to Muscatine Community College while Ann and Paul Mayes will go to Muscatine High School. We hope to increase the number of registered voters in Muscatine County.
Our voter service efforts continue on October 10, 7:00 at City Hall as our League hosts a forum for the candidates for mayor and city council of Muscatine. The Candidates have until September 21 to file their papers.
Mayor: Diana Broderson, Charlie Harper, Vance Crumly
2nd Ward: seat currently held by Michael Rehwaldt*; Oz Malcolm
4th Ward: seat currently held by Bob Bynum*; Nadine Brockert and Larry Murray
At-large: Scott Natvig, Phoenice Mason, Kerry Denison, Kelsey Brackett
*not formally announced
With the next meeting of Kris Kobach’s sham commission announced for September 12th in New Hampshire, LWVUS encourages Leagues to reach out to their local press and speak out against this commission. We have updated the League talking points and included a sample Letter-to-the-Editor template on our resources page. Use this link to see the talking points https://goo.gl/BFDSFk
A short summary of all of the League’s public policy positions is available in Impact on Issues. Please use these short summaries as a quick reference guide for the League’s various positions.
This is a great resource for new and seasoned members!
Mel Steckel volunteered to coordinate membership. Please work with Mel to think of potential members. You are the best link to your friends and acquaintances. Invite and bring them to a League meeting!
Get Registered, Go Vote!
The role of the League of Women Voters has never been more important in registering voters and giving them the opportunity to vote in elections. Every person who exercises their franchise at the ballot box strengths our democracy. Every member of our League is needed to make our democracy work in Muscatine, Iowa and the USA. As you continue to read you will see many opportunities to reach out into the community to help citizens become voting members. Your participation is so important. I can’t wait to work with you on the following important events.
Sue
School Board Election September 12
LWV Muscatine County will host two forums for candidate. The school board forum will be August 22 at 7:00 at City Hall. Tammi Drawbaugh and Tim Bower have announced they are running. A candidate’s first day to file for election was July 10 and the last day is August 3.
City Election November 7
LWV Muscatine County is hoping and planning to have candidates for mayor and city council speak and answer questions on October 10 at 7 pm at City Hall. If candidates are not available, this could change. Mayoral candidates are Diana Broderson and DeWayne Hopkins. Candidates for At-Large are Scott Natvig and Phoneice Mason, 2nd Ward candidates are Michael Rehwaldt and Oz Malcolm, 4th Ward candidates are Bob Bynum, Nadine Brockert, and Larry Murray. The first day to file papers is August 28 and the last day to file is Sept. 21.
National Voter Registration Day – September 26
Leagues across the country will recognize National Voter Registration Day (NVRD. Plans are being made now to celebrate this day by registering voters at sites in Muscatine.
If you are new to League or have never registered voters before, and would like to help, we offer easy, on the job training so you will fit in at any of our upcoming events.
These events are a great way to meet other members and learn more about LWV.
Calendar
August 31 - School Board Candidates’ meeting
September 12 - School Board Election Day
September 26 National Voter Registration Day
October 10 - Municipal and Mayoral Candidates’ meeting
October 24 - Panel discussion on good government and transparency
November 7 Election Day
November 28 - Local Water Quality, Solar, and Billing with MPW
December - no meeting
January - State topic to be determined
February - Food Insecurity and Shelter
March - 27 - To be determined
April 22 - Annual Meeting
May 22 - Calendar Planning
Muscatine Port Gets the Green Light
The city of Muscatine and Kent Corp. were awarded in 2016 to study the feasibility of a port facility. The study, prepared by HDR, Inc. of Kansas City, found the site has “the right Attributes for the development of a river terminal and port district.” The site has access to the highway, is adjacent to an active rail line that serves industrial users and is near the industrial park. The site also has utility access and room for storage and other potential warehouse buildings. HDR, Inc., said the location is ideal because the area has deeper waters than other parts of the river, which would accommodate larger barges, making the port more competitive.
Muscatine’s Community Development Director, Dave Gobin, said shippers and Muscatine residents will see economic benefits from the development of the terminal.
The next steps in the project include designating a “port Zone” that would include all existing industrial activities in the city, developing a public-private partnership to govern the site, developing a site plan and business plan, and preparing for construction.
Muscatine Journal, Sarah Ritter, June 8, 2017
Voter ID in Iowa
Changes in Voter ID were not what the League wanted but we will persist! I see our role as helping the public know about the changes so they can continue to exercise their right to vote. These are the changes:
From LWVUS
The League Opposed the Senate Health Care Plan
The U.S. Senate’s plan to cut health care for 22 million Americans, cut Medicaid and reduce access to health care for women has failed. This is a small victory to maintain quality affordable care for all Americans. Thank you to all who contacted legislators.
League Joins Letter to Secretaries of State Regarding Pence-Kobach Commission Data Request
The League joined a letter sent to all 50 Secretaries of State condemning and opposing the data request by President Trump's advisory commission. The League continues to stand with the election officials who have rejected the request for sensitive information and urges those that have not responded to carefully consider future responses to the commission.
Reject “Election Integrity” Commission’s Voter Suppression Agenda!
Join the 11,000+ League supporters who have signed the petition saying they will not let the ‘Election Integrity’ Commission’s efforts to investigate voter fraud threaten their ability to exercise their right to vote.
More on The New Jim Crow
Ban the Box
A new report released by the Center for American Progress highlights how mass incarceration and over criminalization in the United States have served as significant barriers to economic security and prosperity, especially for people of color. According to the report, “a criminal record is a permanent obstacle to economic security.” However, the report also finds hope: “Thoughtful, well-executed reforms can ease access to the labor market for people with criminal records. These fair chance hiring policies, including ban the box, can ensure that employers evaluate candidates not on their criminal history but instead on their ability to do their jobs successfully.”
https://www.americanprogress.org/issues/economy/reports/2017/07/27/436756/ban-box-beyond/
Just a few thoughts as I reflect on State Convention in Grinnell. The theme was “We’re Not There Yet!” Kathie Obradovich, political columnist for the Des Moines Register, and O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa, shared stories filled with humor and history with attendees in the Harris Center on Friday night.
Kathie Obradovich, Des Moines Register, Mary Rae Bragg, LWVIA President and O. Kay Henderson, Radio Iowa
On Saturday the business meeting highlights included a report from our lobbyist. The standouts from the legislative session were Voter ID, water quality funding, criminal justice on mandatory sentencing, and following the money.
League lost this round. The Iowa Legislature changed laws to
School Elections will change so elections will be held in November with City Elections starting in 2019.
Campaign check-off will disappear.
Water Quality funds increased to $10,575,000 from $9,529,201.
Crack cocaine disparity in sentencing reduced to 2:5, but new mandatory minimums were created for attempted murder of a police officer.
Mental Health The per capita rates fixes disparities in the mental health regions but not in ours. Eastern Iowa has a big disparity because Scott County’s per capita is low in comparison to other counties creating a shortfall of $3 million.
$$ The Legislature dipped into the “rainy day funds” for $131 million and transferred $25 million to balance the books. While they gave $4.5 million in property tax credits and cut $88.1 million in deappropriations.
I hope this has sparked your interest. To learn more about these bills go to LWVIA Bill Tracker, http://www.ialobby.com/billtracker/lwvia/ or http://www.ialobby.com/billtracker/ I had a good time in Grinnell connecting with other League leaders. I hope you will join me next time!
Linda Meloy, Treasurer
LWVIA State Board
The Latest!
Our May meeting at Wine Nutz was a big hit! We drafted a calendar for 2017-18, talked about many topics of local interest, and gained two new members!
Welcome Nora Dwyer and Pam Joslyn to LWV Muscatine
County! Mike Johannsen joined at Annual Meeting. We are glad you joined!
Please share ideas from our calendar with your friends and bring them along to a League meeting. It is through personal connections we share our interests and associations.
What day works for you? We meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month most of the time. Does that work for you? Please reply and let me know. I am interested in what you think.
August 22 - School Board Candidates’ meeting
September 12 - School Board Election Day
October 10th - Municipal and Mayoral Candidates’ meeting
October 24 - Panel discussion on good government and transparency
November 7 Election Day
November 28 - Local Water Quality, Solar, and Billing with MPW
December - No Meeting
January - State topic to be determined
February - Food Insecurity and Shelter
March 27 - To be determined
April 22 - Annual Meeting
May 22 - Calendar Planning
Areas of interest that came up in the brainstorming included domestic violence, a film series at the library, the discussion topic of what makes a good citizen, and an update on Muscatine’s port. Which of these topics speaks to you?
From LWVUS
In 2020 the 19th Amendment will be 100 years old. There is a Centennial Celebration Committee working on ways to raise awareness and spread the news. I volunteered to work on curriculum for high school students. I will meet with others June 9-10 in Grinnell.
LWVIA hold its Convention in Grinnell on June 9-10. I am looking forward to being with other League leaders and hearing direction and priorities for the next year. On Friday night we will hear speakers Kathie Obradovich and O. Kay Henderson. Obradovich is a political columnist for the Des Moines Register and O. Kay Henderson is Radio Iowa News Director. I predict it will be lively!
I hope you are ready to help register voters. Someone will be calling you to enlist your help later in the summer. Let’s make Democracy Work!
Sue
The battle over legislation that would repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) continues in the U.S. Senate where a small group of Senators are secretly working
to make decisions that will cut coverage, raise rates and give the richest
Americans tax breaks at the expense of everyone else.
Take action NOW by calling or emailing your Senators today!
I know some of our members are interested in immigration. Here’s an opportunity you won’t want to miss.
As immigration reform is becoming a priority issue in the League and in our nation, a new LWV online discussion group has been formed to discuss immigration issues. Join to learn what’s happening all across our nation to people who re-enter the U.S. unlawfully but have no record of serious criminal activity, to people who are deported but have American-born children, to children who enter the U.S.unlawfully with their parents when they grow up and try to get a job. This discussion group is for League members to share ideas, resources, successes, and questions. To receive an invitation to join the group, please contact Linda Wassenich (LindaVote@gmail.com) or Meredith Machen (meredith.machen@gmail.com).
The League joined the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights on a letter to President Trump expressing concern that the civil and human rights of all Americans are being drastically undermined by the administration’s proposed deep cuts to key civil rights office budgets, the withdrawal of numerous important civil and human rights policies, and the appointment of officials who appear bent on retreating from statutory civil and human rights agency priorities.
Community Read Success!
The war on drugs funnels big money to drug lords, bankers, and militarized police. Seizure of assets provides funds for law enforcement to continue targeting people of color.
One solution is rewriting laws so non-violent crimes of possession of small amounts of drugs does not result in years of prison time and felony charges. Another solution is offering coordination of basic needs when someone is released from prison.
Thanks to all the members who helped with publicity and support. Special thanks to Susan Cory for her assistance in making this event happen!
President's Message
Adventure and challenge are at the heart of trying new things. Co-sponsoring with MCC and the Alexander G. Clark Lecture Series offered new contacts and valuable relationships. It was a pleasure to work with Naomi DeWinter, President of MCC.
For the second year, LWV Muscatine County offered a community read to the people of Muscatine. Timely topics and motivated participants yielded great turnouts and discussions. We are particularly appreciative of the time and efforts given by Adrien Wing, U of Iowa Law School. She offered a level of expertise on mass incarceration and the New Jim Crow.
Professor Wing shared real personal stories from her own life. She told about her family being denied tables at restaurants because of their color. In reviewing The New Jim Crow she showed how racial control has always been with us: slavery, poverty, disenfranchisement, and prisons. She showed how racism is an economic issue that stretches back to colonization. Black people historically were “the workers,” and now they are “the work” of prisons.
Disenfranchisement weakens the community and country. Historically, people of color could not vote. When the franchise was given in1870 to men and 1920 to women, whites used literacy tests to control who could vote. Now, being a felon results in a similar form of disenfranchisement. Wing called racism a cancer in society that cannot be fixed with band aids. An all out blitz is needed to address it!
Bill Tracker
You can follow legislation in Des Moines at Bill Tracker: http://www.ialobby.com/billtracker/bills.cfm?Cli entID=14&NoHeader=0
UMRR ILO
In the past month, I have been reminded of the Inter-League Organization focused on the Mississippi River and watershed. Sue Wilson is in Dubuque and is always looking for interested volunteers. If the health of the Mississippi River attracts your attention and you would like to be our League's contact, let me know. Our March 28th meeting will focus on the Upper Mississippi River Region. This is a calendar change due to scheduling conflicts. Mike Johannsen will speak in April at our Annual Meeting rather than in March.
Taxation without Representation
The people of Washington, D.C. deserve the same rights that the people in the 50 states enjoy. District residents are required to fulfill all the obligations of U.S. citizenship—paying taxes,
voting, and serving on juries and in the military. Yet for over 200 years, we have been denied a voice in our national government and sovereignty over state and local affairs. Admitting the residential and commercial parts of DC as a state will at last give us representation in Congress and control over our state and local government. Where do things now stand with DC’s quest to become the 51st State? The New Columbia Admission Act has been introduced in both the Senate and the House with multiple co-sponsors representing many States. In the 114th Congress there are 133 sponsors in the House and 20 in the Senate, at this writing. The next step is to pass such legislation and get it signed into law. To do that will require the support of Americans from across the country, the support of a majority in the US Congress, and the support of the President.
League Calls on U.S. House to Keep Key Elements of the ACA
The League sent an action alert urging members of the grassroots lobby corps to contact their Representatives regarding the Repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Please contact your Representatives or call 866-426-2631 to be connected via phone. You can also use this page to contact your Senators. Tell your member of Congress:
• Don’t repeal the Affordable Care Act without an effective plan that will assure we have affordable, quality health insurance.
• Now is not the time to take away health care protections and coverage without an effective plan that will assure we have affordable, quality health insurance.
• Stop rushing to make major changes that will harm millions of Americans while throwing the U.S. health care system into disarray.
Now is a good time to contact your legislators!
League Position on “A Day Without A Woman”
March 8th is International Women’s Day and this year there is a coordinating event to recognize the gender pay gap in the workforce with “A Day Without A Woman” protest. In solidarity with the event, we encourage our members to wear red on March 8 and to support women-owned businesses. While we respect that some women can take the day off from their jobs in protest, we at the League can't lose a single day working to protect voting rights and so the League will not participate in the strike. Our full position statement on the event is available HERE.
President's Message
There is a new balance to our state house and Congress. A blast of issues faces us each day. Whether voting rights and ID's or immigration, reproductive rights or the science of climate change, the League of Women Voters is working. League action alerts and legislative updates come to you and other members.
Thank you to all who contacted legislators on the latest League issues. There will be more and your voice is important. So, stay tuned and ready to call, message, or email your legislators.
Community Read, Feb. 28, MCC Student Center 7:00 pm.
I hope everyone will make a real effort to attend the community read on Feb. 28, 7:00 pm., at the Student Center at MCC. Adrien Wing, associate dean at U of I law school will give background and lead discussion of the book, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. League is cosponsoring with MCC and the Alexander Clark Cultural Series. Books are available at the Musser Public Library. Check it out!
Adrien Wing
March is Mental Health
Michael Johannsen, Muscatine County Community Services Director will speak at our regular monthly meeting. We will meet on March 28, 7:00 pm, at the Duncan Room. How has mental health changed with privatization? What parts were expected and unexpected? What is the future for those who have mental health concerns and their families? Come and learn.
Container Terminal Port for Muscatine
Dave Gobin spoke to our League in January. There were about 20 people who attended. He clarified that the city of Muscatine and private interests await the findings of a feasibility study. That study would provide options for the city and private partners to create a container terminal port south of the city.
The new port would allow truck, train, and barges to move containers to and from other businesses and countries. Concerns were expressed about air quality, railroad noise, and increased trucking.
Gobin said the port could be completed in a couple of years without impact to the taxpayer.
Invitation to a Webinar: The Case for Pricing Carbon (NEW)
As the evidence of accelerated climate change and its impact on society mounts, there is an increasing sense of urgency to find solutions. Join a webinar hosted by the LWVUS Price on Carbon Steering Committee to learn how putting a price on carbon works and why scientists, economists and world leaders view pricing carbon as an essential strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. RSVP to join us on February 21, 2:00-3:00 pm EST, for an insightful and informative presentation by internationally renowned science historian and author, Dr. Naomi Oreskes. For more information, please contact Eleanor Revelle, Chair, LWVUS Climate Change Task Force, at er@revelle.net.
League Joins Letter in Support of DACA (NEW)
The League joined a letter with the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and other groups in support of the Obama Administration's 2012 executive action on "Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)." The action puts in place common sense and compassionate measures for immigrants who were brought to this country as children, have grown up here, and cannot rationally be blamed for their lack of legal immigration status. If President Trump moves forward with his vow to overturn the action, he would disrupt the lives of 750,000 immigrants and their families across the country.
"The League of Women Voters (LWV) is opposed to deportation of non-criminal undocumented immigrants.
The League supports cities, towns, counties and states that make a decision not to cooperate with federal deportation and enforcement actions that include non-criminal undocumented immigrants.
Moreover, the Trump Administration’s orders are of dubious legality. It is simply wrong, and a perversion of the American system of justice, for the executive branch to refuse to obey federal court orders.
The LWV is opposed to discrimination, including discrimination in immigration, based on religion. The Trump Administration’s orders appear to be targeted at Muslims and immigrants from majority-Muslims nations."
Looking Ahead
National Convention 2018 will be in Chicago, June 28 -July 1, 2017. Would you go and represent out League? Going to National Convention is a thrilling experience, memorable and a great learning opportunity. Could you go? Call Sue if you are interested.
Award Winners!
Pictured above are League members who attended the November 12 ACLU of Iowa Bill of Rights brunch. Pictured front row, left to right, are Jean Basinger, former state senator Johnie Hammond, Karen Person, Rita Bettis, past LWVIA president Bonnie Pitz holding the award, and Kathy Herman. Pictured back row, are Linda Murken, Judie Hoffman, Devita Harden, EJ Gallagher, and Kathy Kahoun.
The League of Women Voters of Iowa was presented the Edward S. Allen Award at the ACLU Bill of Rights Brunch at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center. The Edward S. Allen Award was created by the ACLU of Iowa to recognize Iowans who are long-time civil liberties heroes. It is named after the founder of the ACLU of Iowa, Edward S. Allen, an Iowa State University math professor and pioneer civil libertarian who dedicated his life to social justice. The Allen award is given only in years where there is one or more appropriate recipients, who have shown sustained contributions to advance civil liberties in our state. The ACLU stated, “The Iowa League of Women Voters has been a stalwart, active, highly effective partner and supporter of our voting rights efforts in the state for decades, most recently filing an amicus brief in the Griffin v. Pate ex-felon voting rights case in front of the Iowa Supreme Court which was authored on its behalf by the Brennan Center.”
LWV Muscatine County Voter January 2017
From the President,
Happy New Year! It’s January 4 and two Action Alerts prompt us to contact our Senators and Representative urging Congress to address 1) President-elect Trump's unprecedented and unconstitutional conflicts of interest and 2)oppose efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Check your emails for Action Alerts from LWVUS President Chris Carson for details.
PORT AUTHORITY
January offers an opportunity to learn more about issues close to home. Port authority was on member’s minds at calendar planning time. Dave Gobin, Muscatine’s Community Development Director, will share information about moves to make Muscatine a port authority on January 24, at 7 pm, in the Duncan Room, 315 Iowa Ave. Did you know that Muscatine received a Linking Iowa’s Freight Transportation System (LIFTS) grant in February? The LIFTS Grant is an 80/20 match, meaning the grant would provide $80,000 in funding which will be paired with $20,000 from private sources, totaling $100,000 that will be used for the feasibility study. The feasibility study is a necessary first step toward establishing a port authority in Muscatine because it has the potential to provide justification to move forward with applying for larger grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration. Find out the results of the feasibility study on January 24, 7 pm, in the Duncan Room.
COMMUNITY READ - February 28, 2017, 7PM @ Strahan Hall
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander Discussion Facilitator – Dean Adrien Wing, U of I
The League of Women Voters of Muscatine County and the Alexander G. Clark Foundation will co-sponsor an evening of discussion of the book The New Jim Crow. The Musser Public Library supports this initiative by providing a book kit of 10 copies of The New Jim Crow for check out to all interested readers.
The New Jim Crow is a must read for anyone interested in justice reform. Whether you read all of the book, the first chapters, or none of the book, you are encouraged to attend.
JOHN COUNTY LWV SUNDAY SPEAKER SERIES
Dave Swenson discusses “Iowa’s Economy &Economic Consequences / Tradeoffs of TIF” Sunday, Jan. 29, from 2—3 p.m. at the Iowa City Public Library. An economist and Iowa State University associate scientist in the Department of Economics College of Agriculture & Life Science, Dave Swenson also lectures in the graduate program in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Iowa. He opens the LWVJC Sunday Speaker Series in January. Mr. Swenson provides community economic analysis, technical assistance, outreach and economics education services to the public. He will provide a review of Iowa’s economy and the economic consequences and tradeoffs of TIF for Iowa communities. His areas of research and specialization include community and regional economic studies and evaluations, economic development research and technical assistance, input-output(economic impact) studies, 4iscal impact research, public 4inance and tax policy, community change and worker mobility issues, and public program and project evaluation. Mr. Swenson also provides services to public and private organizations and local and state governments via research, on-site training and education programming, and seminars and public speaking appearances. Linda Schreiber 2017
Legislative Forums in Muscatine Legislative forums are held the first Saturday of the month during legislative session at MCC’s Student Center at 9:00 am - 12:00. These forums are open to the public for information and to ask questions of legislators. The Chamber of Commerce of Greater Muscatine and MCC sponsor the forums on:
February 4
March 4
April 1
May 6
Note : If you are interested in issues of race, mass incarceration and colorblindness in the legal system, a movie that will add to your understanding is 13th.
From the President
A standing ovation to Sandy Stanley for her efforts to bring David Osterberg to Muscatine! Sandy worked to publicize the event and was successful. There were about 50 people attending that included 7 elected officials. Thank you, Sandy!
Be ready for our February 28th meeting! Go to the public library and ask for the book, The New Jim Crow. There is a book kit with 10 books available for check out. Read some or all to inform yourself on the issues surrounding mass incarceration.
I hope to see everyone at the January 24th meeting with David Gobin. He will tell us about the feasibility study of the City of Muscatine to become a port authority.
Until then - enjoy the holidays!
Sue
Water Quality: Is Voluntary Action Working?
Our League hosted a presentation on water quality. David Osterberg, of the Iowa Policy Project and professor in the Occupational and Environmental Health Department at the University of Iowa, spoke to area residents. Osterberg focused on the 2013 Nutrient Reduction Strategy and asked if it is working. You can read David Osterberg’s writing at http://iowapolicyproject.org/2016docs/161117-water-xs.pdf
“Some research showed that in the Gulf of Mexico the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen has not decreased. Using data from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll he showed that many farmers are not investing in conservation. The results are algae blooms in the Gulf of Mexico and the closing of Iowa Lakes during the summer season. Beach advisories increased in recent years due to microcystin, a toxin produced by blue-green algae. “This is Iowa now,” said Osterberg.1”
Cities and industries are treated differently. The discharge from cities and industries are referred to as point areas. Mandates to manage and reduce pollutants exist for them.
Farms and ag land are call non-point areas. The source of what drains into streams and rivers is hard to determine, and up until now, voluntary action has been encouraged through cost sharing measures.
“Some of the most startling date relates to farmers willingness to curb pollution of the water. Osterberg’s paper states, “In Iowa State University’s Farm and Rural Life Poll, 51 percent of farmers reported spending nothing on conservation in the 10 years prior to the 2011 survey. Fortunately, a 2014 Farm and Rural Life Poll shows more dollars being spent on conservation measures and suggests the new emphasis on water quality may be motivating landowners to do more to protect land and reduce water pollution. However, both polls demonstrate that asking producers to voluntarily spend funds to protect water is not enough. Even in the 2014 survey, more than 40 percent of producers spent less than $5,000 over the previous 10 years, or less than $500 per year. Since the average size of an Iowa farm is about 350 acres, this suggests that voluntary action has brought spending of little more than a dollar an acre.2”
Based on research, Iowa is doing little to reach the goals of the 2013 Nutrient Reduction Strategy.
All Iowans want to improve water quality for drinking, recreation and agriculture. It is estimated that it will take billions of dollars to improve our water quality. Iowans are watching and waiting to see what the next steps will be.
1. Emily Wenger, Muscatine Journal, November 30, 2016
2. Donnelle Eller & Christopher Doering Ag census finds Iowa farms are bigger but fewer in numberDes Moines Register. February 21, 2014. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/agriculture/2014/02/21/ag-census-finds-iowa-farms-are-bigger-but-fewer-innumber/5669313/
In the New Year
Port Authority – January 24, 2017 http://www.officeholidays.com/
The Duncan Room, 315 Iowa Ave., 7:00 pm
David Gobin, Muscatine’s Community Development Director, will provide information on the plans for a port authority in Muscatine.
The city of was awarded a $100,000 Linking Iowa’s Freight Transportation System (LIFTS) Grant in February. The LIFTS Grant is an 80/20 match grant, meaning the grant provides $80,000 in funding which will be paired with $20,000 from private sources (GPC), totaling $100,000 that will be used for the feasibility study.
By the January 24th League meeting the feasibility study should be very close to completion. A feasibility study is a necessary first step toward establishing a port authority in Muscatine because it has the potential to provide justification to move forward with applying for larger grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
This project will enhance the economic health of the entire surrounding region by ensuring efficient, diverse, and cost-effective freight transportation options for area businesses with access to world markets. Completion of this project could benefit all of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois since there are no intermodal container facilities north of St. Louis along the Mississippi River.1
The Muscatine City Council approved an agreement with HDR, Inc. to do study on the feasibility of an Intermodal Container Port.2
1. Emily Lofgren, “CITY OF MUSCATINE ON THE PATH TO BEING AWARDED LIFTS GRANT,” January 13, 2016.
2. Emily Wegner, “Muscatine City Council overrides Mayoral Veto,” Sept. 1, 1916, Muscatine Journal
Community Read, February 28, 2107
Pick up the book at Musser Public Library, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or put it on your wish list to read for the February 28 meeting. League will co-sponsor the event with the Alexander Clark Foundation (ACF). We are pleased to have Adrien Wing, U of I College of Law, as our moderator for the event.
The New Jim Crow is a must read for anyone interested in justice reform. Whether you all the book, the first chapters or none of the book, if you are interested in this topic, you are encouraged to attend.
Adrien Wing
Adrien Wing is the Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law Programs and the Bessie Dutton Murray Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, where she has taught since 1987
Whew! The months of September and October were willed to overflowing with forums. Our League worked on three; one for Muscatine County Auditor, Sheriff, and Board of Supervisors, another for Iowa House and Senate Districts in our county, and the US 2nd Congressional District. Voter service events are the backbone of our League. Our members engage and act to provide voter registration opportunities in the community and serve at our forums. The benefits to the public abound. With local cable viewing and replay, radio and print media reporting, our forums reach out to voters to inform and educate. Thanks to all who played a role in making these events happen.
New Members! Sarah Lande joined League this fall and we are thrilled to welcome her! Paul Mayes joined to make his membership with Ann a household membership. Welcome!
WASHINGTON, Nov. 1, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $331 million in 85 projects that will improve water and wastewater infrastructure in rural areas in 39 states and American Samoa. Community infrastructure investments are a key piece of USDA's mission to support America's rural communities, and these investments build on the $13.9 billion USDA has invested over the course of the Obama Administration to support 5,825 water and waste infrastructure projects that currently benefit 19.5 million rural residents.
Felon Voting Rights
The Muscatine Journal featured a guest editorial from Bonnie Pitz, former president LWVIA about restoring felon voting rights. You can find her letter at the end of this Voter. The LWVIA has joined a coalition to call for a Constitutional Amendment to restore voting rights to felons. A coalition of 17 groups, including state chapters of the League of Women Voters, American Civil Liberties Union and NAACP, made the recommendations October 25 in a news conference. Iowa is one of just three states, along with Kentucky and Florida, that require ex-felons to apply to the state to have their voting rights restored upon release from prison. Coalition members said that places an undue burden on an individual’s right to vote.
In the New Year
Community Read, February 28, 2017
Pick up the book, The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander or put it on your wish list to read for the February 28 meeting. League will co-sponsor the event with the Alexander Clark Foundation (ACF). We are pleased to have Adrien Wing, U of I College of Law, as our moderator for the event
Adrien Wing is the Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law Programs and the Bessie Dutton Murray Professor at the University of Iowa College of Law, where she has taught since 1987.
I KNOW MY VOTEWILL COUNT CAMPAIGN
For nearly a century, the League’s members have worked tirelessly to ensure that elections in this country are free, fair, and credible. Thanks to our work, we know voters who cast their ballots do so with the confidence that their votes will count. The League is obligated to set the record straight so that voters across the country have the real facts. Our response is a new social media campaign: “I know my vote will count.” Over the remaining weeks of this election, we urge you to join us in sharing the message, “I’m voting, and I know my vote will count.”
League Joins Amicus in McCrory v. Harris The League joined an amicus in the case of McCrory v. Harris. The case will be argued at the U.S. Supreme Court on December 5, 2016. The brief argues that the North Carolina legislature’s redistricting map was intentionally gerrymandered on the basis of race and therefore cannot be legalized by using the explanation that it was a political gerrymander.
League Urges State Election Officials to Prevent Voting Discrimination and Disruption The League joined 88 voting and civil rights groups in urging state election officials to create plans to prevent voting discrimination in advance of the first presidential election in fifty years without a fully operable Voting Rights Act (VRA). Letters were sent to state elections officials in every state. LWVUS was joined by the state Leagues in Florida, Texas, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia on the letters in their states. DC VOTING RIGHTS
Fixing the Hole in Our Democracy: D.C. Statehood and Voting Rights
Additional materials are now posted on the LWV Website as part of the project to educate League members and the public on the need for full voting rights for D.C. citizens. The LWVDC will be spearheading this effort, called “Fixing the Hole in Our Democracy: Statehood and D.C. Voting Rights”. Learn “How the District of Columbia is Governed in 2016” and “Congressional Intervention the local affairs of the District of Columbia”. And don’t forget to take our quiz to test your knowledge about D.C.! For further information, contact Betsy Lawson at blawson@lwv.org.
October 25, 2016, Muscatine Journal Guest Editorial
Permanent disenfranchisement hurts families and communities
League of Women Voters of Iowa are in the process of registering voters for the upcoming elections.
We do so all year long, but make a special effort for Voter Registration Day on Sept. 27 to make the point about how important it is to be involved in the process of electing our officials who make decisions about our daily life.
There are 56,000 Iowans who are not eligible to vote, including one in five African Americans. They are ineligible to vote because of a felony in their past. As League members meet with the public, we often run into individuals who wish to vote but cannot because of their felony conviction. These individuals are permanently blocked from voting, even though they have served their time and completed probation.
Across the country, most states automatically restore voting rights upon completion of a sentence. Only Florida, Kentucky and Iowa permanently deny voting rights to everyone with a felony.
The league was disappointed by this year’s 4-3 Iowa Supreme Court decision in Griffin v. Pate. The Iowa ACLU took up the case of Kelli Jo Griffin, a Montrose mother of four who was convicted of a nonviolent offense in 2008. Griffin was told by her attorney that her voting rights would be restored after she completed probation. This was true in 2008, but Gov. Terry Branstad rescinded this rule on his first day in office in 2011. The change made Griffin — and all other Iowa citizens with a felony conviction — ineligible to vote unless their rights are restored by the governor.
There is a way to get voting rights back, but the process is challenging. The governor reviews applications on a case-by-case basis. Applying costs time and money. The state can take up to six months to review an application. Between 2011 and 2014, an estimated 14,500 people completed a felony sentence, but only 64 had voting rights restored.
It is important to remember that, of the 56,000 disenfranchised individuals in our state, many are raising families, working, paying taxes and trying hard to reintegrate into society. We must be mindful of the consequences our law has for families. Does it not make sense that those who have paid their debt to society, should be reintegrated in the most positive way so they can fully participate in the election process and demonstrate that involvement to their children?
Voting is an activity we do as a family and community.
Lifetime disenfranchisement means that in Iowa’s African-American communities nearly a quarter of adults and many parents are deprived a say in policies affecting schools, taxes, policing and more. It means we are creating a permanent underclass that our officials are free to disregard.
We would also be wise to think of “family focused citizenship.” Children do not learn citizenship only in a school setting, but by the actions and beliefs of their families. Why not let parents act as role models and demonstrate the importance of voting and citizenship? We should give them the chance to discuss political views, their part in the political process and ultimately vote. It makes sense to encourage maximum participation in our political process.
When one thinks about the importance of family citizenship, reintegration of those with a past felony, necessity of connected community belonging, and taxation without representation, it only makes sense to have the Legislature change the law so citizens with a felony conviction can have voting rights restored after serving time and probation.
BONNIE PITZ, of Belle Plaine, is past president of the League of Women Voters of Iowa. Contact: dbpitz@ iowatelecom.net or lwvia.org
Of Muscatine County
Making Democracy Work
Election Day is fast approaching! November 8 is just a month away. The League of Women Voters of Muscatine County's actions in the community offer voter registration and candidate forums.
Muscatine County candidates spoke on September 20. The public heard from Auditor Leslie Soule, candidates running for Sheriff C. J. Ryan and Michael Channon, and those running for the Muscatine County Board of Supervisors Scott Sauer and Nathan Reichert, and Kas Kelly and Nathan Mather.
On October 4 voters will hear from candidates to the Iowa House and Senate. The candidates planning to attend are Bobby Kaufmann, Gary Carlson, Phil Weise, Ryan Drew, Chris Brase, Mark Lofgren, and Tom Courtney.
Our voter service includes registering voters. This year League partnered with League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to register voters at Wal Mart, Hy Vee Mainstreet, Fareway, and the International Festival. Our efforts also included back to school registration at MCC. I want to thank Susan Cory, Jean Clark, Paula Stover, Mel Steckel, Ann Mayes, and Debbie Paulson for their work.
LWV Muscatine County is collaborating with Leagues in Johnson County and Ottumwa, and the Johnson County Task Force on Aging to sponsor a forum for the US 2nd Congressional District with Dave Loebsack and Dr. Christopher Peters. The forum will be held on October 10, 2-3:30, at the Coralville Public Library.
David Osterberg will speak about Iowa's at 7 p.m. on November 29, 2016 Muscatine County Community College’s McAvoy Center 1400 block of Park Avenue.
Our featured speaker, David Osterberg, has a long career in the field of environmental health and environmental quality. He is a professor in the Department of Occupational and Environmental Health at the University of Iowa.
His talk, “Can Voluntary Action Bring Adequate Water Quality,” will address the 2013 Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy which is a plan conceived to improve Iowa’s streams and lakes and address the large dead zone in the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy imposes mandatory action in urban areas (improved sewage treatment plants) but depends on the agricultural sector to voluntarily change practices. What evidence exists that it can work?
In addition to his work at the University of Iowa, Osterberg is the founder and past executive director of the Iowa Policy Project, a non-profit policy research organization. Osterberg remains active at the non-profit in water quality and energy policy research and has published widely on Iowa environmental issues. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington State University, and master’s in water resources management, economics and agricultural economics, all from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. From 1983 to 1994, Osterberg served in the Iowa House of Representatives, serving as chairman of the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection.
More Water – Upper Mississippi River Region Inter-League Organization (UMRR ILO)
Watershed Game Training!
Local Leagues in our ILO are invited to sponsor watershed education events with community groups such as city councils, and other civic groups using the Watershed Game. UMRR ILO member Leagues are urged to send a representative to training so they can run the Watershed Games on their own. Thanks to LWV Jo Daviess, training will be offered in lovely Galena, Illinois, on October 24, which is the first anniversary of the ILO’s official launch. What a fitting way to celebrate! The training is being held at the DeSoto House Hotel in historic Galena, IL. The cost of the training is only $25, to cover food costs.
Laugh a Little
Riverside Theatre offers LWV members a discount for production of ‘The Taming.’ Call Sue Johannsen by October 20 if you are interested.
Riverside Theatre, 213 N. Gilbert St. in Iowa City, is offering League of Women Voters members a special group rate of $25 per ticket to the production of “The Taming” which runs from Friday, Oct. 28 through Sunday, Nov. 13. “What happens when a conservative senatorial aide, a liberal political activist and a newly-crowned Miss Georgia walk into a bar? The results are hilarious, but this play is no joke. Lauren Gunderson’s THE TAMING takes on America’s overheated political rhetoric, some surprising truths about our founding fathers, and the passions of three slightly insane women who just might be revolutionary geniuses.” To go to Riverside Theatre website use https://goo.gl/tVHS2r
Community Read
League's choice for Community Read will be The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander. Pick up this timely and extraordinary book and get started now. Discussion will be February 28, 2017.
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“Muscatine League of Women Voters”
NOTICE : Event Changes
The US Congressional Forum has changed time and place to being held on October 10th, from 2-2:30 at the Coalville Public Library.
From the President
The summer kicked off with State Council in Marshalltown. Susan Cory went with me and we learned about VOTE411.org and a legislative review by our lobbyist.
Water quality will continue to be a priority of the League. Our own Linda Meloy was elected to be the treasurer of the State Board. A search is on for a secretary. If might be interested in serving on the LWVIA board, please contact me.
Mary Rae Brag President
Bonnie Pitz Former President
The focus is on registering voters and making democracy work. We were all challenged to hold at least one voter service event per month. As you read into this newsletter you will find local opportunities to meet this goal.
Water quality will continue to be a League issue. Our League will hold a meeting at Lock and Dam 16 to learn about what’s local on August 30.
Newly elected president, Mary Rae Bragg encouraged all to building on our successes. The meeting ended with praise for Bonnie Pitz.
Chris Carson, President LWVUS
At National Convention a new president was elected, Chris Carson. Former Iowa president Dr. Deborah Turner was elected to the National Board. Congratulations! Chris is from CA and joined the League in 2005. She led redistricting reform efforts and spearheaded a ballot measure. Once passed, she worked on effective implementation of this reform. She served on the the California Advisory Committee for the update of the state’s HAVA (Help Americans Vote Act) compliance plan.
We were disappointed that the Supreme Court of Iowa did not rule in the favor of restoring voting rights to those who have served their prison sentences.
Could you volunteer to work?
Voter Registration needs Volunteers August 6 and September 17, 10:30-1:30
• Fareway
HyVee Mainstreet
Wal Mart
Someone will be calling to schedule.
August 30 5:30 Tour the Lock and Dam
Cindy Klebe will lead a tour. We’ll learn about the Mississippi River at Lock and Dam 16
FORUMS:
SEPTEMBER 20
Muscatine County Supervisors
District 3: Nathan Reichert (D) and Scott Sauer (R) District 4: Kas Kelly (D) and Nathan Mather (R) Sheriff: C. J. Ryan (R) and Michael Channon (D) Auditor: Leslie Soule (R)
OCTOBER 4 Iowa House
District 44 : Tom Courtney (D) and Tom Greene (R)
District 73: Bobby Kaufmann(R)
District 91: Gary Carlson (R) and Phil Wiese (D)
Iowa Senate
District 46: Chris Brase (D) and Mark Lofgren (R)
October 8 US House of Representatives
LWV Muscatine will cosponsor with Johnson County and other District 2 leagues. 9:30-11:30 at the Iowa City Public Library.
Iowa District 2: Dave Loebsack (D) and Christopher Peters (R)
As we look to the fall forums we will build on our successes. You are part of that success!
VOTE411.org is League’s way of connecting to voters online. Voters can find polling information as well as candidate information at this site.
Annual meeting was a big success! We adopted a budget and discussed plans for 2016-17. There are so many opportunities! Choices that will be priorities when we plan our calendar include mental health/healthcare, good city government, water quality, and criminal justice reform. Please join us on May 24, 7:00 p.m. for calendar planning and fun at Wine Nutz.
June 11 State Council in Marshalltown
LWVIA Council will be held on June 11 in Marshalltown. I am hoping to attend and want you to come with me. Call if you will share the day.
LWVIA Leader Update
We were sorry to learn of the resignation of Bonnie Pitz as Co-President of LWVIA. We want to extend our sincere thanks to Bonnie for her leadership and direction through the years.
155 Countries to Sign Paris Agreement on Earth Day
By: Jessica Jones 04/21/2016 Friday, April 22 marks the 41st anniversary of the first Earth Day. On this day, world leaders will gather at the United Nations (UN) to sign the agreement put together last fall during the UN Climate Conference in Paris. The historic agreement signaled the commitment to fight climate change by a global coalition. Through the agreements, the signing countries will work to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon pollution, while setting a goal to keep the temperature of the earth from rising “well below” 2 degrees Celsius. Read more http://lwv.org/blog/155-countries-sign-paris-agreement-earth-day
Water Resources Development Act.
This week, the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016. WRDA would authorize some $9 billion for the nation's drinking water, clean water, flood prevention, and navigation programs. Of regional interest, WRDA would provide for a flood risk management study on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois Rivers, authorize $300 million to study flood risk management and environmental restoration for the Upper Des Plaines River, and authorize $300 million annually through 2021 for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Bill summaries and full text are available online.
NC Voting Rights and Voter ID
The news was not good this week in North Carolina where a federal trial judge upheld that state’s comprehensive effort to suppress the vote. The omnibus election law which was the subject of a lawsuit brought by the League of Women Voters of North Carolina and its allies imposes strict voter photo ID requirements, eliminates same day registration during early voting and cuts back on early voting periods. Opponents of the measure, including the League, will fight on through the appeals process. In the meantime, as in so many other jurisdictions, after opposing the bill in the statehouse and challenging it in the courthouse, the League will be on the ground in North Carolina helping voters navigate the new law to mitigate as much harm as possible.
In an effort to end the partisan deadlock on the current Federal Election Commission (FEC) that permits abuses of the campaign finance laws at the federal level, the League is supporting the Federal Election Administration Act (FEA) of 2016. The Act would create a new election administration comprised of five members, not four, and provide that one commissioner be appointed on a nonpartisan basis. Please take some time and join us in asking Congress to take action on the Federal Elections Commission!
Show Me the Money!
The news that Harriet Tubman will be pictured on the twenty dollar bill in the future makes us cheer. Less cheerful, however, is the news that the ten dollar bill will only feature a select group of suffrage leaders on the back of the bill. Among significant leaders in the fight for votes for women who are not in the group is our own Carrie Chapman Catt. It is always astonishing how little is known or understood about a movement that lasted over 70 years and enfranchised 23 million citizens with the stroke of one pen.
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“Muscatine League of Women Voters”
April Voter 2016
Please plan to attend our Annual Meeting on April 26 at the Peking Restaurant. The business meeting starts at 5:30 and dinner is at 6:00. An Annual Meeting mailing will be coming to you soon.
Presidential caucuses and primaries continue to draw our attention as the parties head to the national conventions in June. The Republican National Convention will be held in Cleveland and the Democrats will meet in Philadelphia. Let the fun continue!
Also in June, we will look to local primaries. While our League will not hold primary forums, you can see our fall calendar will be busy with candidate forums!
Iowa House
District 73: Bobby Kaufmann(R)
District 91: Gary Carlson(R)
Phil Wiese(D) and Jessica Brackett(D)
Iowa Senate
District 46: Chris Brase(D)
Mark Lofgren (R)
Muscatine County Supervisor
District 3: Nathan Reichert(D)
Scott Sauer(R)
District 4: Nathan Mather (R)
Kas Kelly(D)
Thanks to Pam Collins for making arrangements for Greg Jenkins of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce to speak on TIF's and economic development in Muscatine. Some of the things I learned at the meeting were that all of Muscatine falls under an Urban Renewal Plan and says the city is a blighted area. TIF's are incentives offered to businesses that include a frozen base tax plus a percentage – usually around 50% - of the assessed value of the improvements. Most often the business promises jobs and economic development as the trade-off for the TIF. TIF's are offered as a recruitment and retention incentives.
LWVIA State Council
June 11, 9:30-2:30 in Marshalltown, IA
There will be an election of officers: a co-President, VP, Treasurer, and two Directors.
Would you be willing to serve on the State Board? There are four board of directors meetings and three general meetings per year. Contact Polly Horton, pollyshorton@gmail.com
LWVUS National Convention
June 16-19, 2016, Washington, DC
Did you know that Iowa's co-President Deborah Turner has been nominated to be a director on the National Board? We wish Deb the best and hope Iowa can be part of the national leadership.
VOTE411.org is an electronic voting guide, a powerful tool to help potential voters register and know the candidates. The website includes information about voting. Don't know where you vote? Type in your address and learn. Want to know about candidates? VOTE411.org will offer information so voters can compare. VOTE411.org empowers eligible votes to be active in the political system and make democracy work!
May 24 is Calendar Planning
7:00 pm at Wine Nutz
What's important gets measured. So, what's important to you? Bring your ideas for next year's study, voter service and action. We'll grab a cold beverage and plow into planning another year of League.
Muscatine, Iowa
State Study: Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Economic Development in Muscatine
Greg Jenkins, director of the Greater Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, will be our guest speaker on March 29 at 7:00 in the Duncan Room, 315 Iowa Ave.
Plan to attend and learn about:
Local municipalities and counties around the United States have used tax Incremental Financing for decades. Originally, the use was limited to pay for renewal of run-down, or “blighted” areas. Its use has been expanded to also cover economic development projects. Under the rules of tax incremental financing, a city, town or county creates a special tax district that includes the property or area to be developed or renovated, borrows money through bonding to do the project and then uses any increases in tax revenue generated by the increased value of the properties to pay off the bonds. The increases in tax revenue diverted to pay off the bonds include not only that government’s, but also the incremental revenue due to any other government units that normally would benefit from the increased taxable valuations.
FEBRUARY LEAGUE SHARING ON TRANSPORT by Linda Meloy
We had an opportunity February 23rd to learn about transport! Not what you may be thinking of as interstate transport of cars, wind turbines, and fuel, but of people in need.
The topic was non-medical transport, mental health transfers, and emergency medical service transport – the what and why of these services to citizens in Muscatine County.
Ken and Dana Larue, who have operated a non-medical transport service in Muscatine for the last four years, shared with the group how they saw the need for taking individuals to medical appointments and to/from hospitals/nursing homes when the individuals were not in a health crisis or in need of medical equipment for such transport. Dana is a nurse at our local hospital and Ken, due to the expansion of their business, has retired from his job at HON to run the business. They have ten employees (many retired from other jobs and driving on a part-time basis) and eleven vans, six with lifts. It is a for-pay service: private pay, as well as Medicaid reimbursement (the latter with a State of IA scheduled price per mile basis). They operate according to State of IA requirements and guidelines, as do other such services in the state.
Their service is not a “secure car” service for inmates or mental health commitments such as is available in our neighboring state of IL. Secure car transport services require special behavioral training of the drivers and specially equipped cars to separate the passenger from the driver. Transport for such needs in Muscatine County is done by the County Sheriff’s Office, where retired officers drive individuals where they need to go and the costs are covered by Muscatine County Community Services. The IA Legislature is currently considering providing licensure for such private services in our state.
The presence of non-medical transport service has lightened the load on Muscatine’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff, thus allowing for more efficient use of their medical skills in true emergencies, which ends up being more cost-effective in the operation of the Muscatine Fire Department, where the EMS is housed. Jerry Ewers, Fire Chief and former President of the IAEMS Association, has long supported non-medical transport, and he was in attendance at the informative conversation to also share the current Talking Points (needs) the IEMSA is presenting to the current IA Legislature: more funding for education, training, and resources for volunteer EMS providers in the state; providing sustainable funding for EMS, which could entail designating EMS as an essential service in the state, which it currently is not, though fire and police protection are; addressing the problems in the behavioral health system of IA, I.e. services; and funding mobile integrated health programs.
Mobile integrated health programs could be a separate program for the League and the community in the future. Go to https://www.naemt.org/docs/default-source/MIHCP/naemt-mih-cp-report.pdf?sfvrsn=2 to learn more about it!
Iowa H2O- League Priority
“We will not give up and continue to fight for clean water. . . League partnership is priceless..”I
Joe McGovern, President, Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation
Many Iowa cities are facing high nitrate levels in their drinking water. Des Moines Water Works is currently suing three northwest Iowa counties claiming drainage districts there act as conduits for nitrates to move from farm fields into the Raccoon River, one of two sources of drinking water for 500,000 residents in the Des Moines metro area. The utility is seeking federal oversight of drainage districts, and indirectly farmers, under the Clean Water Act. On the other side, Iowa’s nutrient reduction strategy continues to grow, in large part thanks to the increased appropriation to fund additional projects in 2015. While additional progress is being made, the program remains voluntary and affects a relatively small part of Iowa’s landscape. The Governor’s 2014 veto of additional REAP (Resource Enhancement And Protection) program funds took away additional resources that would have improved water quality in the state. To significantly impact water quality, Iowa must put significant resources into clean water, and consider making the program mandatory or providing additional incentives that will meet the goal of 100% voluntary compliance by 2020.
League Lobby Day 2016 will be held at the Capitol on March 10. Because this is a deadline week, it's important to do your advocacy work now, rather than wait for lobby day. Remember that every weekend, the League will post a new "Action Item" to help with local advocacy efforts. This week's item will be posted soon - so check
back at www.lwvia.org!
Privatization of Mental Health Services
League of Women Voters of Iowa's concerns about privatization of Medicaid were heard at Moral Monday in the Iowa Capitol. 'Moral Mondays IOWA' is a collaborative project designed to highlight the progress at work in the Iowa legislature, with speakers on different topics each Monday at noon. On February 15, 2016, State Senator Janet Petersen and Dr. Deborah Ann Turner spoke on "Privatizing Medicaid: The Real Story of It's Effect on Iowa's Most Vulnerable."
To read the remarks made by Dr. Turner of behalf of LWVIA, Click here.
LEAGUE BILL TRACKER
We will continue to track all bills that address one of the many priority areas identified this year by League members. You can access this list 24/7 at here. The list is updated daily, often multiple times a day. Just click here to go to the Bill Tracker.
Legislative Priorities
You can find League's legislative priorities at http://www.lwvia.org/#!blank/c1z0s
LWVUS SUES for VOTING RIGHTS
The League of Women Voters of the United States, alongside its Alabama, Georgia and Kansas affiliates, filed a federal lawsuit on Feb. 12 against Brian Newby, the executive director of the Election Assistance Commission, to prevent these states from requiring documentary proof-of-citizenship when registering voters using the federal mail voter registration form.
LWVUS President Elisabeth McNamara said, “His decision allowing these changes to the state-specific instruction on the federal form goes against the U.S. Court of Appeals ruling in Kobach v. EAC.”
Money in Politics
On January 26, 2016, the League of Women Voters of Muscatine County participated in the national consensus on Money in Politics. Thanks to those who attended the meeting and shared their ideas and opinions. Our consensus results were sent to national and we will wait to see the outcome when the national board votes on an updated position.
I want to thank Jean Clark and Professor Todd Pettys, University of Iowa Law School, for their part in the December 1 meeting at MCC. We talked
campaign finance history as we discussed the book, about Professor Todd Pettys Buying the Vote by Robert Mutch.
Legislative Forum
The legislative forums will be held at MCC student center, 9:00-10:30, on February 6, March 5, and April 2. Plan to attend and share your views with your elected legislators.
Here are questions important to the League of Women Voters:
1. Will you support legislation to finish this process and make sure all Iowans can register to vote online by 2017? Are there other policies you would propose to make voting more accessible?
2. Will you support making the Nutrient Reduction Strategy mandatory? Why or why not? How would you build upon Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction www.iconsdb.com Strategy if not by making it mandatory? What do you think is the next step in cleaning up Iowa’s waterways? Will you pledge to support at least $20 million for REAP?
3. Will you support efforts to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses, including the funding of alternatives?
4. Will you support efforts to eliminate mandatory minimum sentences for non-violent drug offenses, including the funding of alternatives?
5. What do you see as the biggest challenge in making health care accessible to all? Would you oppose efforts to limit access to reproductive health services? What more can be done to address barriers like social determinants of health?
LWV Muscatine County http://lwvmcss.squarespace.com/
6. Will you push for funding for regional mental health and disability services system, which pays for things like mobile crisis and crisis intervention services? What will you do to make funding more predictable and reliable? Without providers, there is no system, regardless of budget. What will you do to immediately increase the capacity of Iowa ‘s mental health workforce?
www.iconsdb.com
7. Will you oppose legislation to liberalize Iowa’s gun laws? Are there safety initiatives you would support to make sure guns stay off the streets and out of the hands of criminals and children?
8. Will you help find funding for a census of fire and EMS coverage in the state? What will you do legislatively to make sure EMS is an essential service, and funding is sufficient to protect Iowans throughout the state
LWV Muscatine County http://lwvmcss.squarespace.com/
Emergency Medical Services
Our next meeting is February 23 at 7:00 in the Duncan Room, 315 Iowa Ave. Linda Meloy and those “in the know” will provide us with up to the minute information about Emergency Medical Services in our area and across Iowa. You won’t want to miss it.
www.123rf.com
Caucus Information
Sue Johannsen and Ann Mayes went to MCC on January 25 to offer caucus basics to students. There were good questions asked by those in attendance. Thanks, Ann Mayes, for your support!
Events
February 6 Legislative Forum MCC Student Center 9:00-10:30
February 14th League’s 90th birthday
February 23 Monthly Meeting: EMS meeting, 315 Iowa, Duncan Room 7:00
March 5 Legislative Forum MCC Student Center 9:00-10:30
March 10 Legislative Day at the Iowa Capitol
March 29 Monthly Meeting: Workforce and Economic Development
League of Women Voters—Upper Mississippi River Region Inter League Organization: A Summary from Inter League Coordinator Bonnie Cox of LWV Jo Daviess County, Illinois
We have identified “nutrient pollution” as our action focus for the next two years. We hope that we will be able to help our members and our fellow citizens understand the relationship between land use and the excess nitrogen and phosphorus contributing to the degradation of our water bodies. Helping our citizens understand the processes that improve water retention on our farms and in our communities thereby reducing rapid storm water flows and the phosphorus and nitrogen that flow with them is part of that.
On a local level in Jo Daviess County Illinois we are 18 months into a two-year process of developing a water resource management plan. It’s been interesting to see how it has developed in ways we couldn’t have envisioned when we began. For example, as a result of engaging UW-Platteville environmental engineering students in doing the input of our survey data (the survey gathered data on our citizens’ opinions and knowledge on water issues in our county) to meet quality assurance standards of IL EPA, we connected senior design students with our local county government to begin discussing the design of a series of retention basins versus a cement culvert along a county road. Other students have worked with our City of Galena staff to design a couple of green infrastructure projects.
We have also been able to coordinate an abandoned well sealing project among our public health department, our county SWCD, a private donor, and the League so that we are both educating on the importance of sealing those wells and the relationship between unsealed wells and the possible contamination of our ground water and getting those wells sealed at an accelerated pace. In Jo Daviess County, many of those wells are out in fields with thin soils over fractured carbonate bedrock in which artificial fertilizers and manure are regularly applied.
The recent report card on the Mississippi River stresses 3 important functions if we are to raise the grade of the Mississippi River:
1. Spread the word about the condition of the river and its challenges
2. Grow collaboration among us to face those challenges and 9
3. Focus on action to get the job done.
LWV Muscatine County http://lwvmcss.squarespace.com/
Money in Politics
Money in Politics takes our attention and holds it. Todd Pettys helped to understand some of the history of campaign finance as he led discussion on Buying the Vote. About 25 people attended the meeting on Dec. 1. In short, Mr. Pettys led us to understand that the author, Robert Mutch, takes a negative position toward Citizen's United. Mr. Pettys encouraged us to define corruption and quid pro quo. Since there is no direct link between campaign contributions and the votes of those elected to Congress, there is no corruption. If limits are placed on spending, then it appears that First Amendment rights are compromised. I want to thank Jean Clark for contacting Todd Pettys and for his willingness to lead us through the complexities of the history of campaign finance.
We will continue to talk about this topic at our January 26th meeting at the Duncan Room, 315 Iowa Ave, lower level. Your opinions on topics of money and politics will be sent to LWVUS in the form of consensus.
View this link to hear Jim Leach speak to LWV Des Moines about Money in Politics.
Go to:
https://www.facebook.com/League-of-Women-Voters-of-Iowa-332644123428745/
Voting Rights
A League Priority
The LWV advocated for online voter registration and it may become a reality in Iowa. Paul Pate, Secretary of State, will have online options available soon. The League favors actions to modernize laws and make registration easier for people.
The League opposes laws that require voters to show an ID.
We want to change the Iowa Code to allow felons who have completed their sentence to vote.
Emergency Medical Services
The League wants to make EMS an essential service that must be provided and funded. The League endorses stable funding steams for fire and EMS to meet minimum standards.
Water Quality
The League wants to protect Iowa's water resources by increasing funding for nutrient reduction programs and requiring participation.
Expanding the Bottle Bill to include to include other drink container is good for Iowa.
The League favors fully funding the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP) Program.
Consensus: Money in Politics
January 26, 2016, 7:00 p.m.
315 Iowa Ave., Duncan Room
Did you know?
LWVIA has co-presidents!
Bonnie Pitz
Deborah Turner, MD
Bonnie has been president and Deborah has been vice president since 2012. Learn more about our League Leaders here.
No Bakken
The Department of Natural Resource Hearing will be December 16th, in Des Moines, 5-7 p.m. at the Wallace State Office Building, Auditorium, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, Iowa. Dakota Access has to get a permit from the DNR to cross sovereign lands, publicly owned land and water, under the jurisdiction of the DNR, and so the DNR is holding a Public Hearing.
If you wish to make comments at this hearing, you will sign up at the beginning. You may also simply attend to show the strength of opposition.
A good number of League members spoke out at the Boone County IUB Hearing on November 12, 2016. Co-President, Bonnie Pitz, presented the League position on Natural Resources.
In addition to providing comment at the Dec. 16 meeting, comments can be made until 5:00 pm Tuesday, January 5, 2016 by email at
SLER@dnr.iowa.gov or by sending written comments to:
Iowa Department of Natural Resources
Sovereign Lands Construction Permit Program
502 East 9th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Information about the No Baaken Pipeline can be found at: www.nobakken.com
League Opposes FY 2016 Budget Amendments Undermining Clean Water Rule
LWVUS joined a letter with organizations from across the country urging Congress to reject amendments to the FY 2016 Budget that would undermine the EPA's Clean Water Rule.
Our league is doing good work!
Click on the image to access LWV voter guide.