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Last week was a victory for people power, plain and simple.
Hundreds flocked to the capitol on the day subcommittees were held on the Governor’s AEA overhaul and a proposal to reclassify the rights of transgender Iowans as a disability. The people’s voices were heard – that day and in the days leading up through phone calls, emails and more.
Whereas the Senate voted Reynolds’ AEA overhaul out of subcommittee, the House did not, stating that they would not move the bill forward as is at this time. And the proposal to strip gender identity from Iowa’s Civil Rights law failed to move forward out of subcommittee.
But Governor Reynolds is not done with her crusade to consolidate power and the state of Iowa under her misguided vision. One day after this setback, she introduced a bill to force transgender Iowans to be otherized by listing their sex designated at birth on their birth certificates and government-issued IDs.
We believe in an Iowa where people from all backgrounds, identities, abilities and political affiliations have an opportunity to succeed, thrive, and feel welcomed in their communities. And, while we welcome discussions and tough conversations, we agree with One Iowa Director Courtney Reyes when she says the Governor should “start focusing on things that matter: funding our schools, lowering our cancer rates, and cleaning up our water.”
Reynolds may think that by dividing us she can conquer us. We’re not buying it. We all benefit from fully-funded public schools, a government that works for and is responsive to the public over corporate greed, and yeah – clean water.
Last week reaffirmed that people power works. And there's ample opportunities over the coming weeks to continue raising our voices. So let’s keep at it. Thank you.
Matthew Covington Strategic Operations Director |