June 1, 2009
Dear Friends,
Through I'M for Iowa, we have fought hard for a broad range of progressive policy reforms since 2006. We haven't asked a lot from most of our supporters. But as we "take off the gloves" and embark on a year-long campaign attacking the heart of the problem in state government, we need to ask for your help in a big way.
Three years ago, Iowa Democrats took control of the House, Senate and Governor's office for the first time in forty-two years. Iowans had great expectations about what this "trifecta," as Governor Culver called it, would accomplish.
And great expectations were in order. In 1965, Democrats also controlled the Statehouse. That year, a slew of landmark legislation was enacted:
*The community college system was created.
*The Iowa Civil Rights Act was passed.
*The voting age was lowered from 21 to 18.
*Committee meetings were opened to the general public.
*Judges went from being elected to appointed.
But this year at the Statehouse, despite democratic control, proposed progressive reforms were shot down right and left:
*We saw no action on reforming campaign finance law.
*Long-needed changes regulating hog confinements were ignored.
*The House failed to pass any of four reforms proposed by organized labor.
*There was no real progress on climate change, the environment, health care, criminal justice or education.
No doubt, leading legislative Democrats will point to small accomplishments, and some of these are certainly welcome. But face it: most of the big priorities so desperately needed are going nowhere at the Iowa Statehouse.
Why?
First of all, Governor Culver's leadership has been weak, and he has failed to work cooperatively or effectively with many of those who helped him get elected.
Second, corporate lobbyists and their money still command far too much power at the State Capitol, and Democratic leaders have grown quite cozy with this power.
Finally, a handful of House Democrats consistently torpedo the good legislation our Democratic friends offer.
Of these three factors, the latter is the key pressure point. The current Democratic majority in the House simply is not a functional majority. Because of I'M for Iowa's deep statewide network, we are in a unique position to help change that - but to do so, we need your support.
Our goal is to help recruit candidates to run in next year's primary election against House Democrats who consistently stand in the way of progress. We're excited to tell you that, already, we have met with some very promising prospective candidates.
Recruiting good candidates is no small task. Yet it will take only a handful of new progressive leaders in state government to tip the balance and give us the opportunity to enact the reforms Iowans are hungry for.
We need you to partner with us in this work. Help us recruit the candidates who will become tomorrow's progressive leaders. Please contribute $100, or more if you are able, but know that we will be grateful for whatever support you can offer in these challenging times. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Ed Fallon
Lynn Fallon
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