What’s Going On?
Blue StateHouse Alert
LIVE STREAM: BLUE STATEHOUSE ALERT LIVE - COVID-19 VACCINE
Join us on Tuesday, February 16 at 7pm for our Blue Statehouse Alert LIVE. This week we will be discussing the vaccine rollout with State Representative and pharmacist John Forbes of Urbandale and House Democratic Whip Jennifer Konfrst.
Blue Statehouse Alert LIVE! Tuesday, February 16 at 7 pm
Register for the discussion on ZOOM at:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwodOGupj0uEtIduBn1L85idVmb7chzAo53
Watch live on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/429455711812889/
**Remember to join us each Tuesday at 7 pm, for our updates from Democratic lawmakers on what’s happening at the Statehouse.
GETTING THE COVID-19 VACCINE IN IOWA
We’ve heard from thousands of folks struggling to get the COVID vaccine distributed in communities all across Iowa.
First, the good news. A high-demand for the vaccine means Iowans want to protect themselves and their families as soon as possible. The Biden-Harris Administration has significantly ramped up the vaccine supply coming to Iowa and health experts are now saying that there should be more supply than demand by early May.
The bad news is that too many Iowans, especially our seniors, are still struggling to get the vaccine because Governor Reynolds was not prepared for the vaccine rollout. It was only last week that she finally hired a private company to help Iowans sign up for the vaccine. This should have been done months ago.
We are working as hard as we can to help Iowans get the vaccine and stay safe. Here is who is eligible for vaccinations right now (Phase 1B):
Persons age 65 and older
PK-12 school staff, early education and childcare workers
First responders (firefighters, police officers, child welfare social workers)
Here is how you can schedule an appointment:
Find a provider at: coronavirus.iowa.gov
Seniors can call their local Area Agency on Aging at 1-866-468-7887, Monday-Friday 8:00am-4:30pm to get an appointment
Iowa Pharmacies will also be scheduling appointments:
Walgreens (Black Hawk, Cerro Gordo, Des Moines, Dubuque, Johnson, Linn, Pottawattamie, Scott, and Woodbury Counties) https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/vaccination/covid-19?ban=covid_vaccine_landing_schedule
CVS (Black Hawk, Dallas, Linn, or Polk County) https://www.cvs.com/immunizations/covid-19-vaccine
THE DISASTROUS DOZEN - 12 OF THE MOST HATEFUL BILLS IN THE IOWA HOUSE
This session we’ve seen hateful legislation that is targeting women, the LGBTQIA community, people of color, and those of certain political affiliations. While Republicans are screaming free speech, they are silently taking away rights of many Iowans. Below are TWELVE of the worst and most hateful bills that have been introduced in the Iowa House, so far.
1. Constitutional Amendment that the state Constitution does not recognize, grant, or secure a right to an abortion (HJR 5)
2. Allows the legislature to overturn a Supreme Court decision including those that defend Iowa’s protected classes (HF109)
3. Legalizes conversion therapy (HF193)
4. Bans transgender restroom inclusion in schools (HF187)
5. Censors political and religious speech by an internet site (HF171)
6. Creates a “Living Infants Fairness and Equity Act”, which grants a fetus more fundamental rights than a woman (HF403)
7. Removes gender identity from the Iowa Civil Rights Act, which would strip civil rights protections for thousands of transgender Iowans (HF272)
8. Creates a new discriminatory act permitting Iowans with “sincerely held religious beliefs and moral convictions” to receive special legal protection if choose to deny services, employment, adoptions, etc (HF170)
9. Whitewashes US history by banning teachers from using the 1619 Project in Iowa schools, and reduces funding for any Iowa school district who teaches it. It also sets a precedent to prohibit works of journalism from being taught in publicly funded school (HF 222)
10. Eliminates tenure at Iowa universities because of liberal ideologies (HF 496)
11. Makes it illegal for medical professionals to treat transgender youth and could cost doctors their license and fines of $1,000 (HF 193)
12. Takes away diversity in Iowa schools and opportunities for all students to succeed (HF 228)
Undercutting Our Schools
The Iowa Senate passed a 2.2% funding increase for K-12 public schools. Because so many students were home due to Covid, they will not be counted in the per student funding and yet will be in class next year. School districts will be greatly underfunded and face a shortfall that will lead to significant property tax increases to make up the difference. Meanwhile the state has surplus money. Boone County is in Jesse Green’s district; you may want to ask him why he wants to raise your property taxes. Meanwhile contact your house representatives
Predicted property tax increase per senate district. Data is from the Legislative Services Agency.
Bernie is coming to the auction!!
Bernie is coming to the BCD auction!
We will be auctioning a Bernie doll similar to this (bench not included) at the I “heart” BCD Valentine’s day online auction from the 10th to the 14th of February. Here is your chance to have a piece of history and help out the BCD!!
To look at all the goodies and submit a bid go to:
Correction on Master Matrix
The previous post incorrectly stated that the Boone County Board of Supervisors had not passed the Master Matrix resolution but the did pass it in early January. Thanks to those who contacted them and thanks to the board for passing the resolution. Our apologies for the error.
Master Matrix
Iowa has a huge water quality problem. A major contributor is the incredible number of CAFO’s (confined animal feeding operations) that pour incredible amounts of waste into the environment. Animal wastes and animal smells help destroy rural Iowa and its waters. Each year counties may pass a resolution that allows the board of supervisors to have input on siting and construction of CAFO’s. Boone County is among a minority of counties that has yet to pass the resolution for 2021. Contact the supervisors and urge them to pass a resolution for this year. They meet on the 27th and the deadline is the 31st of this month. Time is of the essence.
The link below provides more information and a sample resolution:
http://iowacci.org/farming-environment/master-matrix-toolkit/
You may contact the board at: BOS@boonecounty.iowa.gov
or call 515-433-0500
I Heart BCD
Show your love for BCD this year by bidding on one of our theme baskets at the I Heart BCD online auction coming soon! Items will be available for bidding starting February 10th. We have options for in-person safe pick up on February 14th or will ship your items to you. If you opt for in person pick up, we'll also have soup in to-go containers, perfect for sharing with a loved one on Valentine's Day, without any time spent in the kitchen!
Dreams Realized
The Boone County Democrats have gathered a large supply of winter wear and disinfectants to distribute to the five largest public school districts in the county. Thanks to all those who gave of their time, their goods, and their money. Even folks from out of state helped. Our children deserve to be safe and warm!! What a way to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, whose birthday we celebrate tomorrow.
We Have A Dream
We have a dream. A dream that all students have snow boots and mittens for recess and a sanitized classroom to which to return. Help us make this dream a reality. If a monetary contribution is easier, you may donate online at ActBlue or mail a check to BCD (with MLK in the byline) PO Box 535, Boone 50036.
Items will be delivered on Jan 18th, MLK day. Ours is part of a national Day of Service to honor Dr. King’s legacy.
No later than the 17th drop of snow boots, mittens, and/or gloves for elementary students as well as hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes any any of these locations (you may simply leave them on the porch):
Email or message us on Facebook for drop off locations.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/mlkday
Lets make this a warm and safe winter for the school children in Boone County!!
Thanks to all!!
Thanks to all of you who helped with our collection for the local food pantries. You all stepped up to the plate when it counted. The BCD raised $2200 which was given to Impact and Toreador pantries in Boone and Greater Love Ministries in Madrid. Remember the need is ongoing.
Election is Over; Hunger is Still Here
Many people in Boone County are food insecure; the pandemic has only made the problem worse. The derecho in August further stretched the resources of many families. While a long term solution includes implementing policies that help working families do more than survive (and assist those such as the elderly, those unable to work, and children), the current situation demands that we do whatever we can to help one another. The Boone County Democrats will be raising funds to help area food pantries.
Who Taught You That?
As 2020 ends and I reflect back over the years I remember when I was 15 years old, in 1953 - in Mississippi. A work friend (she was the maid and I was a salesperson) and I went on break together and stopped at a malt shop. When we started to go in it dawned on me that she couldn’t sit with me at the soda fountain. That is the first time I was aware of racism and white privilege. It was a total shock to me. My first thought was how am I going to spare her feelings. It didn’t occur to me that she had already experienced many instances of discrimination. After all she was the maid and would not have been allowed to apply for any other job at the business where we worked. I have often wondered how I got to be that old and wasn’t aware of racism. Who taught me that people of color were o.k. and my white skin was not something that should give me special privilege? I lived with my grandparents until I was 8 years old and it was never discussed. My grandparents were kind and caring people. We didn’t have very much but there was always enough to share with others.
If you believe something ask who taught me that? Why is there so much hatred in this country at this time? Who is promoting it? Why do white people feel so threatened by others who may have a different skin color, different beliefs, etc.? Who taught them that? Why did they keep that teaching rather than evaluating the situation and making their own determination? No one is born hating others - for any reason.
At fifteen I was puzzled and saddened that having a different color should limit people and in 2020 at 82 years I still feel very sad that there is so much hatred in the world. However, I am grateful to all of the people who taught me to value others, regardless of their race, religion, color or origin.
Even at my current stage in life I value people who I can learn from and hopefully I can teach something. Everyone had something to teach and hopefully I will always be open to learning.
Nan Sloan, Boone, Iowa
Shelly Stotts for Iowa House
Dear Boone County Iowa Readers, Hopefully you are aware that Shelly Stotts, Boone Community Schools experienced teacher and life-long Boone, Iowa resident, is the Democratic candidate to represent the citizens of Boone and most of Boone County at the Iowa Legislature in Des Moines. She is running for the District 47 Iowa House of Representatives seat currently held by Republican Phil Thompson. Shelly is a moderate. From her lifelong (35 years) experiences as a teacher she knows how to work with committees, parents, and school administrators. I know she will strive to represent all the citizens in this district using her listening skills associated with a strong work ethic to get things accomplished. She will be supportive of education of our young people, Pre-kindergarten, through the Community College age group. She recognizes the economic stressors of families during the time of this pandemic. She will be supportive of accessible health care services and work to maintain the critical access hospital status of our local Boone County Hospital She recognizes funding for Iowa Schools has diminished under the Reynolds administration, and needs to be challenged during the upcoming legislative session. After her husband was killed 21 years ago in an accident, she was a single mom working full time to meet the needs of her two young daughters. She recognizes the costs of raising a family and knows that the low minimum wage in Iowa is resulting in a wide spread economic problem. Foremost, she wants the future to be bright for her as well as our grandchildren. We residents of Boone County deserve a representative who is not tied to special interest groups, and will be committed to representing Boone citizens. I am grateful Shelly is willing to run for the Iowa House of Representatives.
Mary Weaver