2019 LEGISLATIVE SESSION
ACTION ALERT #5 -- March 1st 2019
“A justice system that reflects God’s desires for the world is one that is healing and restorative. Those who have been victimized by crime and the communities in which they reside need healing. . . Those who commit crimes must be held accountable through making amends to those they have caused to suffer, and they must be given the opportunity to return to their full place in society and community. . . God’s justice always works to bring reconciliation. Systems of retribution breed only violence and isolation. Indeed, “we cannot punish our way to a healthy society.”
(Laura Manani and Harmon Wray, Beyond Prisons, Fortress Press. [p.5]
Resolution 5031. Humanizing Criminal Justice, The Book of Resolutions of the United Methodist Church, 2016, The United Methodist Publishing House, Nashville, Tennessee, pages 490-491.
In This Issue
- Urgent Action Needed: This is Funnel Week
- Death Penalty Bills Senate File 296 *correction*
- Preventing Police Racial Profiling SSB 1038
- Restoring Felons Voting Rights SSB 1046
- Advocacy ABC's
- How to Contact Legislators
- Advocacy Team
|
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
This is Funnel Week at the Legislature
|
- Bills that we want passed need to be passed in one legislative body this week or they are dead for this year.
- Bills that we don’t want passed need to be stopped now! It becomes harder to stop if they are passed by one legislative body before March 8.
That means if you support the United Methodist stand on this bills and want to let your legislators know, it is time to act NOW! THIS WEEKEND! THIS WEEK!
|
DEATH PENALTY *corrected from last email
|
The first bill we are declared AGAINST is Senate File 296 to reinstate the Death Penalty.
(We are working with Iowans Against the Death Penalty who supplied information with us.)
DEATH PENALTY BILL SENATE FILE 296
Plans to restore the death penalty in Iowa after more 55 years without it are brewing again in the Iowa Senate. We must tell our state senators we say: “NO!” It’s especially important for you to contact you senator if your senator is on the Senate Judiciary Committee listed below.
Details
Senate File 296 is an “Act creating a capital murder offense by establishing the penalty of death for murder in the first-degree offenses involving kidnapping and sexual abuse offenses against the same victim who is a minor, and including effective date and applicability provisions.” Twenty Republican senators introduced the bill in the Iowa Senate on Tuesday, February 19.
Senate File 296 passed out of the subcommittee with Senators Schultz, Chapman, and Garrett approving the measure. Senators Petersen and Bisignano voted against moving the bill to the full Judiciary Committee.
The Judiciary Committee must approve the bill before the March 8 first funnel deadline.
That means that the bill must be addressed by the Senate Judiciary Committee next week, or it is ineligible for debate this year.
We do NOT want the Committee to bring it up for consideration.
Members of the Senate Judiciary Committee are listed below. You may access their contact information by clicking on their name to access their legislative page.
· Brad Zaun (R, District 20), Chair
· Dan Dawson (R, District 8), Vice Chair
· Kevin Kinney (D, District 39), Ranking Member
· Tony Bisignano (D, District 17)
· Jake Chapman (R, District 10)
· Julian B. Garrett (R, District 13)
· Robert Hogg (D, District 33)
· Zach Nunn (R, District 15)
· Janet Petersen (D, District 18)
· Jason Schultz (R, District 9)
· Tom Shipley (R, District 11)
· Amy Sinclair (R, District 14)
· Annette Sweeney (R, District 25)
· Rich Taylor (D, District 42)
· Zach Whiting (R, District 1)
Email addresses of legislators are firstname.lastname@legis.iowa.gov
Call them at the Capitol Phones: Senate: 515 281-3371
If you are not sure of who your legislators are, go to this page https://www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators/find and follow the instructions
Message
Let your senator know:
- That you oppose the death penalty and Senate File 296.
- That you are a constituent and that you reside at [provide your address].
- That would “urge” him/her to oppose SF 296, a bill reinstating the death penalty in Iowa.
- And, that you would like to know his/her position on the SF 296.
- Be sure to leave contact information so that your senator can respond to you.
We don’t have much time before this bill comes before the whole committee, so please don’t delay – Act Today! It will come as early as Tuesday, March 5.
Even if your senator is not on the Judiciary Committee (listed above), please write him/her with the guidelines above. Also, please share whatever information you receive from your senator with Iowans Against the Death Penalty at: Iowans Against the Death Penalty | 515-229-4578 | info@iowansagainstthedeathpenalty.org|www.iowansagainstthedeathpenalty.org
PREVENTING RACIAL PROFILING IN IOWA
SSB 1038 |
SUMMARY OF POSITION: We call on state representatives to do the following:
1. Prioritize and enact legislation to end racial profiling;
2. Allocate sufficient funds to ensure vigorous enforcement of legislation to prevent racial profiling;
3. Retrain law enforcement on how to discontinue and prevent the use of racial profiling; and
4. Ensure that law enforcement agencies are accountable for the discontinuing and preventing the use of racial profiling.
Because we oppose the practice of racial profiling anywhere in the United States but have particular concern for our own state of Iowa, we currently support Senate Study Bill 1038 (SSB1038) and urge that it move forward to become a law to prevent racial profiling in Iowa.
UNITED METHODIST OFFICIAL STATEMENTS
We affirm all persons as equally valuable in the sight of God. We therefore work toward societies in which each person’s value is recognized, maintained, and strengthened. We support the basic rights of all persons to equal access to housing, education, communication, employment, medical care, legal redress for grievances, and physical protection. [emphasis added]
(Social Principles: The Social Community, The Book of Discipline, 2016)
Individuals of color have a disproportionate number of encounters with law enforcement, indicating that racial profiling continues to be a problem. A report by the US Department of Justice found that Blacks and Hispanics were approximately three times more likely to be searched during a traffic stop than white motorists. African Americans were twice as likely to be arrested and almost four times as likely to experience the use of force during encounters with the police.(American Prospect, March 17, 2012, “The 10 Most Disturbing Facts About Racial Inequality in the U.S. Criminal Justice System”, Book of Resolutions—White Privilege in the US #3376)
Racial profiling is a violation of the respect for human rights, an abhorrent manifestation of racism, and violation of the moral standard of the United States and The United Methodist Church. [It] threatens the safety of both US citizens and immigrants.
(From Resolution #3377, Opposition to Racial Profiling in the US, Book of Resolutions, Adopted 2016)
ADDITIONAL FACTS AND CONSIDERATIONS
-- For every 10,000 citizens, African Americans are stopped 3,400 times. Hispanics were stopped 360 more times.
-- Stopped African Americans are 127 percent more likely to get frisked than Caucasians.
-- Stopped Hispanics are 43 percent more likely to get frisked than Caucasians.
-- Stopped African Americans had a 76 percent higher chance of getting searched.
-- Stopped Hispanics had a 16 percent higher chance of getting searched.
-- Stopped African Americans had a 26 percent higher chance and stopped Hispanics had a 32 percent higher chance of getting arrested.
(On behalf of posted in Civil Rights on Tuesday, June 6, 2017)
There have been instances of racial profiling by law enforcement in communities in Iowa. One such incident (currently involved in the court process) occurred in Des Moines, Iowa, in the summer of 2018. It was captured on video (https://www.facebook.com/iowacci/videos/230730307633180/).
Since the practice of racial profiling “has been a concern of numerous civil rights organizations and The United Methodist Church for decades” and the prophet Isaiah has spoken these words: “Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees, to deprive the poor of their rights, and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people” (Isaiah 10:1-2a NIV), United Methodists are called “to be proactive in educating . . . about racial profiling and establishing networks of cooperation with criminal justice and law enforcement agencies.”(Resolution #3377, Book of Resolutions, Adopted 2016)
(Submitted on behalf of the Iowa United Methodist Legislative Advocacy Team. For more information about this issue, please contact Rita Carter, ritaac@mchsi.com, 515-979-0605.)
Preventing Police Racial Profiling SSB 1038
The Chair of the Senate Judiciary has asked us to get our supporters to call members of the Senate to let them know that people support this bill.
This bill has come before the Senate before, but this time it has broad support of NAACP, Catholics, United Methodists, ACLU and some law enforcement bodies. It deserves a hearing and debate before the Senate. But first it must be passed by the Senate Judiciary Committee whose chair is in favor of it.
Message
Let your senator know:
That you ARE IN FAVOR of Preventing Racial Profiling, Senate Study Bill 1038.
That you are a constituent and that you reside at [provide your address].
That would “urge” him/her to vote in favor of SSB 1038, a bill reinstating the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences in Iowa.
And, that you would like to know his/her position on the SSB 1038.
Be sure to leave contact information so that your senator can respond to you.
We don’t have much time before this bill comes before the whole committee, so please don’t delay – Act Today! It will come as early as Tuesday, March 5. Even if your senator is not on the Judiciary Committee (listed above), please write him/her with the guidelines above.
| RESTORE FELON VOTING RIGHTS |
AMENDMENT TO RESTORE FELON VOTING RIGHTS - FOR
This Constitutional Amendment backed by Governor Reynolds is in trouble in the senate.
Senate Study Bill 1046 (SSB1046) It is also coming before the Senate Judiciary Committee this week.
Call the same people as before but this time ask them to vote FOR THE BILL RESTORING FELON VOTING RIGHTS.
The Chair of the Senate Judiciary has asked us to get our supporters to call members of the Senate to let them know that people support this bill. (Information on this bill was in our Action Alert 3, February 22.)
Message
Let your senator know:
- That you IN FAVOR of restoring felon voting rights and Senate Study Bill 1046.
- That you are a constituent and that you reside at [provide your address].
- That would “urge” him/her to vote in favor of SSB 1046, a bill reinstating the voting rights of felons who have completed their sentences in Iowa.
- And, that you would like to know his/her position on the SSB 1046.
- Be sure to leave contact information so that your senator can respond to you.
We don’t have much time before this bill comes before the whole committee, so please don’t delay – Act Today! It will come as early as Tuesday, March 5. Even if your senator is not on the Judiciary Committee (listed above), please write him/her with the guidelines above
READ MORE AND GET THE FULL PAPER HERE
As United Methodists we have a long history of concern for social justice, and “members have often taken forthright positions on controversial issues involving Christian principles”1 including opposition to the slave trade, to smuggling, and to the cruel treatment of prisoners in the early days of Methodism. We continue this legacy today as “we renew our commitment to become faithful witnesses to the gospel, not alone to the ends of earth, but also to the depths of our common life and work.”2
Thank you for your efforts in advocating/lobbying to influence public and government policy!
ACCURACY – Before you make contact with a legislator, take some time to think about why you care about the issue. Speak from your own experiences and use them to enhance an issue. If you are asked a question, answer to the best of your ability. You don’t need to be an expert, and it’s okay to say “I don’t know. Let me find out.” Or “Good question Senator/Representative; I’ll find out and get back to you.” Find out the best way to reach them, and be sure to follow through. Try to use the most recent information possible. Identify yourself as a constituent and United Methodist.
BREVITY – Make your message interesting and compelling, simple and straightforward (no soapboxes/preaching). If you are with a group, decide on the main message and request; and be sure everyone who wants to speak has a chance to share. Remember to make a specific “ask” with a direct question, such as “Can we count on you to support (Bill Subject or Number)?”
COURTESY – Be sure to LISTEN as well as talk. Confrontation is not advocacy—remain respectful at all times or else walk away. Silence electronic devices. Be patient and flexible. Remember that legislators are regular people, too, so relax and speak honestly! Be sure to thank them for their time and attention—and remember to continue to build a relationship with them through contacts in the future. Report meeting results to the Advocacy Team. Don’t be discouraged if the response from the legislator was not what you wanted. It’s just part of the political process.
| How to Contact Legislators |
Find your state senator or representative at www.legis.iowa.gov/legislators
Use the Find Your Legislators link to enter your address and find your senator and representative.
By clicking on the names of your senator and representative, and you can see a photo of them, their phone number at the Capitol, and an e-mail address.
You can contact them by e-mail or phone, or write them a letter.
- Email addresses of legislators are firstname.lastname@legis.iowa.gov
- Capitol address: 1007 East Grand, Des Moines, IA 50019
- Capitol phones: Senate: 515-281-3371, House: 515-281-3221
As you become acquainted with them, it is appropriate to ask them how they would best like to be contacted. You can also attend coffees or town hall type meetings while the legislature is in session. These are usually on the weekend. Call the legislator to find out when and where they will be hosting a meeting.
2019 Advocacy Team
Iowa Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
(Part-Time Volunteers, Paid Stipend)
