Rural America Fights Back: Iowa Summit Calls for Fair Funding, Stronger Communities

Rural America fights back: Iowa summit calls for fair funding, stronger communities

NEED TO KNOW: Rural leaders are organizing for change. A coalition from across the country met in Des Moines in April to address unique challenges facing rural communities. The summit highlighted community-driven solutions that are working in rural areas—like residents coming together to stop a utility rate hike or establish paid family leave. Attendees said they were frustrated with the growing influence of the ultra-wealthy in politics, and…

Rural Iowans call for clean water during summit

(Iowa News Service) – Rural Iowans are asking lawmakers to be more aggressive in fighting for cleaner water in the state’s notoriously dirty rivers, lakes, and streams. Advocates from across the country gathered in Des Moines this month to exchange ideas on how to address the issue. People from as far away as Maine and Arizona gathered at the Rural Policy Action Summit in Des Moines to address health care costs, a labor shortage in rural America…