Iowa: Collective Bargaining Bill Passes
According to The Daily Iowan:
Less than a week after a controversial amendment was added to a public-employee collective-bargaining bill, the Senate passed HF 2645, 27-23, Monday night.
The bill tweaks current collective-bargaining laws by expanding the number of subjects employers and employees are allowed to discuss in negotiations. If Gov. Chet Culver signs the bill, such subjects would include class size, staffing levels, and preparation time for teachers.
"It feels good," said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, a backer of the bill.
Many have criticized Democratic lawmakers for rushing the bill through the Legislature too quickly, however.
Culver, a Democrat, even called on his fellow party members Monday to allow for more debate on the bill.
"Unfortunately, I don't think, to date, a genuine effort to find consensus and common ground through constructive dialogue and discussion has occurred," the governor said in a statement.
Bolkcom said he was content with the way the process played out, however.
"I think the process worked," he said, pointing to the gap between last week's House passing of the bill and the Senate's approval Monday.
In the end, Senate leaders declined to heed Culver's advice, voting on the bill shortly after 6 p.m.
Senate Republicans had already stalled the bill once, locking themselves in a room last week in order to halt further action. But the two parties agreed to limit debate to six hours Monday, and after Republicans brought almost 20 amendments that ultimately failed, the bill passed...click to continue.
