Collective Bargaining Bill Draws Criticism
(Des Moines) — The Republican sheriff from Woodbury county and a former aide to Governor Terry Branstad are among a host of speakers urging state senators to shelve a bill that changes Iowa’s collective bargaining law. Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew began his remarks during a senate hearing on Wednesday
afternoon by identifying himself as a Republican.
Critics say the bill will only allow unions to negotiate over the base wages of workers. Republicans plan to keep current negotiating rules in place for Iowa police and fire fighters, but the Woodbury County Sheriff says about half his
employees would only be allowed to negotiate about their base pay. And Drew told senators he rejects their attemtp to “shred apart” union workers.
Teamsters Union member John Thomas is a policeman in Mitchellville. He says Republicans in the legislature are forcing “collective begging” on public employees.
During the 1990s, Jody Butler of Ankeny served nearly five years as Governor Branstad’s education policy advisor. She testified against the bill Branstad and his fellow Republicans seek.
Butler says it’s ironic she spent all that time “working for the governor” to improve schools, only to see that progress “stripped away.”
A plan by Republican lawmakers to quickly pass a bill that would drastically cut collective bargaining rights for Iowa public workers
has several similarities to Wisconsin’s signature 2011 law that led to massive protests in that state.
Labor experts say the 68-page bill introduced recently by Iowa GOP lawmakers has provisions that mirror Wisconsin’s law, which prohibited public sector unions from negotiating workers’ benefits such as health insurance and working conditions.
Republicans control the Iowa statehouse following the Nov. 8 election, and the GOP governor backs the measure.
The Iowa bill was on track Wednesday to clear several procedural votes in the House and Senate. Full chamber debate could happen as early as Monday, less than a week after the legislation was introduced to the public.
Ebert To Go To Trial On April 4th
(Le Mars) — A trial date has now been scheduled for the Cherokee woman who is accused of intentionally causing an auto accident to injure her boyfriend.
Melissa Ebert originally had taken an Alford plea agreement, but then changed her mind, and instead now has requested a jury trial. Ebert is scheduled for trial on April 4th at the Plymouth County District Courthouse. Ebert is accused of intentionally wanting to injure her boyfriend during a September of 2015 auto
accident that happened on county road C-38 east of Le Mars.
Huls Honored As Chamber’s “Employee Of The Month”
(Le Mars) — A building maintenance worker was honored Wednesday afternoon as the latest Le Mars Area Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month”. Dave Huls, who
has been employed with Primebank for 20 years, was given the recognition and a plaque during a small ceremony. Joining Primebank in 1996, Dave has been instrumental in transforming a facility built at a time when little thought was given to technological needs, into the facility it is today…one that
comfortably houses nearly 50 workers and a place that hosts lots of cables and wires designed to support their ever-increasing technological demands. A native of Le Mars, Dave developed his skills for plumbing, wiring, and general building maintenance under the watchful eye of his father, a long-time plumbing and
heating specialist. When the need arises for someone to create something out of nothing, Dave’s the one Primebank staff member to look to. Always willing to be of assistance, Dave can be found helping with the construction of parade floats,
home show displays, and just about anything else the bank staff calls upon him for help. In addition to all of this, Dave is also the one responsible for maintaining Primebank’s network of Automated Teller Machines. Daytime or nighttime, Dave’s the one who receives the call when one of Primebank’s ATM’s
requires the need for human assistance. Our congratulations go to Dave Huls for being named as the Chamber of Commerce “Employee of the Month”.
Sheldon’s Correctional Facility To Be Shut Down
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The head of Iowa’s prison system has ordered a temporary shutdown of several satellite prison units to deal with a $5.5 million budget cut to the agency.
Iowa Corrections Director Jerry Bartruff said Wednesday that units at Harpers Ferry, Clarinda and Fort Madison,
which currently hold nearly 400 prisoners, will be shut down. Bartruff says services also will be suspended at the Sheldon Residential Treatment Facility, which houses 26 offenders.
Iowa prison spokeswoman Lettie Prell says most offenders in the prison units will be transferred to other units and institutions, while others had already been granted release by the Parole Board. She says other placements will be found for offenders at the Sheldon facility.
Branstad Signs Education Spending Bill
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad has signed into law a K-12 education funding bill that school officials argue is inadequate.
Branstad signed the legislation Wednesday. It would add about $40 million to Iowa’s roughly $3 billion K-12 education budget for the spending year that goes into effect in July.
The Republican-controlled House and Senate voted along party lines to approve the bill. GOP lawmakers supported the bill after hours of debate in which Democrats argued the small increase would lead to bigger classroom sizes, delayed curriculum offerings and teacher layoffs.
Republicans say the amount is responsible spending as the state faces budget constraints. Branstad recommended about $78 million more for K-12 education last month, though he didn’t reference that fact in a press release announcing his decision.
