And that’s exactly what happened in recent days when Democrats moved forward with a rewrite of Iowa’s collective bargaining laws for public employee unions.
The bill backed by Democrats expands the scope of issues that can be negotiated in collective bargaining.
They include such things as health and safety matters, staffing levels, work uniforms and equipment and discipline and discharge. Also included are class sizes for teachers.
Majority Democrats touted the legislation as a way to improve working conditions for public employees and to give them rights private-sector workers enjoy.
But GOP lawmakers argue the legislation is setting up Iowans for big tax increases when local governments are forced to shell out more as a result of collective bargaining changes.
No one can pinpoint how much those property tax hikes might be.
Republicans also believe the legislation takes away authority from local government and school officials.
What made the GOP just as mad was how quickly the proposal was introduced and moved to the House floor for a vote.
Few had time to consider the implications of the bill as it was pushed through. GOP lawmakers used a number of stall tactics in an attempt to water down the proposal and delay a final vote in the House.
Some lawmakers opposed to the bill tried to contact local officials during the debate to warn them of what was happening.
On the day it was scheduled for debate in the Senate, the chamber also was expected to consider a proposal some believe would strengthen the state’s so called “sunshine laws” meant to guarantee citizens access to government records and meetings.
House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, noted the irony.
Debate on the pro-union measure helped re-affirm there’s a new party in charge at the Statehouse.
Democrats swept into the majority in both chambers of the Legislature in 2006, along with newly elected Democratic Gov. Chet Culver.
They brought with them some pent-up frustration and a new focus on Iowa workers. They passed a hike in the minimum wage soon after they took over the majority and have moved forward with measures that help out unions.
When organized labor is the topic, even issues that might seem minor at first glance end up being epic battles on the House and Senate floors.
It helps lay bare the ideological differences between the parties, with Republicans often siding with business interests and anti-tax groups, and Democrats backing labor unions and workers.
Both interests also represent allies and major campaign contributors to the parties and their candidates.
But at least one controversial labor measure appears to be dead for the session.
A “fair share” proposal that dogged Democrats last year won’t be brought up this year unless Democrats can find the votes.
Fair share allows unions to charge service fees to employees who have decided not to join the union.
Republicans and business groups said fair share would gut Iowa’s right to work law, which prohibits forced union membership.
The measure fell short last year among Democrats, who couldn’t get the majority it needed to clear the House.
Charlotte Eby is Statehouse bureau chief for Lee Enterprises. Contact her at 515-243-0138 or chareby@aol.com.
