SMARTSTART CLASS Union County Development Association is offering a SMARTStart class Monday, March 6 and March 13. For more information, see page 6A. >>
STATE CHAMPION
Creston/O-M senior Chase Shiltz became Iowa’s 88th three-time state champion Saturday at the State Wrestling Tournament. For more on Shiltz, see SPORTS, page 1S. >>
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MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 2017
Lawmakers address Known for collective bargaining political bill at legislative coffee temperance, Iowa moves sharply right DES MOINES (AP) — After decades as the crossroads of prairie populists and checkbook conservatives, Iowa has suddenly become solidly Republican like many of its Midwestern neighbors. It was one of four states — along with Kentucky, Missouri and New Hampshire — that flipped to complete GOP control in the November election, but Iowa’s rush of new legislation has been the most intense. In an all-night session last
week, Iowa lawmakers approved a bill similar to one enacted in Wisconsin six years ago that strips most public sector unions of long-held collective bargaining rights, including health insurance. Jeff Orvis, a veteran northern Iowa high school teacher, said he sees the measure leaving permanent damage to Iowa’s century-old reputation for quality schools, enshrined on the state’s 2004 commemorative quarter: “Foundation IOWA | 5A
CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER
Sen. Tom Shipley (R-Nodaway), left, answers Creston Community High School teacher Bill Mullin’s question Saturday morning during the legislative coffee at the restored Creston Depot. Also pictured, at right, is Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold).
By SCOTT VICKER
state worked ahead to finalize contracts before the bill was signed into law. Bill Mullin, a Creston Community High School teacher and president of the Creston Education Association, voiced his opinion on the law at Saturday’s legislative coffee. “Speaking for myself, I see this legislation as a solution looking for a problem,” Mullin said. “I don’t think it’s going to benefit educators. I don’t think it’s going to benefit communities. I don’t think it’s going to benefit the other public sector unions. My question is, would you please take a moment and please explain your vote on the legislation and your reasoning behind it?” Mullin received a round of applause from many of the 50-plus in attendance at the legislative coffee. Shipley noted there were many people in the Iowa
CNA managing editor svicker@crestonnews.com
The hot topic at Saturday’s legislative coffee hosted by the Creston Chamber of Commerce was the new collective bargaining bill signed into law by Gov. Terry Branstad Friday. Sen. Tom Shipley (R-Nodaway) and Rep. Tom Moore (R-Griswold) attended the legislative coffee. The law gives public sector unions in Iowa less authority to negotiate working conditions for teachers, nurses and correctional officers. It will prohibit workers from collectively negotiating over health insurance, extra pay and evaluation procedures. The changes will take effect after workers’ current contracts expire. Many school districts and local governments around the
Senate who wanted to get rid of the Iowa Code’s Chapter 20 altogether. But, he said, three key provisions were left in place. “The three things I heard from people like yourself were seniority, just cause and grievances were not going to be part of the plan,” Shipley said. “I won’t take credit for it, but there were several of us that said we need to address those. That should not be a dealbreaker. We get to this week, we find Monday morning that has been added back in. Those issues were addressed and they were put back in.” Shipley said since he asked for those provisions to be added back in, he felt he needed to support the bill. Otherwise, he said, the next time he asks for something to be done in the Senate, it won’t happen. “The simple answer was to do nothing,” Shipley
said. “The other end of it was people wanted to get rid of it altogether. That wasn’t the way to go, either. I get that people are really unhappy. People are unhappy with me about it. I understand that. I helped take some of the bite out of it, for what it’s worth.” Moore, who was a teacher for 33 years and served seven years on a school board, said he could not support the total bill. He pointed to three main reasons – he was concerned about rural schools not having the finances to attract and retain “younger, rock-star teachers” like the growing urban school districts, superintendents were already dealing with morale issues and he wanted more clarity on the insurance issues. “Do I support this bill? Yes, but there were enough COFFEE | 2A
Sunny swinging:
CNA photo by LARRY PETERSON
Daniel Buls, 11, enjoys swinging in 72-degree weather Friday after school in Rainbow Park. Record highs are predicted Tuesday and Wednesday before cooling to the 50s on Thursday.
CNA photo by BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA photo by SCOTT VICKER
Soup’s ready: Paul Fuller of Creston serves up a bowl of chili Saturday afternoon at the soup supper fundraiser for Union County Veteran’s Affairs, hosted by First United Methodist Church in Creston. Money raised from the soup supper is going toward sending Union County veterans on honor flights.
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‘Palette of Possibility:’ Brynn Dornack, 4, of Creston rests her head in her hand during
a colors game before the University of Northern Iowa children’s play “Palette of Possibility” held Friday evening in the instructional center at Southwestern Community College. The play was hosted by The Learning Center, and consisted of college theatre students performing a play based on various colors.
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Scott Vicker, managing editor