Gov. Culver should veto this bill

The Democrats in both houses of the state Legislature have rushed through passage in under a week of a bill that drastically alters the collective bargaining rights of public sector workers.

The changes greatly expand the power of teachers unions and other unions representing public employees to bring to the bargaining table issues that previously were solely the province of school boards, city councils and other elected governing bodies. If this legislation becomes law, subjects such as work shifts and schedules, discipline provisions, staffing levels, selection of insurance carriers, school class size and assorted other matters would become issues that could be included in contract negotiations.

The end result could be higher taxes forced upon the public as a result of contracts much more wide ranging than any Iowans have seen previously. The ramifications of this law are enormous, but it was speeded through the Legislature with little opportunity for careful discussion or input from the citizens who will be asked to pay the higher taxes that may lie ahead.

Gov. Chet Culver cautioned his fellow Democrats to approach this expansion of collective bargaining power carefully.

“I don’t think, to date, a genuine effort to find consensus and common ground through constructive dialogue and discussion has occurred. Important changes to government at every level are being considered here,” the governor said in a statement issued Friday. “I continue to have concerns about making sure that members of the legislative and executive branches, as well as local governments and school boards, fully understand the substance of and potential fiscal impacts of this legislation.”

Culver urged his party in the Senate — and only Democrats supported this bill in the form it was ultimately passed— to move more slowly so affected parties and the citizenry could weigh in. The Senate Democrats ignored the governor’s sound advice and hurriedly passed the bill Monday.

While the union leaders who lobbied vigorously for this dangerous bill are no doubt pleased, the Democrats in the Legislature have acted with arrogant disregard of the public good. We suspect that the governor has much sympathy for the goals this bill would turn into law. He was right, however, that such an important change should not become law with so little public discussion.

Consequently, The Messenger urges the governor to send a strong message to the Legislature by vetoing this bill. He should force lawmakers to consult fully with the citizens of Iowa before adopting such a major change in state law.

It won’t be easy for Culver to veto this bill because doing so will anger many of his fellow Democrats. If the governor has the courage to wield his veto pen, however, it will require lawmakers to pay heed to his sensible words regarding appropriate public input.

It’s time to put good government ahead of party loyalty, governor. Veto this bill.