Senate Democrats and Republicans ended a 24-hour stalemate at mid-day
Friday and will delay a vote on sweeping legislation that could
drastically alter Iowa's collective bargaining laws. The agreement
means the Senate will adjourn for the weekend holiday. The Senate's 20
Republicans holed up in the Iowa Statehouse Thursday and Friday trying
to stall the bill's passage until more public comment could be made.
They refused to come back for the rest of the day and into the night,
while Democrats stood on the floor and waited. The legislature
typically adjourns on Thursday, but Republicans remained in a
conference room behind the senate chambers for more than a day as a
way to slow fast-track legislation that would give labor unions more
power to negotiate salary and working conditions.

Labels: state Senate, unions