IowaPolitics.com BlogWatch

There was a terse exchange today at the statehouse as the Senate's
Republican leader tried to force action on a controversial labor bill.
The legislation would expand the subjects public employees can explore
during union contract negotiations. The bill has passed the Iowa House
and Senate, but Governor Culver raised concerns just before it was
approved by the Senate, so the top Democrat in the Senate used a
parliamentary procedure to essentially table the legislation. Senate
Republican Leader Ron Wieck of Sioux City tried today to lift that
hold and questioned Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council
Bluffs.

Labels: Chet_Culver, Mike Gronstal, Ron_Wieck, unions

An amendment to Iowa's constitution to ban gay marriage and a move to
reduce property taxes will be among the top priorities of newly
elected Iowa Senate Minority Leader Ron Wieck. Wieck, a Republican
from Sioux City in his second term, was elected by party colleagues
last week to replace retiring Sen. Mary Lundby. Republicans, holding
only 20 seats in the 50-seat Senate, have little power to wield. Their
new leadership will determine what actions they will take to use what
little power they have in influencing policies -- and to maneuver to
regain seats in the 2008 elections. In an interview with Iowa
Independent this week, Wieck discussed three main areas of focus that
he will use to achieve those goals. Those three issues: property tax
reform, health care reform and a constitutional amendment banning gay
marriage.

Labels: Ron_Wieck