Collective bargaining bill may impact property taxes

Despite a warning by Gov. Chet Culver to slow down and listen to Iowans, the Senate moved forward to debate a bill (HF 2645) allowing “open-scope” collective bargaining for public employee unions. After six hours of debate, the bill passed on a 27-23 vote. Democratic Sens. Tom Rielly (Oskaloosa), Bill Heckroth (Waverly) and Frank Wood (Eldridge) voted with all 20 Republicans to oppose the bill.
                                                
After Monday’s vote, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) filed a Motion to Reconsider, which will withhold the bill from being sent to the Governor until further discussion can take place. On Tuesday Gov. Culver called the motion “a step in the right direction,” but threatened to veto the bill if efforts are not made to listen to the concerns of Iowans.

School boards, cities, counties, public hospitals, state schools and universities are concerned that losing authority in the bargaining process would expand the authority of un-elected, non-appointed public employee to increase public employee benefits at the expense of taxpayers. Several trade associations in Iowa are concerned this may result in a property tax increase. As a supporter of economic development in the state, the Iowa Bankers Association has closely monitored the bill.

“The IBA is concerned about any bill that threatens economic development in the state. Increased property taxes could hamper growth at a time when Iowa is making progress economically and many other parts of the country are experiencing economic uncertainty,” said Sharon Presnall, IBA senior vice president and lobbyist.

HF 2645 originally contained non-controversial language to the public employee collective bargaining section of the Code. An amendment filed by Rep. Rick Olson (D-Des Moines) proposed expanding the scope of what can be discussed in public employee union negotiations quickly became the subject of heated debate.

Under current law, items within the scope of union bargaining are: wages, vacations, holidays, seniority, transfer procedures, job classifications, procedures for staff reduction and in-service training.

Items added to the list under HF 2645 are: work shift schedules, insurance carriers, leaves of absence, shift differentials, overtime compensation, supplemental pay, health or safety matters, evaluation procedures, preparation time, class size, work uniforms, staffing levels, retirement systems and any other terms and conditions of employment.

File Photo
On Tuesday Gov. Chet Culver threatened to veto the public employee collective bargaining bill (HF 2645) if efforts are not made to listen to the concerns of Iowans.

Kevin Eekhoff announces candidacy for IBA Treasurer

Kevin R. Eekhoff of First National Bank in Akron has announced his candidacy for Treasurer of the Iowa Bankers Association. If elected, Eekhoff would replace current IBA Treasurer Roger E. Claypool, president and CEO of Shelby County State Bank in Harlan, who is seeking the position of Chair-Elect.

Eekhoff has been in the banking industry for 26 years. For the past 18 years, he has served as president and CEO of First National bank in Akron. As an active member of the Iowa Bankers Association, Eekhoff served two years on the IBA Board and is currently a member of the IBA Finance Committee. He has been Chair of IBA’s Group 1 and has also been a member of the IBA Management Committee.

Kevin R. Eekhoff

Roger E. Claypool