DES MOINES ñ Legislators are considering further steps to keep Workforce Development field offices open, including the possibility of a special session with the sole purpose of overriding Governor Branstad’s line-item vetoes of legislation prohibiting the closure of the offices. Above: Charles City’s Workforce Development Office, which is on the list for possible closure.|DES MOINES ñ Legislators are considering further steps to keep Workforce Development field offices open, including the possibility of a special session with the sole purpose of overriding Governor Branstad’s line-item vetoes of legislation prohibiting the closure of the offices. Democrats plan to reach out to their Republican colleagues to consider the possibility for the special session.
Representative Sharon Steckman told NorthIowaToday.com that “With more than 100,000 Iowans out of work and looking for employment the Governor’s veto of the rural workforce centers is unbelievable. He talks necessary government cuts to 36 rural workforce centers, yet chastises the USPS for cutting rural post offices. He is telling people looking for a job to go on line at the local library.”
“The funding of these centers and the policy language were both vetoed. They passed unanimously in the House and the Senate,” Steckman continued. “That’s why, (on Friday) Representative Kevin McCarthy and Senator Mike Gronstal issued a formal call for a special session to override the Governor’s veto. A letter will be sent out to each House and Senate member asking for our signatures on a petition requesting the session. They are to be returned by August 15th.”
“We passed overwhelmingly bipartisan legislation to save the Workforce Offices,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal. “With more than 100,000 Iowans out of work, this is no time to close offices that assist those searching for jobs, preparing for interviews and improving their skills, while also helping businesses find qualified employees.”
“We should continue to make sure Iowans and communities have the resources they need to get back on their feet and recover from the national economic recession,” said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy. “That’s the job we were sent to the Statehouse to do.”
Governor Branstad line-item vetoed language in Senate File 517 that required the state to maintain the current number of Workforce Development field offices. In his veto message, the Governor said he intends to proceed with his plan to close at least 36 Workforce Offices around the state and replace them with library kiosks.
“Most of the offices Governor Branstad wants to close are in rural areas,” said Representative Roger Thomas, ranking member of the House Economic Development Committee. “Many of them are in communities with the highest unemployment rates that are most in need of job-assistance resources.”
State Senator Amanda Ragan wants to save the Workforce Development Office in Charles City.
“The Workforce Office in Charles City assists unemployed Iowans who are searching for jobs, preparing for interviews and improving their skills, while also helping businesses find qualified employees,” said Ragan. “It’s outrageous that Governor Branstad would shut the doors at a time when more than 100,000 Iowans are out of work.”
“We were sent to the Statehouse to create jobs and help grow Iowa’s economy,” added Ragan. “I can’t understand why Governor Branstad would close Workforce Offices in some of the rural areas that were hardest hit by the national economic recession and that need job-assistance resources the most.”
“Going to the library is not the same as having access to an expert who will help you design a personalized strategy to get you back on your feet,” said Ragan. “Librarians from across the state have told us they don’t have the expertise or the resources to provide meaningful employment services. This is about jobs and securing Iowa’s economic recovery.”
“Governor Branstad is basically telling Iowans struggling to find work that they should ‘go to the library and look online,’” said Senator Dotzler, chair of the Senate Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. “I worked as a machine operator for years, and I’m telling you that when an entire community is facing layoffs, it’s not that easy.”
“At the local Workforce Office, an expert will help you come up with an individualized strategy for getting back on your feet, whether it’s enrolling in a certificate program at a community college, writing a resume or learning how to interview for a job,” said Representative Kirsten Running Marquardt, ranking member of the House Economic Development Budget Subcommittee. “This is about jobs.”
“Normally we would wait until the next legislative session in January to respond to the Governor’s veto, but with more than 100,000 Iowans out of work, this is an urgent situation,” explained Senator Steve Sodders, chair of the Senate Economic Development Budget Committee. “The Governor is ready to break leases and shut the doors on these offices. We need to discuss what we can do to prevent that.”
In addition, Representative Dave Jacoby, a member of the Workforce Development Board, plans to reach out to his Republican colleagues on the board to support the call for a special session.
Article III, section 2, of the Constitution of the State of Iowa provides that members of the legislature may convene a special session if two-thirds of each house signs a petition. A veto override also requires support from two-thirds of each chamber.
Proposed closings:
