In an effort overturn Governor Branstad’s order to close critical workforce centers, leaders in the Iowa Legislature called for a special session to keep the centers open. After every Republican in the legislature declined to sign on to the effort, 36 offices, which help unemployed Iowans and small businesses looking for workers, are slated for closure beginning August 31st.|
From Rep. Sharon Steckman
In an effort overturn Governor Branstad’s order to close critical workforce centers, leaders in the Iowa Legislature called for a special session to keep the centers open. After every Republican in the legislature declined to sign on to the effort, 36 offices, which help unemployed Iowans and small businesses looking for workers, are slated for closure beginning August 31st.
Governor Branstad used his line-item veto authority in July to remove provisions prohibiting the closure of local Iowa Workforce Offices, despite a bipartisan compromise last session to keep the centers open. In his veto message, the Governor said he intends to close at least 36 Workforce Offices around the state and replace them with kiosks in libraries. Supporters of the override cited the importance of the workforce centers while 100,000 Iowans are still looking for employment and the bipartisan nature of the language the Governor vetoed.
The special session call was made under 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. However, the petition did not reach the two-thirds required in both chambers.