DES MOINES – The unanimous decision by the Iowa Supreme Court to overturn Governor Branstad’s veto of a bipartisan effort to keep dozens of local workforce offices is a victory for tens of thousands of Iowans looking for a job, two key legislators said today.
Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo and Senator Daryl Beall of Fort Dodge, both plaintiffs on the lawsuit, pledged to work with the Governor to immediately reopen all workforce offices that were illegally closed.
“This is a huge victory for Iowans hoping to find a job,” said Dotzler, the chair of the Senate Economic Development Budget Subcommittee.
“It was a mistake to close dozens of local workforce offices during a severe economic recession and when returning soldiers are looking for work,” said Beall, chair of the Senate Veterans Committee. “Let’s work together to fix that mistake.”
Senate File 517 included specific funding to keep open dozens of local workforce offices that help unemployed Iowans find work. The legislation was approved with overwhelming, bipartisan support during the 2011 regular session. The state workforce offices help Iowans search for jobs, prepare for interviews, improve their skills and help businesses find qualified employees.