DES MOINES – The Iowa Legislature has passed a bill that will reorganize state government and give Governor Kim Reynolds more power, alarming a state labor union and others fearful of her intentions.
Gov. Reynolds released the following statement in response to her Government Alignment bill passing the Iowa House (and earlier, the Iowa Senate):
“For decades, Iowans have seen state government grow beyond its means. Today, the Iowa House joined me and the Iowa Senate to declare an end to bloated bureaucracy. We are making government smaller, more efficient, and more effective. We are saving taxpayer dollars and putting Iowans’ needs first. This transformational legislation will put Iowa in the best position to help our state thrive.”
AFSCME Council 61: Working Iowans Will Pay The Price For Reynolds’ Power Grab
AFSCME Council 61 President Rick Eilander issued the following statement after the Iowa House of Representatives passed government reorganization legislation that vastly increases the authority of Governor Kim Reynolds:
“Every Iowan and working family in this state values our democracy. We understand the need for transparent government. We want our elected leaders to be held accountable. The legislation promoted by Governor Reynolds that passed today will give her unprecedented power and give us, her constituents, less opportunity to use our voice in opposition.
“Every Iowan should be alarmed that the legislature just gave Governor Reynolds a blank check to use political power in our state. We will continue speaking out. We will continue standing up for our members, public employees, and every working family in Iowa. And we will remind the Governor that she works for us, not the other way around.”
For more details on the Alignment bill, click here.
Currently, Republicans, who control the Iowa House and Senate by healthy majorities, are also considering bills that would eliminate the state income tax, empower landlords, and strike blows to LGBTQ rights. Reynolds in recent days has lavished praise upon, welcomed and met with extreme politicians like Nikki Haley and Donald Trump, reminding Iowans of her values. Iowa is an extremely red state. Its entire delegation to Congress is GOP, its Legislature is GOP-controlled and Reynolds is a staunch GOP governor. Iowa Democrats are in complete disarray and still embarrassed after they botched the 2020 Democratic caucus. This is out of step with the party nationally, where Democrats appear to be gaining an upper hand over the GOP, especially after the 2022 elections humiliated MAGA Republicans loyal to Trump.
