Iowa Senate News Release
Senator Bill Dotzler: (319) 538-2247
Representative Jerry Kearns: (319)524-1570
For Immediate Release: March 6, 2014
(DES MOINES) House and Senate Democrats today highlighted their push for legislation that will create “win-wins” for Iowa workers and employers. Lawmakers said that rewarding hard work and businesses that act responsibly would build a stronger, more productive Iowa economy.
State Senator Bill Dotzler of Waterloo drew attention to legislation in the Iowa Senate which pushed back against unfair business competition that hurts both responsible businesses and workers.
“Iowa Democrats and Republicans are learning that when we work together, good things can happen,” Dotzler, Senate chair of the Joint Economic Development Appropriations Budget Subcommittee. “Workers and responsible Iowa businesses are both winners when we crack down on the bad actors in Iowa’s economy. I’m talking about outfits that compete unfairly by failing to pay their subcontractors on time or refusing to pay their workers what they are owed.”
The Iowa Senate has already approved “Prompt Pay” legislation (Senate File 2155) that allows subcontractors to sue for what they are owed plus interest when commercial contractors refuse to pay on time. This week the Senate passed a compromise version of wage theft legislation (Senate File 2295). It targets shady Iowa businesses which compete unfairly and cheat workers by shorting paychecks, confiscating tips, misclassifying workers, unauthorized paycheck deductions; and refusing to pay overtime.
“You can’t build 21st century economy by encouraging businesses to pay 19th century wages,” said Rep. Jerry Kearns of Keokuk, a member of the House Labor Committee. “We all know raising the minimum wage will help some 300,000 Iowa workers, but it will also help Iowa businesses what value and invest in their employees. Rather than encouraging a low wage race to the bottom, raising the minimum wage while also helping workers improve their skills will bring real growth to the Iowa economy.”
Kearns said Iowa should continue to increase opportunities for Iowans to fill Iowa skilled worker shortages. House and Senate Democrats will push for an increase in community college funding, continuing the tuition freeze at public universities, and expanding apprenticeship programs.
“Iowa workers, Iowa businesses and Iowa educators are making progress building a skilled workforce,” said Kearns. “A serious drag on that momentum, however, is employers who pay wages so low that workers need public assistance to survive. Raising the minimum wage will help businesses that invest in their workers and in Iowa’s future.”
Smarter childcare assistance is also a priority because access to reliable, affordable childcare helps both workers and employers. Democrats are working to change the rule that that cuts off all support the moment a family earns a dollar more than the “financial cliff” specified in state law. Other changes will make it easier for workers taking classes to improve their skills to continue to have childcare assistance.
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