Progress Iowa calls on Republicans to apologize for ignoring Iowans while chatting with Walker
Iowa Republican legislators today took a Skype call from Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, while ignoring the voices of thousands of their constituents who have rallied in opposition to their proposed attacks on public sector collective bargaining. In response, Progress Iowa executive director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement:
“Republican legislators should listen to their constituents, not Skype with Scott Walker. Thousands of Iowans gathered at the capitol tonight, to have their voices heard. Instead of listening, Republican legislators hid behind closed doors and took a call from a Governor whose attacks on working families have driven their state into the ground. Wisconsin has become a cautionary tale after Governor Walker passed far reaching attacks on worker’s rights. Their state’s economy has stalled and Wisconsin’s job growth trails behind the rest of the country. This is a governing model we should run away from as fast as possible, not embrace.”
“Iowans are incredibly frustrated with the Republican leadership in the state legislature, as well as with Governor Branstad and Lt. Governor Reynolds, who seem hell bent on gutting the rights of public employees. They refused to engage in discussion before releasing the legislation, making up their minds behind closed doors. And once the proposed bills were released, they were fast-tracked in order to stifle citizen input. That’s not what democracy looks like.”
“Iowa’s elected officials should be responsive to and represent the people of Iowa, not hide behind closed doors and chat with Wisconsin’s failed Governor. Tonight, Republicans insulted every Iowan who showed up to engage in the legislative process, and they owe them an apology.”
Additional information:
Gov. Scott Walker’s tweet, 5:31 PM, February 13:
“Happy to speak to my friends in the Iowa Legislature via Skype.”
Milwaukee Business Journal: Wisconsin pace of job growth trails most states
Des Moines Register: Don’t shut out unions from collective bargaining debate
“They should be part of the discussion now, not when legislators have already made up their minds behind closed doors.”
Des Moines Register: Union busting? Iowa GOP is coming close
“Lawmakers put the bill on the fast track…”
http://www.desmoinesregister.c
KCRG: Thousands rally against collective bargaining proposals
