Speaker Murphy: no quid pro quo with labor because of concessions

JOHNSTON – Iowa House Speaker Pat Murphy insists no “quid pro quo” exists between Democratic lawmakers and labor unions that agreed to concessions in order to balance the state budget.

Two unions representing state employees have recently agreed to workers taking five unpaid days off, which will protect union members from being laid off between now and the end of June.

Those unions included the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Iowa Council 61 and the State Police Officers Council. The state's contribution to the employees' deferred compensation also is suspended.

Murphy said no agreement exists that lawmakers will consider measures favored by unions because the unions agreed to concessions.

“I think they really deserve a lot of credit, but there's no quid pro quo,” said Murphy, a Dubuque Democrat.

A slate of union-backed measures have failed to make it into law despite a Democratic governor and Democratic majorities in the both chambers of the Legislature.

Murphy said if those measures can get the 51 votes needed to pass them in the Iowa House, he will bring them up for a vote.

“I don't know at this point in time,” Murphy said.

Murphy kept the House in session over a weekend to try to gain enough votes to pass a bill that would have set requirements for wages paid to workers on some public construction projects, commonly referred to as “prevailing wage.” The measure failed to get enough votes to pass the House this year.

Murphy said the measure had special importance because of the city of Cedar Rapids' flood rebuilding efforts and the infrastructure improvement plan passed by lawmakers earlier this year.

“It gets into this whole issue of making sure that you reward hard work with good pay and good benefits,” Murphy said.

Murphy pointed to other measures supported by organized labor that have been passed. They include raising Iowa's minimum wage and increasing access to health care for children.

“I think we still have a good relationship with them,” Murphy said of organized labor. “It's just that some of their highest priorities we've come close, but haven't been able to pass.”

A group of conservative or pro-business Democrats dubbed the “six-pack” have helped sink some of the labor bills with their opposition.

Murphy insisted he will support them in re-election efforts, citing his assistance of Democratic House members who have faced primary challenges in the past.

“I support our incumbents, and I always will. Period,” Murphy said.

Murphy on other issues:

-- Murphy nixed the idea that more than one of the state's four mental health institutes might be closed in light of state budget challenges. A task force studying the issue is recommending that none of the institutions be closed.

“I think because of the budget situation, we're going to review everything this year, but there's no question in my mind, we will look closely at that,” Murphy said of the task force's report.

Murphy said people aren't being housed in institutions permanently as they were several decades ago, and lawmakers have reason to look at how services are delivered.

“If one of those close …we are going to still have to provide those services within the state. I think everybody agrees on that,” Murphy said.

-- Murphy weighed in on the prospect lawmakers might allow video lottery machines in businesses with liquor licenses such as bars. He said if lawmakers were asked about the issue now, they probably wouldn't have the votes to pass it. Once lawmakers face tough decisions in the upcoming legislative session, that discussion could come up, he said.

“I'm not ruling it out, but right now, I don't think the votes are there,” Murphy said.