Iowa legislators sworn in

By Todd Dorman | Tuesday, January 09, 2007

TODAY: (Updated 10:08 a.m.) DES MOINES – Democrats took over the reins of the Iowa Legislature this morning vowing to swiftly raise the state’s minimum wage, improve schools, strengthen the economy and clean up the environment.

The new majority, which controls the Senate by a 30-20 margin and the House 54-46, also pledged to work with the Republicans they removed from power after a sometimes bitter campaign. The gavel dropped just after 10 a.m.

“In elections, somebody wins and somebody loses. But the election is over, and now it’s time to govern,” said House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque.

“We need to put aside our differences and work together for the good of Iowa. We have more in common than we have differences, so let’s build upon what we have in common,” Murphy said.

Democrats have not controlled the Legislature since 1992. And when Democratic Governor-elect Chet Culver is sworn in Friday, it will mark the first time the party has controlled the executive and legislative branches since 1965.

“We know that now, probably more than any other time in our state’s history, Iowans want us to put aside our petty differences and to resist the easy temptation to slip back into partisan bickering,” said House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines.

Democrats said they would hit the ground running during a week usually set aside for speeches and ceremony.

The first bill filed in both the House and Senate would raise the state’s minimum wage from $5.15 per-hour to $7.25 over the next two years. Leaders said the measure would be debated this week.

“It has been 15 years since we last raised the minimum wage, and there are over 100,000 Iowans currently making the minimum wage,” Murphy said.

Republican leaders also outlined their priorities and insisted their voices would be heard.

House Minority Leader Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, said the GOP would work with Democrats to refill the state’s depleted reserves and to reform the property tax system. But he warned Democrats against changing Iowa’s law prohibiting mandatory union membership.

Democrats have said they would consider legislation requiring nonunion members to pay dues for union-negotiated job benefits. Republicans oppose such a move.

“Gutting Iowa’s Right to Work law through any type of forced unionism was not part of your pre-election agenda,” Rants said in a speech to the House chamber. “Make no mistake, if you didn’t campaign on it, you don’t have a mandate for it.”

Todd Dorman can be contacted at (515) 243-0138 or at todd.dorman@lee.net.