Republicans fear late-session legislation

With an end to the 2009 legislative session in sight, Republicans are warning supporters that several contentious bills involving labor protections and tax code changes are not as dead as it once seemed.

House Minority Leader Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, issued a statement saying Democrats may “make one last go” at passing labor-backed proposals, pointing specifically at a measure that would expand collective bargaining rights for public sector employees.

Iowans for Tax Relief, a Muscatine-based taxpayer watchdog group, issued an e-mail alert to members that “secret meetings with arm-twisting and horse-trading, are being led by House Democrat leaders” with the goal of passing a tax reform proposal that would end federal deductibility and use the money raised to lower tax rates overall. The organization is asking supporters to call lawmakers and urge them to oppose the measure.

Democratic legislative leaders have insisted that labor-backed legislation and the tax reform bill could still pass this session. It is understood that each of the bills would easily pass the Senate, where Democrats hold a 32-18 advantage. However, House Speaker Pat Murphy has said they won’t be brought to a vote until a 51st vote can be found in the House, something that has proven difficult so far.