Labor Laws Have Many Adverse Effects

A public hearing with the Iowa Legislature will be held today (Feb. 17th) in regards to the topic of the labor laws they are currently considering. I will register to speak as a candidate for state representative and will also submit the following:
Today you will hear statistics presented that make it very clear - if you pass the law you are currently considering (Fair Share renamed Reasonable Reimbursement) it will have an adverse, long-term effect on Iowa's economy and job market. That alone is reason enough not to pass it.
Iowans are already trying to cope with significant increases in taxes and fees in the last couple of years and are very skeptical, to say the least, of growing government that is exerting more and more control over their lives. Even if you pass this law, which does both of the above, to benefit unions - they will hold YOU accountable for the increased intrusion in their lives and cuts to their family finances, and rightly so.
In addition to costing our state jobs, you will also be responsible for stirring up strong animosity and stress between union and non-union workers. Don't make the mistake of saying these laws are just about forcing "free riders" to pay for services they receive. If they were, the law should be about releasing unions from that responsibility. The majority of workers who choose not to belong to a union do so because they do not agree with many of the positions the unions and their leaders stand for, including some of the demands they make in negotiations. I have a good friend who has received state honors for her work as an RN at the Iowa Veteran's Home. She once told me that she would quit before she would pay money to a union.
These labor laws are more about creating revenue for unions with declining membership so they can continue to promote their agendas than they are about getting benefits for the rank and file - and we all know it. When union leaders continue to make demands that cost jobs - leaders don't lose their jobs - the rank and file do.
I urge you not to pass these laws but rather to work on encouraging businesses to create private sector, sustainable jobs for our community. That's what we really need! Thank you for the opportunity to have my voice heard.