Iowa Legislative News Release
For Immediate Release: July 10, 2018
Statement from Senate Democratic Leader Janet Petersen and House Democratic Leader Mark Smith
on plans to close Labor Center and other centers at University of Iowa because of GOP budget cuts and priorities
“This afternoon, we sent separate letters to (a) Governor Reynolds, Leader Whitver and Speaker Upmeyer and (b) University of Iowa President Harreld and Board of Regent President Richards to object to plans to close the Labor Center and other centers at the University of Iowa.
“We encouraged Republican leaders to contact University officials and the Board of Regents to encourage them to reverse course.
“Our letter stated: ‘This is not the first negative consequence of your fiscal mismanagement and Iowans know it won’t be the last. The budgets you have approved for our three universities have already raised tuition on working families and this decision to close the Labor Center is another attack on Iowa workers.’
“We added: ‘At a time when Iowa’s income growth and job creation efforts have failed to meet expectations, the Labor Center has the potential to provide policymakers with timely information about today’s rapidly changing economic and legal environment, about how best to create and preserve quality jobs, and about how to strengthen workers’ rights.’
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