By a narrow margin, the Iowa House rejected what some called an anti-unionprovision in a campaign finance bill. The Senate had voted to force unionsand business groups to get written permission each year for using a portionof dues for political purposes. Representative Rick Larkin, a democrat fromFort Madison, said that was an “open attack” on unions.The House voted 51 to 49 to strip that proposal from the bill. Larkin saidit would just create more paperwork for unions and business associations,like the Farm Bureau.Republicans like Gary Blodgett of Clear Lake said the yearly permission slipshouldn’t be that great a burden.Representative Steve Sukup, a republican from Dougherty, said it made senseto require an annual permission slip for union dues.The bill also seeks to close a loophole created by a judge, allowingcorporations to donate to Iowa politicians. Governor Vilsack had threatenedto veto the bill if it contained the anti-union provision. The bill facesan uncertain future in the Senate.
