A bill that would make records about state employee firings open to the public and make Governor Branstad’s executive order barring confidential settlements with state workers part of state law has passed the Republican-led Iowa House. Democrats opposed the move.
Representative Cindy Winckler, a Democrat from Davenport, accused Republicans of “jumping the gun” before the legislature’s investigation of alleged “hush money” deals with laid off state workers is complete.
“Transparency should be addressing the true issues instead of trying to change the subject,” Winckler said.
Representative Kevin Koester, a Republican from Ankeny, responded, saying the bill will help get the answers legislators are seeking.
“If you want to know who participated, when, who knew what when and to what they agreed and for what amount — there is only one way,” Koester said.
The bill faces an uncertain future in the Democratically-led state Senate.