Brianne Pfannenstiel

bpfannenst@dmreg.com

The Iowa House settled in for what appeared to be lengthy debate late Tuesday evening over a bill altering collective bargaining rights for teachers.

Rep. Ross Paustian, R-Walcott, apparently passing the time, cracked open a copy of "Sex After Sixty" while House Democrats presented amendments to the bill.

Paustian said the book has made its way around the House today and was handed to him by fellow Rep. Robert Bacon, R-Slater.

"We could all use a laugh around here," he said.

The book is gag gift, and the pages are blank, according to a quick Google search.

Up for discussion is a bill that would change the collective bargaining process for public school teachers. Under current law, an arbitrator can choose one party or the other's proposal in an impasse. This bill allows an arbitrator to choose something in between.

Representatives recessed at about 10 p.m. and said they would resume debate Wednesday morning.