William Petroski

bpetrosk@dmreg.com

Gov. Terry Branstad is being criticized by Democrats after a conservative lobbyist attended the signing of the controversial collective bargaining bill.

Democrats argued Monday that the presence of Drew Klein, state director of Americans for Prosperity and a strong supporter of House File 291, shows that backroom deals by Republican-aligned lobby groups are prevailing in state government decision-making at the expense of the public.

"This is another example of the governor refusing to be clear and transparent with Iowans," said Sen. Liz Mathis, D-Cedar Rapids.

"This speaks volumes as to who is pulling the strings behind this law," said Danny Homan, president of the AFSCME Council 61 public employees union.

Americans for Prosperity is an advocacy group that receives money from businessmen and philanthropist brothers David H. Koch and Charles Koch, whose family controls Koch Industries, the second-largest privately held company in the nation. The Koch brothers have contributed significantly to Republican candidates nationally and have poured millions of dollars into advancing their political agenda, which promotes free-market views.

The Des Moines Register asked Branstad's staff on Thursday if there would be a public bill signing ceremony for the controversial legislation, which dismantles a 43-year-old public bargaining law signed by former Republican Gov. Robert Ray. The governor's office said there were no plans for a bill ceremony, which would typically be open to the Iowa Capitol press corps.

Branstad signed the bill Friday behind closed doors in his formal office, but afterward Klein sent a tweet which read, "Was honored to witness Governor Branstad sign this historic bill into law." The tweet was accompanied by a photo of Branstad with Klein. Branstad's aides sent out a press release Friday to Iowa news organizations acknowledging that the governor had approved the collective bargaining bill. The governor's office also provided a photo of Branstad at his desk, but no one else was shown in the picture.

Branstad was asked by reporters Monday about Klein's attendance when the collective bargaining bill was signed. The governor said he had "quite a few people that had made a specific request" to witness the event and he wanted to accommodate them.

Asked if he would provide a list of the people who watched him sign the bill, Branstad said, "It wasn’t a formal bill signing. I actually just signed the bill, I signed it with a number of pens to give to legislators who wanted the pens that were used in the bill signing, and there were a few other people who had asked to be there."

Pressed for the names of other lobbyists who attended the bill signing, Branstad said, “Oh, I don’t know. There may have been just a few. I don’t know who is a lobbyist to tell you the truth.” He added that most of those at the event were staff.

Branstad also said he had nothing to do with Klein's presence, adding, "I really don't even know him. So it is not that big a deal as far as I am concerned."

Related: Union sues over Iowa's new collective bargaining law | Regents to restart bargaining with United Faculty, other unions

But several Democratic lawmakers said Monday they smelled something suspicious about Klein's presence, especially since Klein had often been seen in legislative galleries last week as lawmakers debated the collective bargaining bill. He also spoke in favor of the legislation at a public hearing last week. Under the legislation, most public-sector union contract negotiations will be limited only to base wages. Most unions will be banned from negotiating with their employers over issues such as health insurance, evaluation procedures, staff reduction and leaves of absence for political purposes.

"I think what it says is that the Koch brothers have taken over this state with the millions of dollars that they have poured into this state," said Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City. "Obviously, this bill was a big priority of theirs, and it shows that big money has taken over state government. Iowans should be very concerned about this."

Klein defended his attendance Monday, telling The Des Moines Register he had made a request early in the legislative process to be present at Branstad's bill signing for what his organization sees as a truly historic reform for the state.

"I don’t know how the governor’s office made final decisions on who was or wasn’t invited, but as someone that stood by the Legislature throughout the process and championed these reforms, I don’t understand why it would be abnormal for me to also stand next to the governor in support of his signing," Klein said.

"As for the 'dark money' question, I see it as a distraction from the substantive policy issue," Klein continued. "Furthermore, we don’t have a PAC (Political Action Committee) and have never made either direct or in-kind contributions to candidates here in Iowa. Our efforts have always been focused on promoting good policies and holding politicians accountable for their stance on those issues. The Legislature took up the bold proposals because they knew the current system wasn’t working for the state and their local leaders back home needed better tools to manage their budgets and the flexibility to innovate. The old system was rigged in favor of the unions and the games that they played around the state during every new contract negotiation."

Mathis said on the Senate floor Monday night she finds it hard to believe Branstad doesnt know Klein, noting the lobbyist is often quoted in news articles that also quote Branstad on topics ranging from the minimum wage to public employees' pensions to the gasoline tax. She said she finds it interesting that Americans for Prosperity's agenda often parallels bills being introduced by Republicans in the Iowa Legislature.

However, Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, said flatly Monday night that he did not meet with Klein, nor speak with Klein, about the collective bargaining bill. Sen. Jason Schultz, R-Shleswig, the bill's floor manager, told The Des Moines Register he also had never discussed the bill with Klein.

Branstad defended his support for the collective bargaining bill, saying he understands that opponents of the changes aren't happy. He said Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, has led major changes in state government there, including revisions in collective bargaining, that are helping state taxpayers. In contrast, Illinois is controlled "lock, stock and barrel" by public employees' unions, he added, with state finances that are in terrible shape and a public employees' pension system that is one of the worst funded in the country

Branstad said Iowa's 1974 public employees' bargaining law was "archaic" and needed to be amended to be fair and balanced. In particular, Branstad said he was concerned about health care costs, noting that many state employees have only been paying $20 a month for their share of health insurance premiums while taxpayers are picking up thousands of dollars in costs for public employees and their families.

DATABASE: What non-union Executive Branch employees pay for health insurance​