Republican Re-Open Iowa for Business tour stops in Oskaloosa

From left to right, Rep. Dawn Pettengill, Sen. Merlin Bartz, Brenna Findley from the Governors Office and Sen. Paul McKinley

Interpower of Oskaloosa played host to a packed meeting room full of residents from East and Southeast Iowa Saturday afternoon.

Re-Open Iowa for Business is being hosted by Iowa Republican’s from both the Iowa Senate and the Iowa House as well as the Governors Office. The events are open to the public and the media and are focusing on “Rules and Regulations.”

In a statement sent out by the Governors office it says, “For the past several years, employers – both small and large, entrepreneurs, farmers, city administrators and others have increasingly become subjected to overly burdensome rules and regulations that have been promulgated by government agencies. The ten city tour aims to collect specific input from Iowans across the state about the onerous rules and regulatory climate that is hurting job creation and keeping employers from locating or expanding in Iowa.”

“Government should not be punishing the very people we need to grow this state and create jobs,” said Senator Merlin Bartz (R-Grafton), Senate Republican member on the Administrative Rules Review Committee. “We need to have reasonable and responsible levels of rules and regulations that protect the public interest without placing an undue burden on our job creators, cities and taxpayers.”

“Iowans sent a strong message this last November that they want their elected officials to listen and get serious about job creation,” said Representative Dawn Pettengill (R-Mount Auburn), House Republican member of the Administrative Rules Review Committee.  “House Republicans have been working to get government out of the way so employers can start expanding and hiring again.”

CCI of Iowa flier for Oskaloosa meeting

The local stop on this tour took place at 4:00 pm in a conference room at Interpower, which is located on the North side of Oskaloosa.

Those on hand were Republican’s Senator Merlin Bartz (R) of Iowa Senate District 6, Senator Paul McKinley (R) of Iowa Senate District 36, and Representative Dawn Pettengill (R) of Iowa House District 39. Also on hand, but not part of the official forum, were Senator Tom Rielly (D) of Iowa Senate District 38, Representative Betty De Boef (R) of Iowa House District 76, and Senator Brad Zaun of Iowa Senate District 32. Representative Guy Vander Linden of Iowa House District 75 was unable to attend due to illness.

Representing Governor Branstad was Brenna Findley, Legal Counsel to Governor Branstad, as he had a schedule conflict for that session.

After the introductions, and familiarization with the rules for the meeting, those that had signed up to ask a question of the panel were allowed to do so in the order they had signed up. Senator Bartz said, “The purpose of the meeting is not for deregulating, but to find rules that make it difficult for Iowa businesses to operate.”

Several different political action groups were on hand to have their voices heard. National People’s Action and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement, which itself, had sent fliers out asking for people to RSVP and join them in “CRASHING” the meeting that day.

The first person for the afternoon was Barry Versteegh. Versteegh, of Versteegh Electric And Refrigeration in Cedar, expressed concerns about expanded licensing for plumbers and electricians such as himself.

Barry Versteegh speaks to the panel assembled on what he thinks is overbearing rules and regulations on business in Iowa

He stated that in small towns, such as Cedar, it is nearly impossible to keep up with licensing and trying to be specialized. He said he’s being forced to have all the different licenses and he is spending more time in class than being able to work. He said his electrical license is $750, his mechanical licensing is $1000. In addition to having a Workforce Development contractors license, a contractors license with electrical, now mechanical is also wanting him to buy a contractors license.

Versteegh said that keeping up with all the licensing is like a full time job, and you never get to work. He mentioned that he feels his tax on being able to do business is excessive, and every agency is asking more for their individual licenses.

“It’s just frustrating for the amount of money I have to pay to stay in business and we’re getting nothing back.” Versteegh said.

When asked about his licenses by Rep. Pettengill, Versteegh explained to her that he has 5 different licenses now.

I will continue the question and comment portion of the meeting in an upcoming article.

If you have any questions or comments, email them to info@oskynews.org