MUSCATINE, Iowa — School funding issues, a helmet law for Iowa and Fair Share legislation were among the topics discussed during a legislative forum held Saturday morning at Muscatine’s City Hall.

Rep. Nathan Reichert, D-Muscatine, and Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, spoke with about 10 people in the audience.

The forum was organized by the Muscatine Education Association and the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Council 61, a union representing public employees.

“This is an opportunity for legislators to talk after the session that just took place,” said Randy Naber of the Muscatine Education Association.

An invitation via phone message to participate in the forum was also left for Rep. Tom Sands, R-Columbus Junction and Sen. Jim Hahn, R-Muscatine, Naber said, but they did not reply.

Fair share

Many topics were covered and among them was the issue of Iowa as a Right to Work state. A Right to Work law secures the right of employees to decide for themselves whether or not to join or financially support a union.

“I don’t think it’s working. I think it’s time to try something different,” Courtney said of the law. He said he agreed with a description of the law that others have used, that right-to-work means “the right to work for less.”

Reichert agreed, saying that “Iowa is the top state in the nation with both parents working because wages are so low.”

Both said they are in favor of Fair Share legislation, which never came up in the last session but that would allow unions to charge union dues and fees to non-union employees if they’re covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

Environment

Don Paulson  of the Muscatine County Democrats asked what the two legislators had done to improve the environment in the last session.

Reichert said he received the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the Muscatine Izaak Walton League for his dedication to environmental issues and conservation. He said one of the important things Democrats were proud of was their work on limiting surface manure application on frozen farm ground. Reichert said the practice had to be limited because the manure can easily run off into watersheds if rain or more snowfall occurs before it can settle into the ground.

Also, Courtney said that the budget was too tight this year to create a state-wide air quality plan but that he and Reichert will be pushing attainment issues next session.

Helmet law

Gerald Reese of Wilton told the legislators he was concerned for children who ride as passengers on motorcycles and would like to see stricter laws at the state level because there are no safety restraints on motorcycles. He also said that he would like to see a state-wide helmet law.

“That’s a really strong law. I don’t know where that would go,” Courtney said of trying to enact a helmet law.

Reese also complained that people on motorcycles ride through Wilton at high speeds and that their motorcycles are too loud.

Reichert said most people who ride motorcycles make a strong case for proper safety.

“I think we need to educate all automobile operators on looking for motorcycles and safer driving skills in general,” Reichert added.

“I don’t like to hear the argument that loud (pipes) save lives or motorists should be cautious of motorcycles as if it is the responsibility of other drivers,” Reese said.

“We are all responsible for the safety of all drivers,” Reichert replied.

Education

Randy Naber asked the legislators which parts of funding for education they were most satisfied with and what they were disappointed with.

“I think it’s been a positive overall that we invested more money this year than last year … because of federal stimulus money,” Reichert said. “We also mitigated some of the cuts to empowerment so they were not as harsh.”

Reichert said he was disappointed that legislators did not fully fund early childhood development as planned. The programs were supposed to get a $15 million increase but received only an $11.5 million increase.

Courtney said he sees it as a positive that teachers’ pay was raised over the past few years.

He does have some concerns, though.

“I can’t get people to understand that we need more preschools and less prisons,” Courtney said. “In my party, that is the last place we want to cut (preschools). Others start  [cutting] there.”