Democratic state legislators visiting Decorah say Republicans are out of touch

Iowa House of Representatives Democratic Party Leader Mark Smith from Marshalltown speaks to a Decorah audience

Iowa House of Representatives Democratic Party Leader Mark Smith from Marshalltown and State Representative Abby Finkenauer from Dubuque
spoke to a crowd of around 80 people at the Decorah Public Library Saturday afternoon, criticizing their Republican counterparts for changing Iowa's collective bargaining laws, reducing funding to public schools and "giving Iowa a bad name."

Smith was especially critical of Republican legislators for measures they have passed this session, including a small increase in funding to local school districts and the rewriting of the state's collective bargaining laws.

"It's an all-out assault to destroy public education," Smith told the audience.

Finkenauer agreed, saying she's worried about Governor Terry Branstad's announcement on Friday that the state budget must be cut by another $11.5 million.  "There is no more room (for cuts)," she said.

Smith said Republicans campaigned on other issues during the fall, but are acting on a far-right agenda now that the legislative session has begun.  "They're out of touch (with Iowans)," added Finkenauer.