Lawmakers' anger over collective bargaining bubbles over into heated exchanges

Frayed nerves and anger over last week's contentious collective bargaining debate had one lawmaker calling another a "son of a b----" at a legislative forum this weekend and another lawmaker being ruled out of order on the Senate floor Monday.

It's rare for Iowa legislators to use coarse language because of chamber rules and a tradition of proper decorum. But Democrat legislators have been outraged by the Iowa Legislature's passage of a bill last week that dismantled a four-decade-old law for public employees' collective bargaining and have contended that majority Republicans have used heavy-handed tactics to limit debate. Angry Iowa Democratic lawmakers have used profanity twice at public events in the past three days in response to comments and actions from Republican legislators.

At the Fairfield legislative forum Saturday, which was hosted by the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Sen. Rich Taylor, D-Mount Pleasant, accused Sen. Mark Chelgren, R-Ottumwa, of being a "f------ liar" and called him a "dumb son of a b----." They were arguing over Gov. Terry Branstad's decision last year to implement private management of Iowa's Medicaid program, and he said Chelgren misrepresented the views of Senate Democrats. As a result, Taylor said his harsh language was warranted.

“I am not ashamed of it and I am not apologizing," Taylor told The Des Moines Register on Monday.

"At some point, we have to start playing hardball, and that is hardball," Taylor added. "I am tired of trying to be polite and saying, 'Oh, Senator Chelgren, you made a mistake or you made an error.' I have been doing that for five years. That day is done. He just can't continue lying."

Chelgren said he was making the point during the legislative forum that Senate Democrats last year included more than $100 million in cost savings from Branstad's Medicaid management plan when they developed the state's budget.

"They spent the money in the process," Chelgren said. "So for them to say that there was no implicit support for this, I said that was inaccurate."

About 60 to 70 people were reportedly at the Fairfield legislative forum, which was held at the public library. Rep. Curt Hanson, D-Fairfield, who also participated in the event, said the discussion between Taylor and Chelgren was very heated.

"I was quite amazed at the tensions that came about. It was a large audience. Much of the audience was very disappointed in the emotions that were shown, I think," Hanson said.

Hanson said he didn't use foul language himself but he disagreed with Chelgren's comments, which he described as "alternative facts."

On Monday, anger again developed during a Senate floor session when Sen. Joe Bolkcom, D-Iowa City, stood and accused Republicans of disrespecting the people of Iowa by the process in which the collective bargaining bill was approved.

”I think they were drug through the mud and I think this chamber was drug through the mud in a bill that required a lot more work and a lot more consideration," Bolkcom said.

Bolkcom was then ruled out of order was Sen. Jerry Behn, R-Boone, was presiding over the chamber.

Bolkcom expressed disgust, saying, "This is bulls---."  Sen. Brad Zaun, R-Urbandale, immediately interrupted and objected to Bolkcom's language.

Bolkcom responded that he thought he was in order to speak, telling Republicans, "You guys are running the show and we are getting run over at every turn.” Senate Republicans didn't respond, but Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock, has said legislative rules were properly followed when the collective bargaining bill was approved last week.