AFL-CIO Political Portal

ChetCulver.com - Latest News
DES MOINES, IA - A top Iowa labor leader, flanked by Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chet Culver, on Monday accused congressional Republicans of “playing us for suckers’’
and urged state elected officials to trump federal inaction by raising Iowa’s minimum wage to $7.25 an hour.

Culver said he would sign a stand-alone hike in Iowa’s current $5.15 hourly minimum if elected governor on Nov.
7, while GOP gubernatorial opponent Jim Nussle gave qualified support to a minimum wage hike if accompanied by financial help for affected small businesses.

“There is no debate on this issue — increasing the minimum wage for Iowa’s working families is overdue and will help ensure that no one falls through the cracks,’’
Nussle said. “Hard-working Iowans who have played by the rules, but struggled to get ahead, deserve a fair wage so they can provide for their families.’’

However, Mark Smith, president of the Iowa Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, said Nussle and congressional Republicans have angered union members in Iowa by engaging in political subterfuge on the minimum wage issue by refusing to raise it while repeatedly increasing their own Washington salaries.

Last 5 posts in Governor Races

• MI-Gov Poll: DeVos (R) 48% , Granholm (D) 46% - Rasmussen (500 LV, MOE 4.5) - August 31st, 2006
• MI-Gov Poll: DeVos (R) 43% , Granholm (D) 48% - Strategic Vision (R) (1200 LV, MOE 3%) - August 27th, 2006
• CA-Gov Poll: Schwarzenegger (R) 52% , Angelides (D) 38% - SurveyUSA (525 LV, MOE +-4.4%) - August 27th, 2006
• AFT-CT Endorses DeStefano and Glassman - ctnewsjunkie.com - August 23rd, 2006
• Perdue has big lead, polls say | ajc.com - August 23rd, 2006

Last 5 posts in Iowa

• Culer & Nussle duking it out on the minimum wage - August 8th, 2006
• IA-Gov: Culver proposes more money for Iowa teachers, early education - August 7th, 2006
• IA-01: Braley, Obey Call for Minimum Wage Hike - August 2nd, 2006
• IA Governor Poll: Culver (D) 41% Nussle (R) 38% - Rasmussen Reports - July 27th, 2006
• Hawkeye Labor Council Endorses Culver - July 19th, 2006

Last 5 posts in Minimum Wage

• California to raise minimum wage to highest in US - August 22nd, 2006
• AFL-CIO Weblog | Ohio, Arizona Minimum Wage Increases Head for November Ballot - August 15th, 2006
• Culer & Nussle duking it out on the minimum wage - August 8th, 2006
• IA-01: Braley, Obey Call for Minimum Wage Hike - August 2nd, 2006
• MT: Minimum wage initiative qualifies for November ballot - July 12th, 2006