The majority party at the Statehouse in Des Moines has again introduced labor legislation to be debated, and that has one local lawmaker concerned about the message that state legislators are sending Iowans.

“I think that the majority party should seriously consider what we’re trying to do here. Are we trying to create jobs or are we trying to drive jobs out of the state,” said State Representative Jim Van Engelenhoven of Pella.

“They make the comment that some of our neighboring states have these pieces of legislation, and to a certain degree that is correct, although they are different than the bills that are being proposed now.”

Van Engelenhoven says even with changes in the wording of the proposed labor legislation from previous drafts, he’s still not convinced that it is the right move for the state at this time. The proposed bills would include changes to federal deductibility and the so-called “fair share” and “right to work” laws.

Jim Van Engelenhoven represents District 71 in the Iowa House, which covers the majority of Marion County and the Monroe area.