McGee should not silence state workers
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What does the state agency do?
The Iowa Department of Human Rights doesn't just house offices to work on behalf of underrepresented people. It also has other responsibilities, largely funded by federal dollars. In 2010, the agency's expenditures included $69 million for LIHEAP, a program to help low-income Iowans pay heating bills. It administers $21.6 million in weatherization money. Smaller grants funded everything from family drug court to helping homeless youth in rural communities to juvenile justice.
When Iowans elected Gov. Terry Branstad, they didn't just get a new governor. They also got scores of new state agency directors. The Iowa Senate should confirm Branstad's appointees unless there is a particularly egregious problem with an appointee.
But first the senators have a responsibility to find out if there are such problems.
That responsibility appears to be particularly important with Isaiah McGee, who was appointed by Branstad to direct the Iowa Department of Human Rights. He has gained attention for allegedly muzzling workers in his agency. The Senate should get to the bottom of these allegations during public questioning before a confirmation vote.
But first the senators have a responsibility to find out if there are such problems.
That responsibility appears to be particularly important with Isaiah McGee, who was appointed by Branstad to direct the Iowa Department of Human Rights. He has gained attention for allegedly muzzling workers in his agency. The Senate should get to the bottom of these allegations during public questioning before a confirmation vote.
McGee wants state employees to leave the job of lobbying to volunteer commissioners who work on behalf of people served by offices, such as the Division of Latino Affairs. He has instructed state staff not to speak with lawmakers or media and avoid participating in advocacy and doing work for commissioners. Then the agency would speak with one voice: His.
Yet this particular agency has a history of representing many voices. Its mission is "to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering under-represented Iowans and eliminating economic, social and cultural barriers." These citizen commissions advocate for people who can't necessarily advocate for themselves. The law directs those commissions to serve as liaisons between the department and the public, while also recommending legislative action.
Yet this particular agency has a history of representing many voices. Its mission is "to ensure basic rights, freedoms, and opportunities for all by empowering under-represented Iowans and eliminating economic, social and cultural barriers." These citizen commissions advocate for people who can't necessarily advocate for themselves. The law directs those commissions to serve as liaisons between the department and the public, while also recommending legislative action.
That means members of the commission obviously need to work with staff, particularly to gain access to information and research. Phyllis Peters, a volunteer commissioner serving the Iowa Commission on the Status of Women, said there needs to be communication. Imagine we were talking about the Board of Regents, she said. "What if they were told state staff couldn't talk to them?" she asked.
It's hard to know exactly what is going on between McGee and volunteer commissioners. There seems to be some tension between him and Iowa Commission on the Status of Women. During a February board meeting of ICSW, McGee said the commission has a problem with his management style. Peters said the commission isn't getting the support it wants from the department on policy issues.
It's hard to know exactly what is going on between McGee and volunteer commissioners. There seems to be some tension between him and Iowa Commission on the Status of Women. During a February board meeting of ICSW, McGee said the commission has a problem with his management style. Peters said the commission isn't getting the support it wants from the department on policy issues.
What also may be happening is a top-down attempt to get all agency directors - and agencies - on the same political page: the governor's. Staff publicly advocating for specific policies could result in their being at odds with the governor. Silencing public workers may be an attempt to control the message on certain issues.
That, of course, defies the very transparency and accessibility in government Branstad has said he supports. And it's wrong for any agency director to tell public employees they can't talk to the public.
That, of course, defies the very transparency and accessibility in government Branstad has said he supports. And it's wrong for any agency director to tell public employees they can't talk to the public.
McGee picked a battle with the wrong people - those who are used to fighting for their rights and fighting to be heard. They're not going to sit by while McGee silences his staff. Senators should question McGee about what he's trying to accomplish - and how what he's doing serves Iowans.
