Hundreds showed up for public hearings Monday on the controversial voter ID and minimum wage bills. The first hearing was a 1/2-hour discussion of a House bill that prohibits local governments from enacting their own minimum wage. If it becomes law, the bill would override all local minimum wage ordinances. More than 30 people spoke at the hearing, with more than half of them saying they're opposed to the bill. Several Iowans said they work 60 hours a week and cannot afford to feed their family on $7.25 an hour. Some went as far as to call Republican lawmakers "bullies" for trying to strip employment control from local governments. “I am seeing bullying at this Legislature today,” said John Nobel, who opposed the minimum wage bill. “I see bullying in the form of House File 295 that seeks to strip local control from the people who know what's best from their communities (and) see bullying in a Legislature that treats workers like dirt.” Those in favor of the bill said they run businesses and, without a universal minimum wage law, it is like running a business in the Wild West. “Right, now it's like the Wild West,” said Mike Holms, who supports the bill. “Every one of Iowa's 99 counties can set their own wage standards and, in that county, every city can set its own wage standard as well. Trying to grow a business is nearly impossible with the level of uncertainty.” Another huge issue addressed Monday was Secretary of State Paul Pate’s bill that would require Iowans to show a state-issued voter ID at the polls. Those opposed to the bill said it hurts minorities because many do not have a valid photo ID, a condition that is not illegal. They fear it will disenfranchise certain groups and say the bill is expensive to implement and completely unnecessary. “Voter fraud is very rare and it's so rare, as a matter of fact, you are more likely to be struck and killed by lightning than to commit voter fraud,” said Betty Andrews, who opposes the bill. “And I would ask that we be more concerned with things like internal concerns, like the 5,000 votes in Adel that were not counted.” The secretary of state’s office said the bill will cost $200,000 and will benefit Iowans by proactively securing their voting rights. Pate said if someone cannot afford a state-issued ID, he will give that person one for free. “I want every eligible Iowan to vote and I will continue to strive toward Iowa being No. 1 in the nation in voter participation,” Pate said. “Nothing in this legislation will prevent any eligible Iowan from voting.” No action was taken at either public hearing. There is no word on if and when the House floor could vote on these two bills.