Governor, legislators — finish the job

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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It's beginning to look a lot like Congress at Iowa's Statehouse. And that's a problem.

A 2011 legislative session defined more by partisan point-scoring than significant accomplishments grinds on with no end in sight. Gridlock has taken over. Sharply divided top leaders - House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal and Gov. Terry Branstad - can't reach agreement on a state budget plan, and most rank-and-file lawmakers have left the golden dome for long breaks at home.

A sense of urgency has drained away. Posturing has replaced negotiating.

The governor has been telling reporters this week that he's the “new sheriff in town,” and that Democrats must heed his “mandate.” Democrats dramatically warn that the refusal of Branstad and House Republicans to compromise will lead to a scary state government shutdown, unless a deal is reached before July 1.

Both the sheriff and the harbingers of shutdown will make their cases in town hall meetings this week.

Actually, the real mandate handed down by voters last fall was a demand for bipartisan cooperation. That's why Republicans control Terrace Hill and the House while Democrats hold the Senate. Over the last three decades, Iowans have voted again and again for divided state government. We want both parties to pitch in and solve big problems. We want the parties to put the breaks on each others' excesses. We want friction to spark solutions, not warfare. This year is no different.

And yet, now we're getting a brand of broken-down politics.

It's time for all lawmakers to return to Des Moines and stay there until their work is completed. They need to put their time back into overtime. And their leaders must get serious about working out a budget deal.

Surely, compromises can be reached on outstanding issues, including education funding, property tax relief and economic development efforts. Branstad and Republicans want a two-year budget plan that spends just under $6 billion annually and includes significant property tax relief for businesses and a newly configured economic development agency. Democrats want a one-year budget to include a smaller property tax relief plan and more money for education.

These are the sort of traditional partisan differences that have been bridged in the past, even back when the new sheriff was the previous sheriff. Revenues are flowing in ahead of forecasts and the state will end the current budget year with a surplus and healthy reserves, so there is financial breathing room for compromises.

Drop the tin stars and worst-case scenarios. Set aside politics and finish the job.

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