Cutting legislative session would hurt transparency

Any journalist who has covered local government has likely seen a city council or county board work through a long agenda in a very short meeting.

It’s not efficiency. The meeting is short because council actions were worked out in advance, behind closed doors. The meeting becomes an afterthought, with lots of voting but precious little discussion.

That’s the scenario we think about in evaluating a legislative proposal that would cut the number of days lawmakers receive daily expense payments in half. Lawmakers can continue meeting after those payments run out. But the end of the money usually creates urgency to end the session.

Under the bill, a 100-day session would provide payments for only 50 days.

Lawmakers spending less time in Des Moines, where they think up all sorts of great ideas, may sound great. Half as much damage, you might be thinking.

But it’s more likely the Legislature will be more like those city councils with short meetings. Much of the legislation will be worked out in advance, behind the scenes. There will be fewer public-facing parts of the legislative process, including subcommittees, standing committees and floor action.

This is not good news for Iowans who want to petition their lawmakers for redress of their grievances. Shortening the session likely will mean less public input, which is already stymied by the current process. Lawmakers barreling toward adjournment may not hear the voices of Iowans over the bedlam.

Another idea being considered by most Republicans would hold state funding at the status quo if lawmakers fail to pass a budget by the start of the next fiscal year on July 1.

So, if one party controlling a chamber opposes spending increases proposed by the other, lawmakers could cancel those plans by refusing a budget compromise.

Backers of the bill argue it would eliminate the threat of a state government shutdown. Although lawmakers came within hours of a shutdown in 2011, it has never happened. So, it’s a bill we don’t need cluttering the Code of Iowa.

Lawmakers pushing these bills are members of the majority party, which controls both the House and the Senate. Republicans already have the power to shorten the session.

Ultimately, if they want to cut the length and costs, they could try focusing on a few big issues that are a high priority for all Iowans and jettison all the divisive, culture-war side trips the GOP can’t seem to quit.

(319) 398-8262; editorial@thegazette.com