State lawmakers hope to finish 2010 work this week

DES MOINES – Efforts to shut down the 2010 session this week could prove to be of historic proportions.

Today marks the 71

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calendar day of the 83

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General Assembly's election-year session with Democratic leaders predicting final adjournment could come by Thursday, Friday or maybe Saturday.

The last time lawmakers wrapped up their session's work in 75 days was in 1972. Before that, the 19

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General Assembly spanned 68 days in 1882 and the 17

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General Assembly took 72 days to complete its work in 1878.

Lawmakers agreed to shorten the 2010 session by 20 days as a cost-saving measure given the state's tight budget situation. Opinions vary whether the 80-day target was a good idea to continue in the future or it would be better to return to the traditional format after the 84

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General Assembly is elected this November of a 110-day session in 2011 and a 100-day session in 2012.

“I think this is an aberration,” said Brice Oakley, a former legislator and legal counsel for ex-Gov. Robert Ray who now works as a multi-client lobbyist. “I would expect that they will go back to a more-normal schedule, although next year fiscally will not be a picnic either.”

However, Senate President Jack Kibbie, D-Emmetsburg, said this year might serve as an example that sessions can be shortened. “I've heard other legislators comment -- why can't we do this every year? – so I'm sure we're going to look at that.”

At the same time, Kibbie noted that post-election sessions are different in that there's a learning curve for new members that requires more time for deliberation. Next year also will be require lawmakers to reapportion legislative and congressional districts based upon 2010 census data – a process that also is complicated and time consuming.

“It would be tough to do next year, that's for sure,” he said.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said this year's shortened format was adopted out of necessity due to limited resources and there were elements of the compressed time frame that were useful. It also required lawmakers to narrow the focus more than they normally do and some good issues had to be left behind in the process.

Overall, he said the shortened session probably was more of an aberration than a model.

“I think it's going to work well for our purposes this year, but I don't think that necessarily portends that it will be a model for every session from here on out,” Gronstal noted.

Marty Ryan, a lobbyist working his 18

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session, said the stepped-up pace was a mixed bag with many issues on a fast track that did not provide enough time for analysis, which could result in legal challenges to statutes that were hurriedly composed.

“There's not enough time to really look at some legislation and it's too much time for idle hands,” he said.

Oakley said he believed it would be easier for lawmakers to “let go” of issues and adjourn given that this year was marked by a tough winter, new threats of potential flooding, a tough state budget, and considerable unrest among voters given the economic doldrums and an anti-incumbent mood.

“I think they really are anxious to get out there and get out of here, which isn't much fun right now,” he said.

Senate GOP Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton said even with a compressed session that lawmakers had plenty of time to discuss issues of concern to Iowans but chose not to do so.

“I have no problem with 80 days. It's a matter of what you do in those 80 days,” he said. “I would characterize this session as being one of lost opportunities.”

McKinley said the jury is still out on the 2010 session until the work product is completed. But he expected it would be a good-news, bad-news scenario for Iowans.

“Many will sleep easier at night knowing the Legislature is not in session stripping away more liberties and freedoms or voting for more tax increases and bigger government,” McKinley said in his weekly newsletter. “But for those who are in dire need of tangible results in the areas of spending reform, job creation and property tax relief, they will again be left with the sour taste of disappointment.”

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, said lawmakers are on track to finish the session this week by balancing the fiscal 2011 budget while funding priorities. Lawmakers are scheduled to get the last budget pieces – the infrastructure and standing appropriations – early this week and finish work on legislation to ban the distraction of text messaging while driving and ban cell phone use altogether by young drivers.

The Legislature's Oversight Committee also is expected to continue its probe of financial dealings, salary levels and other allegations brought against the Iowa Association of School Boards and its executives.

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rod.boshart@gazcomm.com