Capitol Digest, 3-4-2010

A roundup of legislative and Statehouse items of interest for Thursday, March 4:

REFUND DELAY: State Department of Revenue officials would have an extra 30 days to process state income tax refunds before they would have to pay interest on the money under a bill that cleared the Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday. A provision of Senate Study Bill 3234 would give state tax officials 62 days to turn around a tax refund – up from the current 32-day window. The proposed change would save the state about $300,000 yet this fiscal year and about $1 million in fiscal years 2011 and 2012. Sen. Randy Feenstra, R-Hull, one of five Republicans to oppose the bill, called it “poor government” to hold onto taxpayers' money for an extra 30 days to help the state's cash-flow situation.

DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS REAPPOINTED: Gov. Chet Culver notified the Iowa Senate on Thursday that he was reappointing three department directors to new terms effective May 1. Included in the list were Nancy Richardson, the director of the state Department of Transportation; Mark Schuling as head of the state Department of Revenue; and Patrick Palmersheim, who guides the state Department of Veterans Affairs. The three reappointments are subject to confirmation by a two-thirds majority of the 50-member Iowa Senate. Senators are required to take action on all gubernatorial appointees no later than April 15.

WEARING OF THE GREEN: The State Historical Museum will celebrate St. Patrick's Day this month with an Irish festival featuring food, music, dancing, art and workshops. The third annual “St. Patrick's Day Festival: Irish Fest” will be March 17 from 1-4 p.m. at the State Historical Building, 600 E. Locust Street, in Des Moines. The event is free and open to the public. The event will include a special Irish-themed lunch menu of corned beef and cabbage, drummery rice, vegetables, Irish stew and Reuben wraps along with green beer. The museum also will present a 37-star U.S. national flag – the Irish Harp flag – for viewing, organizers say.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I will be delivering these (Dutch letters) to the speaker, but I won't be delivering the kiss.” – Rep. Ray Zirkelbach, D-Monticello, who was sitting in the House presiding officer's chair Thursday when he received gifts and a kiss from the Pella Tulip queen on behalf of House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque.