Paulsen: No reason to talk about shutting down government

DES MOINES – House Republicans have no interest in shutting down state government, but Speaker Kraig Paulsen says June 30 is a false deadline for a budget agreement.

“To my knowledge, there is nothing that limits our options on that,” the Hiawatha Republican said when asked whether the Iowa Constitution allows the Legislature to pass a continuing resolution if House Republicans, the Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican Gov. Terry Branstad can't agree on a fiscal 2012 spending plan.

Many lawmakers and Statehouse watchers are speculating on the likelihood of a “Doomsday Scenario” with budget negotiations dragging on until the end of the current fiscal year, June 30.

Paulsen is planning on an earlier adjournment.

“I know that we're working toward finding a solution,” he said. “I still prefer a solution in a month that begins with the letter ‘M.'”

At the same time, Paulsen, who is in his first year as speaker after a two-year term as minority leader, admits that the stop-and-start schedule the House and Senate have been operating on is lengthening the session. The scheduled adjournment date was April 30.

“Oh, I think it probably lengthens the session because you don't get the internal pressure that is built up from the people just sitting here,” Paulsen said.

It has been a conscious decision of the House GOP leadership, he continued.

“In the past there was often been a strategy of wearing people out. That resulted in late-night sessions and bad decisions,” Paulsen said. “We chose a strategy of we did not wear people out. When there is work to do, we'll be here and when there's not, turn them loose.”

Overall, he said, “in the whole legislative process, there is some lethargy built into it. This has been a little bit more lethargic than the average session.”

Although the House is not in session today, leadership and Appropriations Committee members are present to continue negotiations. House Republicans have been meeting with the governor, but said no meetings were planned with Senate Democrats.

He is disappointed Democrats have been talking about a government shutdown.

“I think it would be better off talking about shutting down the session and getting Iowans' work done,” Paulsen said.

However, he added, “there's no question that if we're not here it's hard to pass a bill.”