Capitol Digest 2-26-2010

A roundup of legislative and Statehouse items of interest for Friday, Feb. 26:

DEBATE CHALLENGE: Sioux City business consultant Bob Vander Plaats is challenging the two other candidates for the Iowa Republican Party's 2010 gubernatorial nomination – former Gov. Terry Branstad of Boone and state Rep. Rod Roberts of Carroll -- to a series of debates before the June 8 primary. Vander Plaats said Iowa Republicans deserve to see how their gubernatorial candidates compare face-to-face on the issues that will shape the state's future. “As candidates, we have a responsibility to let GOP voters size us up side-by-side to see for themselves who has the energy, the new ideas and the focus on the future to lead us forward,” said Vander Plaats in proposing debates in Davenport, Des Moines, Sioux City and another city agreed upon by the candidates.

WALDING NEWSLETTER: Lynn Walding, the lame-duck administrator at the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division, said Friday that Gov. Chet Culver's decision not to reappoint him to the post for another four-year term means he soon will have to embrace change. “My career will veer in another direction on May 1,” Walding wrote in a personal note at the beginning of his weekly newsletter. “This week has certainly beenvery interesting and, as I described it to my wife, ‘it's a little like attending your own funeral – only upright.'” Culver announced this week he has selected deputy state treasurer Stephen Larson of Johnston to replace Walding as ABD administrator effective May 1 – pending Senate confirmation. Walding has held the post since being appointed by former Gov. Tom Vilsack in February 2000. 

REMEMBERING 2010 SESSION: The Democratic and Republican leaders of the Iowa House have divergent views on what Iowans will remember most about the 2010 legislative session. With at least a month still to go before adjournment, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, and House GOP Leader Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha were asked to weigh in on the significance of the current session during Friday's taping of Iowa Public Television's “Iowa Press” show. McCarthy said it would be that lawmakers balanced a challenging state budget without raising taxes or cutting essential services while passing the largest cost-saving efficiency measure ever. He predicted the state government reorganization bill would result in $128 million in savings – with up to $80 million in the general fund – and overall would reduce spending by $270 million. Paulsen said Iowans will be reminded this fall and again next spring when they get their property tax bills that lawmakers shifted education and other state program costs to property taxpayers.

TAXPAYERS' DAY LINEUP: Iowans for Tax Relief on Friday announced the line up for the Muscatine-based group's 2010 Iowa Taxpayers' Day on April 17 in Des Moines. Minnesota Tim Pawlenty, mentioned as a possible 2012 GOP presidential contender, will be the keynote speaker at the event from 3-5 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Hotel and Suites Northwest. Also appearing at the event will be Iowa gubernatorial candidates Terry Branstad, Jonathan Narcisse, Rod Roberts and Bob Vander Plaats. Gov. Chet Culver was invited, but declined to respond by the set confirmation deadline, according to Ed Failor Jr. president of the 54,900-member group. Additional details about the event can be found at the www.taxrelief.org Web site.

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “There's a lot of energy among Republicans right now; there's a lot of energy among conservatives. I would guess that unless something dramatic changes on Nov. 2 of this year, the most dangerous place in America is going to be if you are between a Republican and a polling station.” House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen of Hiawatha discussing the 2010 election outlook.