Lawmakers close books on 109-day session

DES MOINES - The 85th General Assembly wrapped up its legislative work Thursday morning capping off a session that lived up to the modest expectations set out in January.

Absent were the sweeping efforts that characterized the first half of the two-year session when education reform and tax policy took center stage.

Instead, Gov. Terry Branstad set out a limited vision for this election-year session, asking the politically split General Assembly to expand broadband service, pass anti-bullying legislation, create a redevelopment incentive for abandoned public buildings and pass tax credits for veterans.

The General Assembly gave him 2-out-of-4.

'I think we did a little more work than we expected coming in,” said State Rep. Bobby Kaufmann, R-Wilton. '...

When you have one party in control in one chamber and another party in the other chamber, it's going to take longer to get some things done.”

Chris Larimer, University of Northern Iowa political science professor, noted the state is relatively sound fiscal shape with a nearly $1 billion budget surplus.

'Sometimes there's more debate when you have a surplus then when you don't have enough,” he said.

The House adjourned Thursday morning. The Iowa Senate is due back Friday to vote on one resolution then adjourn for the year.