Unfinished business creates full agenda for 2012 Iowa Legislature

DES MOINES – For all of its accomplishments, the Iowa Legislature's list of unfinished business is long and provides plenty of fodder for the 2012 session.

Property tax relief may top that list because it's on the agenda's of Democrats and Republicans as well as Gov. Terry Branstad. However, there's no shortage of social issues – putting same-sex marriage on the ballot, for example, or impeaching justices who voted to strike down the ban on same-sex marriages, legislation to create a climate more conducive to business development and job creation and government efficiency issues to keep lawmakers busy in the next session.

The lack of agreement on property tax relief is Branstad's biggest disappointment.

“That's going to continue to be an impediment as we work to attract businesses and jobs,” he said June 30. “I'm hopeful that we can get that done in the future. I'm going to continue to work and advocate for that and educate people about how important it is.”

He blamed the lack of action on “those who are going to benefit from the windfall of higher property taxes.

“It's not fair to the taxpayers of Iowa to be saddled with higher property taxes when the state is in the position to do something about it,” the governor said.

Like Branstad, legislative leaders agree commercial property tax relief has to be a priority come January.

“I am disappointed that once again, the Legislature has failed to provide any real property tax reform for Iowans,” said House Majority Leader Linda Upmeyer, R-Garner. “With over 100,000 Iowans out of work, now was not the time to be timid. Property tax reform should benefit all property taxpayers.”

“It's my first goal for next session to do something substantive and real on property taxes,” Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said.

House Speaker House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, signaled his 2012 agenda in delivering his closing remarks of the 172-day 2011 session – the third longest in Iowa history.

“The House passed legislation to provide schools with flexibility to better educate our children and grandchildren, to give Iowans a voice in making their healthcare decisions and to protect life,” he said. “Regrettably, these issues and many others did not receive a fair hearing in the Iowa Senate. Regardless, we will reconvene next year to work on these issues and others important to Iowans.”

So while property tax relief will be back on the agenda, other issues – forcing the University of Iowa sell its $140-million Jackson Pollock painting - probably won't get a second look.

While the same political and philosophical differences that had lawmakers at loggerheads much of the 2011 session will remain next year, there's agreement the 2012 session will be substantially different in one way: It will be shorter.

Legislators are prevented from fundraising during session, so they will be eager to wrap up their business and get out on the campaign trail. The fact legislative boundaries were redrawn this year and many lawmakers will be running in districts significantly different than their current districts.

“Some of our members will be up for re-election for the first time and they will be in districts that have changed a lot,” Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, said. “They'll want to get out of here to campaign.”

The agenda will likely include some “new” issues that lawmakers have dealt withy in recent years. Legislators expect western Iowa communities will be seeking the same sort of disaster relief the Legislature provided when Eastern Iowa flooded in 2008. With Democrats in control in 2009, the state bonded to support rebuilding infrastructure damaged by the flood.

“It will be interesting to see whether those Republicans who refused to vote for bonding will have a change of heart,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, D-Des Moines, said. “Will the dreaded ‘B-word' be back?”

“Highly unlikely,” said Sen. Bill Dix, R-Shell Rock. “I don't think voters want the state to take on new debt.”

Courtney expects Democrats, who hold the majority in the Senate, will push for many of the same issues as in 2011, such as job creation, maybe harder on health care.

Likewise, Dix thinks Republicans' agenda will be more of the 2011 agenda.

“I have a lot of faith in the voters,” he said. “I think when senators go back to their districts they'll find that the issues of concern to voters – government spending, taxes and career opportunities – all of those things still need a lot of attention.”

Gronstal agreed that helping small businesses and their employees will be on Democrats' agenda.”

“Next year, I hope we will quickly agree that Iowa should continue to be a national leader when it comes to education,” Gronstal said. “I hope we can then complete the work the Senate started this year: growing Iowa's small business and creating more jobs for Iowans.”

Courtney doesn't think there will be as much fervor addressing the social issues as there was this year.

“It's not the same issue it was in the last election,” he said.

Rep. Tom Shaw, R-Laurens, a self-identified tea party activist, believes the push to put same-sex marriage on the ballot will be just as strong. He also noted that articles of impeachment have been filed to begin the process of removing the four Iowa Supreme Court justices who voted to strike down the state ban on same-sex marriage.

Shaw's agenda also includes 2

^nd

Amendment issues, amending state code to establish that life begins at conception and illegal immigration.

McCarthy expects Branstad will be back with a plan to eliminate or severely reduce public support for 4-year-olf preschool. The governor succeeded in reducing the level of support this year, but continues to say he wants to replace the universal, free preschool with a voucher system that would help low-income families, but require all parents to contribute toward the cost of the program.

McCarthy is resigned to the fact his caucus won't be setting the agenda.

On the short end of a 60-40 split in the House, “our most important job is to be the loyal opposition,” he said. “We'll speak for Iowans who would be hurt by the majority's proposals.”

Dix, McCarthy and Courtney agree on another point: This session has been great for candidate recruitment.

While McCarthy is hoping to avoid primary contests, Dix expects several.

“Since re-apportionment, I have never experienced the intensity of people interested in running,” Dix said. “They are energetic and focused, mostly on spending, job creation and taxes.”

The potential candidates reflect the broad base of the party, including who call themselves tea party activists.

“In short, they're people who are frustrated with government,” Dix said.

Courtney believes candidates will emerge from labor and education groups, people who see the GOP agenda as hostile to their interests.