Local control takes a beating at the Statehouse

It's shaping up to be a lousy legislative session for Iowa's local governments. But it's not like local officials aren't accustomed to having their authority sliced and diced under the Golden Dome of Wisdom.

The Republican-controlled 87th General Assembly is preparing to ban automated traffic enforcement cameras used by several cities, including Cedar Rapids, to ticket speeders and red light-runners. Cities say the cameras enhance safety and save police resources, but legislative backers of the ban contend locals really are just in it for the money, so the cameras must go.

Besides, some lawmakers, their loved ones and even the governor have received those maddening camera citations. There ought to be a law.

It's also likely the House and Senate will move to checkmate counties that voted to raise local minimum wages after the Legislature failed for a decade to boost the state's minimum wage.

They contend a 'hodgepodge” of local wages is too confusing for businesses, so county power must be pre-empted and the state wage shall rule everywhere.

Of course, many businesses operating in different parts of the state already pay differing wages based on local conditions. These same businesses also deal with all sorts of varied ordinances, rules and requirements set by local governments looking out for local needs. But the 'hodgepodge” must be untangled, lawmakers say, perhaps without a raise in the minimum.

A good case can be made that any new initiative to address Iowa's water quality problems should direct dollars to Watershed Management Authorities, entities led by boards appointed by local governments within the watershed. It's more likely, however, that much of the new money, if approved, will be controlled by the state Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

And the granddaddy of Iowa local control issues, the notion of giving local officials more authority over the siting of large livestock confinement facilities, likely won't see the light of day in this Legislature.

But take heart, local leaders, it could be worse. And if the state's budget situation gets even tighter, it might.

If the sluggish farm economy and other factors lead to further reductions in state revenues, lawmakers searching for ways to reduce spending could begin chipping away at the 'backfill.” That's the large pool of state money promised to local governments to offset reductions in property taxes approved in 2013.

So far, Republicans have vowed to live up to their backfilling promise. But if push comes to shove, and the choice is cutting their state priorities or slicing funding to local governments, keeping that promise will become a lot tougher. Fiscal problems often run downhill. It's happened before.

It wasn't all that long ago Democrats were seen as the party of big state government knowing best, inflicting its edicts on local officials. For example, nine years ago, faced with the choice of allowing local businesses and governments to regulate public smoking or passing a statewide snuff-out, Democrats opted for a statewide smoking ban.

Republicans were the party of local control. But that's changed. And they've taken their lead from the Branstad administration.

Within hours of being sworn in for his fifth term, Gov. Terry Branstad signed an executive order barring local governments from forging labor agreements with unions on any project that receives a dime of state funding. In Cedar Rapids, the order forced Cedar Rapids to scrap an accord with local unions intended to make sure jobs on local flood recovery projects went to local workers.

Just after winning a sixth term, Branstad directed the state Department of Education to stop accepting waiver requests from local school districts seeking to set their own August start dates. Branstad sought to push back the start of the school year on behalf of the Iowa State Fair and tourism interests that insisted an earlier start cut into their attendance, workforce and profits.

Many of these moves to chip away at local authority are shortsighted. Cities, in particular, are critical economic engines where most Iowans live. Enacting legislation empowering them to solve problems and diversify their revenue bases beyond dependence on property taxes likely would pay economic and budgetary dividends for the state. Instead, they often get a legislative cold shoulder.

And there can be political consequences. During the Gov. Tom Vilsack years, the Republican-led Legislature balanced a tight budget, in part, by slicing aid to local governments. Anger over closed city facilities and curtailed services bubbled up, prompting some local leaders to run for Legislative seats. Many won, laying the groundwork for eventual Democratic majorities.

It still is possible the Golden Dome of Wisdom will get wise. But it's more likely lawmakers will start slicing and dicing.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegazette.com