A wish list for the Iowa Legislature

By Sioux City Journal

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Iowa's Legislature opened for business on Monday. Our editorial board offers, in no specific order, 10 wishes on our legislative list for this year.

1) Mental health reform

Myriad problems, including inequities in funding and quality of care, challenge Iowa's fragmented system of mental health services. Our state can, should - and, it appears, will - do better.

The Legislature appears poised this year to pass a comprehensive overhaul of how mental health services are provided, moving from the present county-based system to a statewide system. We support a more consolidated, more uniform state-based system through which we believe services for the mentally ill would improve in terms of delivery, coordination and funding.

2) Education reform

Since his two-day Education Summit in Des Moines in July, we have praised Gov. Terry Branstad and his administration for making the issue of education reform a high-profile priority and focusing attention on the issue across the state.

We understand discussion of Branstad's package of reform proposals will be contentious (even without inclusion of a new teacher pay model). Still, we urge lawmakers on both sides to approach this important discussion with an open mind and an appreciation of the need to build, in the words of state Education Director Jason Glass, “world-class” schools and reverse what U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan calls education “stagnation” in our state.

3) Gas tax

Because Iowa's economy continues to move in the right direction, we believe this is the year for discussion of an increase in the gas tax.

No one can reasonably dispute the transportation infrastructure challenges we face in Iowa. According to the Department of Transportation, the annual deficit between road and bridge needs and the revenue available to meet them is almost $1.5 billion; for “critical needs,” more than $200 million. If the state wishes to properly meet its fundamental obligation to provide safe roads and bridges and adequately meet the need for a modern transportation infrastructure system crucial to future economic success, then it must stop putting off this discussion.

4) Commercial/industrial property tax reform

According to The Tax Foundation, Iowa's business tax climate in 2011 ranked 45th in the nation (by comparison, South Dakota's ranked first). Lower property taxes for businesses and industries would improve the potential for economic growth and more jobs in our state.

To that end, the tone of bipartisan, pre-session discussion on this issue leads us to believe compromise action to reduce the commercial/industrial property tax burden and still protect local governments is within reach.

5) Online poker

Because we believe it's in the interest of our state to both manage and derive financial advantage from a popular activity in which some 150,000 Iowans already take part, we support legalizing Internet poker in Iowa.

The Legislature should pass a bill through which the state would license and regulate online gambling. The legislation should not, however, eliminate required county referendums on renewal of gaming licenses every 10 years.

6) Historic tax credits

We have seen the value and the return on investment, particularly on Fourth Street, of state tax credits for the redevelopment of historic buildings, and we know many worthwhile local projects await approval of such credits.

The Legislature would be well-advised to expand this program by raising the cap for historic tax credits from its present $20 million.

7) Gay marriage

Because the two legislative chambers remain split, no time should be spent in the House debating a gay marriage amendment to the state Constitution.

Such a debate would be a futile waste of time because as long as Mike Gronstal remains president of the Senate, a gay marriage amendment isn't going to pass the Legislature.

8) Dove hunting

When the Legislature legalized dove hunting in Iowa last year, we thought we had, finally, heard the last of this issue, but it's back - this time in the form of debate about whether hunters should use lead shot.

Whatever the decision, make it quickly and move on. Don't redebate the whole subject of hunting doves.

9) Conservative approach to budget

In spite of the fact the state's revenue estimate for this year and for next year was revised up in December, the Legislature should approach the budget in cautious, conservative fashion. Because the nation's economic recovery remains fragile at best and because money will be necessary for reforms in the areas of mental health, education and commercial-industrial property taxes, this isn't the time for a wholesale spending spree.

10) Short session

Lawmakers should get down to business quickly, should refrain from getting sidetracked by divisive, controversial fringe issues, then should wrap up and go home early, thereby saving taxpayers some money.