Thieves In The Night
- Monday, April 27, 2009, 4:32
- Iowa, Top Story
- 631 views
- 25 comments
Just before sunrise on Sunday morning, the gavels fell for a final time this session in the Iowa House (5:04 am) and in the Iowa Senate (5:55 am). For a legislative session that seemed to grind to a halt on a regular basis, it became clear on Thursday that the Democrat leadership team would ram its agenda through over the weekend and then head home.
A week ago, the legislature wasn’t even in session on Friday, nor was it in session for most of the day this past Wednesday. They all needed to be in Newton to greet President Obama. What was so important that legislators couldn’t go home to see their families this weekend? What led to legislators debating bills at all hours of the night on a weekend? Politics.
Many people had predicted that the legislative session would conclude before Iowa’s 99 county recorders starting handing out marriage licenses to gay couples today. While those predictions were spot on, there are other political advantages to be gained by working around the clock on a weekend. Nobody was there to cover the bills they were debating, or even worse, how much debt with which our future generations will be saddled.
With the session ending around sunrise, the morning editions of the newspapers that service our state were already on people’s doorsteps. Sure, there will be some news coverage about what happened over the weekend in today’s papers, but that will soon take a back seat to the coverage of the first gay marriage licenses being issued.
Talk about a shrewd move. Not only did the same legislative leaders who believe that gay marriage is the civil rights issue of our time not want their members to be at the State Capitol today, they are using the news coverage of the historic event to hide what transpired over the weekend.
So what don’t they want you to know about?
Culver and the Democrats’ budget is a whopping $6.3 billion. That’s the most state spending in our history. With state revenues continuing to fall and unemployment numbers on a steady climb, the state should have tightened its belt. Instead, late Saturday afternoon Governor Culver held a press conference asking the legislators for an additional $100 million. Unbelievable.
This budget also creates a spending gap of $890 million for fiscal year 2011. That means the state is planning on spending almost a billion dollars more that it will take in. In talking with an official from the State Auditor’s office, they said revenues would have to grow by 17% for there not to be a budget gap. That means legislators and the Governor will likely have to make massive budget cuts or pass a massive tax increase next year. There is a good chance they will have to do both.
If the budget wasn’t bad enough, Iowa Democrats also passed a $765 million bonding proposal. Iowans will pay $1.6 billion over the next 20 years so that the state can spend $765 million on various projects across the state over the next year or two. While the legislators appropriated the money this weekend, an 11 member board will dole out the projects to who they see fit.
It is unlikely that that many of you tuned into listen to the Iowa House debate the $535 million portion of the bonding bill. The debate lasted until 2 a.m. on Saturday morning. And while only a handful of people probably listened, our Republican legislators in the House need to be commended for their actions. In this era of tea parties where the people gather to protests both sides of the political aisle, they would have been cheering our Republican legislators.
Member after member spoke out against the bonding proposal. Each made principled arguments on why there is no need for the state to go into debt to the tune of $1.6 billion when the legislature could easily find the money to pay from these projects now, or over the next few years. House Democrats stated that this portion of the bonding bill to be about flood recovery, yet even Rep. Tyler Olson (D-Linn County) admitted that only $245 million was for flood related projects.
House Republicans unanimously agreed that they could find the money to meet those needs. They offered to use the state’s cash reserves, and they also pointed out that the instead of making a yearly $60 million payment on a loan, they could use that money to fund those projects over the next four years. Those common sense suggestions are what Iowans expect from their legislators, but the Democrats didn’t even consider them.
More shocking was how the Republican minority had a better understanding of the Democrats’ borrowing plan than Rep. Dennis Cohoon (D-Polk County), the Chair of the Transportation, Infrastructure, and Capital Appropriations Subcommittee. Republicans were not involved in any of the planning of the legislation – all of that was held in private behind closed doors – yet they covered every square inch of that bill during the lengthy debate.
Certainly, most legislators are glad to have this legislative session behind them. For Republicans, there were some surprising victories and many frustrating losses. Democrats on the other hand are hoping that their late-night weekend tactics, coupled with the flurry of media attention over gay marriage, will allow them to go home unscathed.
No matter how the upcoming weeks play out, waiting for Governor Culver and the Democrats next January will be a majority of Iowans demanding a constitutional amendment defining marriage, and an $890 million budget gap that they will have to address in an election year.
About the Author
Craig Robinson has written 452 stories on this site.
Craig Robinson serves as the founder and Editor-in-Chief of TheIowaRepublican.com. Prior to founding Iowa's largest conservative news site, Robinson served as the Political Director of the Republican Party of Iowa during the 2008 Iowa Caucuses. In that capacity, Robinson planned and organized the largest political event in 2007, the Iowa Straw Poll, in Ames, Iowa. Robinson also organized the 2008 Republican caucuses in Iowa, and was later dispatched to Nevada to help with the caucuses there. Robinson cut his teeth in Iowa politics during the 2000 caucus campaign of businessman Steve Forbes and has been involved with most major campaigns in the state since then. His extensive political background and rolodex give him a unique perspective from which to monitor the political pulse of Iowa.
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Quoting Mr. Bill Maher:
The thing that you people out of power have to remember is that the people in power are not secretly plotting against you. They don’t need to. They already beat you in public.
Just out of curiousity Mr. Right, why do you even feel the need to post here? Seriously, all I ever see from your posts are silly ad hominem attacks against straw men straight from the mouths of , as you quote, Bill Maher, Jon Stewart and the like. You are certainly the most mean-spirited person who finds the need to comment here, claiming all who dare disagree with your side as hateful bigots b/c you aren’t apparently capable of analyzing actual argument.. Why bother? i could care less, mind you, but when the Iowa Republican’s own motto is “news for republicans, by republicans”, why hang out here? Spend some time over at moveon., for crying out loud! Or just bask in your party’s time in the limelight. Heck, your guy has already neutered the CIA, dropped a couple TRILLION dollars, nominated half the tax cheats in D.C. for his cabinet, broken campaign promises on not allowing lobbyists in his administration, bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia (indicating that he is in effect, subservient to the King) and apologized the worst dictators of the world for our horrible country’s actions, and we’re only 100 days in! Celebrate! Don’t be so angry . You’ll live longer.
Wayne,
If hypocrisy was currency, you’d be Bill Gates. Anyone who reads this blog and says that I am the most mean spirited person who posts here is clearly blinded by their own partisanship. Other than Craig Robinson’s partisan hackery, this Web site is dedicated to anonymous bloggers preaching half truths and attempting to spread hate against people whom they disagree with. It treats asinine conspiracy theories like they are proven facts and grasps as straws hoping to scare people into joining their side (for example, being upset that our president DARED to show any respect to another countries leader… I can understand your outrage. It would be like holding hands with the King of Saudi Arabia and going on a lover’s stroll through the White House).
I’m simply acting as the truth police, Mr. Wayne. Sorry if that offends you.
you
“Other than Craig Robinson’s partisan hackery, this Web site is dedicated to anonymous bloggers preaching half truths and attempting to spread hate against people whom they disagree with”. See Steve, I beg to differ here. I’ve seen a handful of ugly posts here, but quite honestly the number is about a billion times lower than the number of truly hateful posts that are all over moveon and the like (see, I may visit lib websites, but I just don’t post on them cause hey, what’s the point?) that I’m sure you agree with most of the time. I question sometimes the validity of some of the comments that to me are much more likely to be upstanding left leaners like yourself that are so consumed with making conservatives fit their mold that they bother to post as conservatives. Otherwise though, you definitely do have a different definition of “hate” than most of the people here. You automatically denounce readers of the website for disagreeing with gay marriage. You call that hate. I call that traditional marriage. Obviously, both sides should be able to agree that derogatory terms (which I have noticed on the website and are likely planted, in my opinion) aren’t needed and no one should not be able to get a job due to their sexuality. Marriage has always been relegated to heterosexual couples and as a Christian, I am concerned greatly over what’s happened recently in Iowa. I can honestly say there’s not an ounce of hate in my heart. I’ve had a gay man work for me before and didn’t really give a crap that he was gay. But that doesn’t mean that I have to endorse the lifestyle. What I’m sure you would claim is genetics, I call a choice.
“It treats asinine conspiracy theories like they are proven facts and grasps as straws hoping to scare people into joining their side (for example, being upset that our president DARED to show any respect to another countries leader… I can understand your outrage. It would be like holding hands with the King of Saudi Arabia and going on a lover’s stroll through the White House).” Touche. But at least Bush didn’t bow. Any snappy retorts on the fiscal front?
“Any snappy retorts on the fiscal front?”
Republicans probably want to wait a few years before they start screaming about how bad our national debt is. Didn’t you guys practically invent this debt? (how was that)
As for our differing definitions of hate…. granted. But I urge you to read some of the posts on this site and try to look at them with impartial eyes. It isn’t a matter of people disagreeing over the definition of marriage. These bloggers have done their best to vilify gay people, compare then to child molesters, and ridicule their lifestyle.
If you disagree with the law of the land, kick Democrats out of office and amend the constitution. That’s your right. But why must this site dedicate so much time to trying to make homosexuals less than human? Look at “Emily’s” posts or the Daily Constitutional’s rants. They aren’t examples of people disagreeing. They are examples of people who hate other people because they are different.
Mr. Right,
You stated that you are the “truth police” for this website, so I thought maybe you could clarify a couple of questions I had. You make the claim above the conservatives are hateful and have attempted to villify homosexuality, but have not failed to comment on whether you are hateful and whether you have are making villains.
Earlier today, you commented on another story, “I think technically Peggy is a woman, but she would be better classified as asexual.” Personally, I do not know Peggy, as you presumably do not either. Would this be the kind of hateful speech and villifying you were referring to above?
Generally I either ignore your posts or chuckle at the premise you are making (mostly because it is irrelevant to the story you are posting about), but I am curious what your purpose for posting is. I assure you that you will not convince me of your position by degrading Peggy or Emily. I know it feels, “Oh so good” to post, but beyond that, your posts are not helpful in creating a meaningful discussion where real ideas can be addressed. You may find yourself more persuasive if you explain your position, why you disagree with the author, etc. instead of simply criticizing anonymous bloggers while you maintain a pseudonym for yourself. I would love to hear your thoughts!
Missouri is looking better all the time, cya!!!
To answer your overall question, “Thinking,” it is difficult to participate in a civil discourse with a group of people who are immune to evidence that contradicts their beliefs. Instead of facts, you and your friends hear on this site discuss conspiracy theories, outdated conclusions and stereotypes, mixed in with just a dash of hate speech.
So from time to time I think it is appropriate to give a little back. If you’re going to hate people for no real reason other than some fairy tale told you to (i.e., the Bible), then you should expect to be mocked.
My personal favorite is the outrage… OUTRAGE… you people seem to feel anytime I point out that what you’re saying not only isn’t true but is pure bigotry. I don’t care if it is based on religion or not: If you hate someone based on their sexuality, or if you want to deny someone their rights based on sexuality, you are a bigot. Sorry, but it’s true. I’m just pointing out the facts. Take it up with reality if you have a problem with it.
I’ll make serious arguments on policy when someone on this site says something (anything) that should be taken seriously.
How boring! The Out-Of-State team of Perveted-Commenters-For-Hire are back, with their pockets full of Tim Gill money, making their rounds of Iowa blogsites!
Still saying the same worthless and hateful lies, about any and every Conservative that is on the Hate List!
Is anyone in Iowa still stupid enough to think that these blog saboteurs have any intention, other than disrupting any flow of human communications that they can find?
These things are brainwashers of the public! Brainwashers of everyone dumb enough to even read the tripe that comes from their fingers!
I say, ignore their programmed lies! Just keep on having human conversations, and brush off their filth like you would (unpleasant stuff) on your shoes!
Steve Right, you have my deepest sympathy. As sorry as a human being as you are, I still can’t help but feel pity for you.
Okay, I didn’t tell the whole truth. You really are good for a laugh. That old saying open mouth insert foot. You just keep me in stitches!
•In 2006 the Parkers and Wirthlins filed a federal Civil Rights lawsuit to force the schools to notify parents and allow them to opt-out their elementary-school children when homosexual-related subjects were taught. The federal judges dismissed the case. The judges ruled that because same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, the school actually had a duty to normalize homosexual relationships to children, and that schools have no obligation to notify parents or let them opt-out their children! Acceptance of homosexuality had become a matter of good citizenship! What happened to freedom? I don’t see any tolerance here…
Steve said:
/Look at “Emily’s” posts or the Daily Constitutional’s rants. They aren’t examples of people disagreeing. They are examples of people who hate other people because they are different./
This is where you get a dose of your own medicine, Steve: don’t tell us to go “look”….start posting the exact passages you consider to be “hate speech.”
oh peggy you’re so good.
Rush isn’t the only one with talent on loan from God!
Peggy, it was nice of Steve to praise your intelligence, don’t ya think? But he didn’t accept your challenge about posting the hate speech…what’s up with that? Wait! I get it! He can’t find any!!
Hey Steve.. Going all the way back to your first post..
Guess what..your party in Des Moines this session did just about everything their power to tick off hundreds of thousands of Iowans that might have voted for them in coming in elections.
Its going to be pathetic to see guys like Gov. Gronstal, Murphy, and Chet going to take their victory lap around the state this week..bragging how they were “fiscally responsible” and how the “cut the budget”
News flash–The state budget’s never been bigger..we just borrowed 1.4 BILLION dollars with no solid plan to pay it back without needing massive tax and fee increases in the future.
Why dont you go talk to a family who’s had to cut back and ask them if they think its responsible for state government to take their tax dollars and
go out this year and purchase hundreds of new vehicles all equipped with GPS, leather seats and satellite radios.
Ask them if they think its right that Democrats wanted to start making Iowans pay taxes upon the federal income tax they already pay to Washington D.C.
Ask families if they think its responsible that Democrats refused to even CONSIDER 200 million dollars in savings that House Republicans offered. Ask those families if they think its appropriate that nearly every line of this budget was created behind closed doors, out of view of the public and the light of sunshine..literally!
The way I see it..Iowans are torqued off something fierce at Chet and his party. Need you be reminded that RPI out-fundraised the Iowa Democratic Party for the first time in a LONG time last quarter.
We’re already seeing people coming forward, expressing an interest to run for office in 2010..people who have never stepped forward before..but are fed up with the way that our government treats the taxpayers of this state.
Whether or not you guys choose to recognize that you guys are on pretty shaky ice to begin with is up to you.
If I may address “Mr. Right’s” opinions, as I am sure that is not his real name. As was pointed out earlier it’s clear Mr. Right’s “opinions” are nothing more than a vain attempt to degrade and belittle people for their beliefs. I for one have zero problem with gay marriage. The problem is, if someone does that does not make it hate speech. It makes it a difference of philosophy. As far as our esteemed President is concerned. While I am sure bigotry exists, it is not bigotry to point out that his agenda, as well as his ideology, is borderline insane. It has nothing to do with his color. Thinking socialism sucks is not hate speech, it is common sense. As Peggy pointed out recently, still waiting to hear all that “hate speech” referenced by the very fictional, very poor at his task “Mr. Right”. All the vitriol comes from the left and they know it. They’re constantly mad about nothing, they just like to hear themselves talk. While we are talking about vain, hate mongering neer do ‘well’s let’s talk about these paragons of virtue. Jack Hatch(no further comment necessary) Tim Geihtner(tax cheat) Janet Napolitano(veterans are the real terrorists! Chas Freeman(Israel is responsible for every bad event in middle east history) Jimmy Carter (enough said) Governor rod Blagojevich(up to his ass in well known problems, including SEIU corruption. William “Icebox “Jefferson. Pat Murphy (Herr Goebbels) and let us not forget Kerry Burt, busted for a DUI and not hide nor hair of him since.( I wonder why that is?) These are the people “Mr. Right ” looks up to. last but not least, let us not forget Earth day, or as Sociacrats might refer to it…Christmas day. This is a Holiday they worship that was founded by a degenerate BO ridden scumbag named Ira Einhorn. For sociacrats not familiar with their Holiday equivalent, it was founded by a man who stuffed his fiance into a trunk and let her body decompose for the better part of two years while the liberal intelligencia made his bail for him, helped him evade capture, and then lionized him as a pillar of the community. I implore anyone on this sight not to take morons like “Mr. Right” seriously because their track record doesn’t make it possible to do so. These people have the IQ of a coconut and morals of a weasel on speed. By the by, given the choice, I’ll take the weasel on speed. Also Steve, don’t bring Jimmy Carter’s nobel prize in here. That’s like Ronald Reagan getting an award from the Republican party(yes the Nobel peace prize is that partisan. Steve, don’t be bitter you don’t know your ass from your appetite. Just go sit in a tree so they don’t cut it down. Go protest the Jewish people for being attacked perennially, and by all means make sure to never have a critical thought about your prescious politicians, the utterly corrupt fools who give you your false and ridiculously inflated self importance. If you didn’t understand any of the words written here “Mr. Right” i would be more than happy to explain them to you if you can’t get find an American to translate them from Russian.
Brandon Elliott
By the way “Steve” I am the furthest thing possible from “Outraged”. I think watching you lose the majority’s you had to lie so heavily to obtain is going to be one of THE funniest tank jobs in Iowa political history. Have a nice night Steve.
Mmm boy, what to say!
Probably the first thought that comes to mind is that a rant, particularly a faux-intellectual and wordy one, can so much more effective if the spelling is correct throughout and all sentences are complete and in proper syntax.
3.8
B,C.,
You should care about same sex marriage – it’s not good for the involved parties, society or children.
” All the vitriol comes from the left and they know it. They’re constantly mad about nothing, they just like to hear themselves talk.”
The reason this is funny to me is because he actually believes this stuff.
My favorite part of you right wingers, especially people like Peggy, is that you like to pretend like you’re well educated and well researched. You like to cite “studies” and act like history is on your side.
It’s sad, really, how uninformed you are. But luckily, the future doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to the rationale world. Sorry Pegster and B.C. The thinking person won this round. Maybe the 19th Century will make a comeback?
Hey “Conservodem”. I thought spelling and syntax is what is most important when commenting on this sight. I think you meant a rant can BE so much more effective. Here’s a tip. if you want to criticize syntax you may want to look over your own post. You still refuted nothing I’ve said. I am not a Republican. if you would like list of Republicans I cannot stand I would be more than happy to provide one. Arlen Specter(oops, just left) Mitch Mcconnell, Jim Leach(although no longer relevant) Christopher Rants, Steve King, Mark Foley, George W. Bush (for getting the ball rolling on all this nonsense)Arnold Schwarzenegger. Just to name a few. Perhaps you can’t understand this “Steve” or conservodem but I do not worship any politician because they are all part of the same problem. “Senator, you and I are part of the same hypocrisy.” Michael Corleone-Godfather II That means crooks and politicians are the same thing “Steve”, wether they are left or right. Wake up.
B.C.,
Nice try, but you still sound like an idiot.
Better luck next time,
Steve
B.C. what do you have against Steve King?