Lawmakers to zero in on budget

COUNCIL BLUFFS — With about two weeks left in the legislative session, Iowa lawmakers will be focusing almost entirely on passing the state budget, area representatives said Saturday.

And it should be done in a bipartisan way, they said.

“We have a healthy two-party system,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs.

Gronstal responded to a question at a legislative coffee on whether Democrats and Republicans can work together to accomplish goals.

“About 90 percent of what we do is done together,” Gronstal said.

State Rep. Doug Struyk, R-Council Bluffs, agreed.

“We work together a lot more than people imagine,” Struyk said.

Both parties agree that budget cuts should be in the range of $5.3 billion. “We will not keep anything whole,” Gronstal said.

There was some good news this past week about tax revenue.

The state's revenue estimating conference predicted a slight upturn in the economy, which should bring in an additional $33 million, said Rep. Paul Shomshor, D-Council Bluffs.

With Gov. Chet Culver's signature this week, lawmakers passed a government reorganization bill that will save $265 million.

“I think it's a great effort by the Legislature and the executive branch to provide real savings,” Gronstal said.

Because of the legislation, budget cuts of less than 10 percent should be possible in many areas, he said.

The legislative session is scheduled to end March 26, about 25 fewer days than last year.

“That's our contribution to cutting the budget 10 percent,” joked Rep. Greg Forristall, R-Macedonia.

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