Budget disagreements force Iowa Legislature to extend session

April 25, 2012

Des Moines, Iowa: The 2012 session of the Iowa Legislature was scheduled to adjourn on April 17, yet more than a week later they remain in session due to disagreements over the budget. Leaders of both parties say they have come closer to an agreement, but neither plan on making additional compromises.

With progress hitting a wall, Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen (R) sent representatives home yesterday, telling them to be ready to return at a moment's notice. Meanwhile, legislative leaders remain in the Capitol for budget negotiations as well as addressing other high-priority issues. It remains unclear when legislators would be returning. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (D) said, “The train is off the tracks, so to speak.”

Paulsen told reporters that House Republicans have already compromised to allow more spending than they would like, and that Democrats need to be more flexible as well. He said the House, Senate and governor's office have more or less agreed to an overall plan, but are having difficulties when it comes to spending priorities. McCarthy, however, painted a different picture, saying the parties remain tens of millions of dollars apart and are also at odds over controversial policy proposals that have been added into the budget.

Lawmakers reached a similar divide over the budget last year, finally reaching a compromise on June 30, the day before the start of the new fiscal year. Bringing that to mind, McCarthy said, “This is really feeling like Groundhog Day all over again.”