Iowa Supreme Court To Rule on Landmark Case Today



Quad-City Times



DES
MOINES — The Iowa Supreme Court is expected to rule today in a landmark
constitutional dispute between Gov. Tom Vilsack and Republican
legislative leaders over the governor’s use of line-item veto powers.



The
court’s ruling, which is expected early this morning, could carry major
policy implications. A Republican victory potentially could revive a
$311 million package of income tax cuts and a long list of significant
regulatory changes vetoed last year by the Democratic governor.



But
lawmakers argue that the biggest issue at stake is the constitutional
balance of power between the Legislature and Executive Branch.
Republicans charge that Vilsack upset that balance. Vilsack denies he
moved to grab more authority. . . .



. . .
Taxpayers are paying bills for both sides in the struggle. Attorney
General Tom Miller is defending the governor while lawmakers hired Des
Moines attorney Richard Sapp to handle their case.



“I
believe this is a purely political exercise,’’ said Gordon Fischer, an
attorney and chairman of the Iowa Democratic Party. He and other
Democrats argue that taxpayers are being asked to bankroll what they
consider to be a partisan legal maneuver. “I think it’s going to come
back to haunt (Republicans),” he said.



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