During a week of tornado sightings, record heat and hailstorms, the Iowa House of Representatives debated and then passed HF 697, an omnibus budget bill.  The Republican majority sought compromise in parts of the budget, at least enough so that they could report to constituents and the news media that they had offered an olive branch on preschool, allowable growth and a few other areas important to Democratic legislators.

The Iowa Senate convenes on Friday and may consider the new bill, or they may not. Word on the street is that Senate Democrats will eventually compromise and agree to a budget that does not exceed $6 billion in FY 2012, with zero percent allowable growth in FY 2012 and 2% allowable growth in FY 2013. BFIA’s prediction is there will be no government shutdown, as the one vote Democratic majority gives the Senate caucus very little leverage. That leverage should be held in reserve to stop egregious legislation that remains on the unfinished business calendar while the unending legislative session continues until adjournment sine die.

Out in the counties, life goes on. School districts have planned their cuts for next year, the grass at the state parks remains uncut, the state is performing fewer restaurant inspections and the governor travels around the state drumming up support for his positions. Iowa is preparing for a Republican summer.

Iowans are also spending money like they have it. The state revenue projections indicate money is coming into the treasury, as Senate Democrats continue to point out. Citizen behavior and government rhetoric seem disconnected, and this serves to disengage the electorate from politics.

An example of a disconnected electorate can be found in school districts that recently launched major capital campaigns to upgrade sports venues. In one district, about a dozen district employee positions were eliminated because of impending state budget cuts. At the same time, a capital campaign for a sports venue was launched by an athletic booster organization. The same town authorized a new road to improve circulation around the elementary school. There is money available to do things related to education, just not the will to spend it on teachers. Progressives would like to see improvements in what goes on in the classrooms, not just around them.

During the next year and a half, Iowans will get a chance to see what society looks like with Republicans in charge of our divided government. If it continues to be like it started, we will build the shell of society, but not support our ideals.

The summer’s political climate will be like this week’s weather: hot and sticky. Progressives should either get used to it or do something about it. Here’s hoping we do something about it.