Iowa Legislature Adjourns Sine Die (Finally)
by Paul Deaton
An acquaintance gave up the good life of working with lobbyists in Washington, DC to attend a culinary school in California. He posted, “What's the difference between legislating and making sausage? At least after the latter you have sausage!”
That sums up the the output of the Iowa legislature that adjourned Sine Die on Thursday. Wednesday, during the final statements on the standings bill (SF 533) in the Iowa House, Representatives Nick Wagner (R-36) and Tyler Olson (D-38) summed up the positions of opposing parties. According to Olson, there will be $285 million in unspent revenue in the 2012 budget. He believes it should be spent. Wagner agrees there would be unspent revenue and indicated he thought it should not be spent. Both asserted that their proposal would benefit Iowans, although both would be wrong.
A lot has been made of education in the 2011 session. Each side's arguments have been clear even if many Iowans have been disengaged. The thing is, education has been underfunded for so long that it is hard to remember a time when schools had the resources to do everything they wanted. School boards, parents and teachers have dealt with it and will continue to do so.
There is money around, and not all of it comes from the state. Booster organizations help support athletics and music programs, towns chip in infrastructure and fund raisers are held so teachers don't have to buy so many supplies out of their pocket. I would argue that what the legislature does regarding education is much less important than what families and communities do. A shortage of money is not Iowa's biggest problem as the 2011 session of the 84th General Assembly fades to black.
M
y friend's comparison between the legislature to sausage making reminded me of the pre-internet days and some things Donald Kaul posted in the newspaper four decades ago. Before the rise of the internet, we had to read a physical newspaper and didn't refer to it as a “post.” The following quotes were anthologized in his book How to Light a Water Heater and other War Stories: A Random Collection of Random Essays which is available in used bookstores once in a while.If you have an aversion to journalistic humor about the legislature, avert your eyes and stop reading right now.
From Donald Kaul circa 1960s:
“How can you tell when an Iowa legislator is on his was to a fancy dress ball?”
“He wears a cummerbund over his bib overalls.” [Editor's Note: See what I mean?]
“Why does it take five legislators to make popcorn?”
“One to hold the skillet and four to shake the stove”
“They say the Iowa Legislature should be given a citation.”
“Really? Why is that?
“A citation for leaving the scene of an accident.”
“He wears a cummerbund over his bib overalls.” [Editor's Note: See what I mean?]
“Why does it take five legislators to make popcorn?”
“One to hold the skillet and four to shake the stove”
“They say the Iowa Legislature should be given a citation.”
“Really? Why is that?
“A citation for leaving the scene of an accident.”
Thank you Mr. Kaul.
~Paul Deaton is a native Iowan living in rural Johnson County and weekend editor of Blog for Iowa. E-mail Paul Deaton
Blog For Iowa 