This is the second installment of a two-part interview, to read part one click here.

Education

Governor Branstad’s legacy-minded education reform proposal has struggled to draw support since its release on October 3rd, and you can count Mr. Landon as one of those lacking in enthusiasm.

A core tenet of Landon’s philosophy is local control. The benefit he sees in applying this principle to education is that the parents of each child, and the teachers in the actual class room, will have their voices better heard and their concerns more directly dealt with,

“My first reaction (to the governor’s plan) is that it drives us towards more state control and more mandates on levels of performance. I think that we are going to have to reform the system, but I think that instead of less local control we need to focus on more local control. I think we need to make sure that the families, the school teachers, and the administrators all have their say on how this should be done. I really believe that parents and school teachers, the people who are in that sector, know the best for their kids”.

Health Care

The Democrats failure last session to construct Iowa’s insurance exchange program in accordance with Obama Care means that a nasty, brutal fight awaits next year. By all accounts this will be one of the three most high-profile issues debated by the Iowa Legislature in 2012, and one that ultimately drew fellow candidate Stacey Rogers (R-Ankeny) into the race. Landon, for one, would have voted no last year on SF 404 and sounds ready to engage in the fight,

“What would guide me is local control. The rights of District 37 residents and the rights of Iowans have to come first. Anything that’s done has to be for their benefit and their economic interests. And frankly, I view Obama Care as unconstitutional from the get-go. I am not in favor of taking care of this through the government because they (the people) will not be taken care of the way they should be.”

On Illegal Immigration

“I am a proponent of legal immigration. It is probably not that big of an issue in this particular district, but there are areas in Iowa where it is. As a state issue I would say that the Federal government, like in so many other things, has failed. I am against the taxpayer having to pay for the upkeep of people who have come here illegally.”

Barring an unexpected Federal resolution to this problem Landon indicated a willingness to possibly engage at the state level, “If the Federal government won’t do it and they are going to continue to let the border be porous, from the standpoint of public safety and who is going to protect the taxpayer, there has to be a process that protects you the citizen.”

On Varnum (Gay Marriage)

“That should have been decided by the voters. That is a monumental shift in society and voters need to have their say. If a constitutional amendment is the only way for voters to get their voice heard on it, then we need to do it.”

On The Tea Party

In response to a question seeking his thoughts on the Tea Party and if he would consider himself a “Tea Party-ish” candidate, he answered, “I haven’t found anything in their platform that offends me or that I take issue with. I am for individual rights. I think people can make their own decisions and government would be well advised to pay attention to that. Having said that, I am part of the process and a consensus builder, I just don’t think you can go out there as a maverick and get a whole lot done. What I want is for Lincoln and Douglas townships to flourish and for Ankeny to flourish. The only way I can do that is by being an effective voice, and the only way to be an effective voice is to be a part of the process.”

Race Analysis and Summary

The contest for the Republican nomination in House District 37 will be of elevated importance as the probability is high that the nominee will ultimately be the Representative. Due to the fact that the district has a 2,400 advantage in registered Republicans over registered Democrats in what is already shaping up to be a Republican wave year, it is likely that the nominee may run un-opposed. Even more likely is that if the Democrats do choose to field a candidate they will not bother to recruit a top-notch challenger or commit substantial resources to the effort.

In what could end up being a crowded field of Republicans, John Landon is a serious contender who will be in it for the long haul. He appears both fired up for the race and ready to put in the time and work that will be required to win the seat. The major pillars that his candidacy will be built on are: less intrusive government, more local control, simplicity in legislative solutions, sensitivity to Iowa’s taxpayers, and a vehement opposition to unfunded mandates.

In particular, emphasizing that the failure to make budget cuts leads to higher taxes and a crusade against unfunded mandates could garner wide-spread appeal in District 37.

As his background suggests he is clearly positioned in the race as the “business candidate.” While often times the “business candidate” moniker is attached to folks who have had professional success, it’s worth noting that the business-like way Mr. Landon breaks down large issues as he thinks through them suggests that he would translate these skills to governance should he be elected.

Though we are early in the process, as Republicans begin to look at the field they will find much to like about John Landon as a person and as a candidate.

The following is Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn’s most recent Chairman’s Report.  – Ed.

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A personal note from the Chairman:  please keep Bob, Darla, and the Vander Plaats family in your thoughts and prayers over the Easter weekend as they continue to mourn the loss of Bob’s father who passed away this week.

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Governor Culver flips his position on Same Sex Marriage and sides with the Iowa Supreme Court.

After 100 hours of silence, Iowa Governor Culver finally broke his silence on the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Iowa’s law that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.  While his statement was carefully written and would have done Bill Clinton proud in its attempt to have it both ways, it nonetheless supports the Court’s decision and effectively flips the Governor’s previously held position to “do whatever it takes to protect marriage.”

Yesterday, Republican members of the Iowa House attempted to use a House procedural rule to force a potential vote on a proposed constitutional amendment that would let the people vote on the definition of marriage.  Unfortunately, House Democrats refused to allow a vote on that motion so as to protect their members from having to take a tough vote.

Click below to hear Representative Christopher Rants’ remarks on the House floor courtesy of The Iowa Republican.
Representative Rants: Part 1
Representative Rants: Part 2

Time and again, Democrats at the State House have avoided facing the tough issues and taking the tough votes.  Whether it’s unsustainable budgets, job-killing labor legislation, punishing tax increases through elimination of federal deductibility, or failing to lead on defining of marriage, Governor Culver and legislative Democrats continue to demonstrate they are completely out of touch with the values of Iowans.

Iowans deserve better.  And given the opportunity, Republicans will deliver results!

Democrats refuse to give up on federal deductibility repeal and impose a Tax on a Tax.  House debate set for next Tuesday on new plan to RAISE income taxes over $400 million in the first five years.

Despite an overwhelming outpouring of anger and protest in opposition to their plans to eliminate federal deductibility, raise income taxes on Iowans at all income levels, and impose a punitive tax on a tax, Democrats at the State House have brought forward a “revised” proposal that contains ALL of the above.

While your great work, and the work of thousands of Republicans across the state, has given the Democrats pause and has slowed the movement of this terrible legislation, it has not yet put a knife in its heart.

This revised plan raises taxes on over 350,000 households in 2009, with over half of those households earning $60,000 or less.  By 2011, the number of losers climbs to more than 600,000 households and during the first five years this bill would raise total taxes on Iowans by more than $400 million.

And while the numbers are bad, this isn’t just about numbers.  This is also about fairness and the painfully twisted attempts to impose a state tax on income you use to pay federal income taxes – money most Iowans never see or have an opportunity to use.  A tax on a tax is wrong.

This is also about small businesses and jobs.  The Democrats’ tax plan specifically targets small businesses and imposes new tax burdens on the very small businesses that create the vast majority of new jobs in Iowa.  How can anyone believe it is sound policy to raise taxes on our state’s most productive job creators during a time of severe economic stress?

Iowa Republicans will continue to fight this issue and fight it aggressively.  We have at least one more week of hard work ahead of us as the Legislature prepares to pack up and go home at the end of next week.

Debate on this bill is scheduled for the Iowa House this Tuesday, April 14. Just two weeks ago the House Speaker booted over 600 Republicans from the House Chamber because he didn’t like their vocal support of those speaking in opposition to this legislation.  I am hearing that hundreds of Republicans are planning to be at the State Capitol on Tuesday to once again fill the balconies.  Anyone interested in joining them is encouraged to get to the Capitol no later than 10 a.m. and to wear red shirts in protest.

Get to your forums this weekend.  Keep up the pressure.  Iowa Republicans ARE making a difference and the finish line is in sight.  Let’s stretch to the tape and put a dagger in the heart of this job-killing tax increase!

Final three Listen and Learn forums scheduled for next week.  Take advantage of this opportunity to meet the leaders of your State Party.

Republicans in three more locations had the opportunity to meet with members of our State Party leadership team to discuss the future of our Republican Party as a part of my series of Listen and Learn forums.

In Grinnell, Ames, and Clear Lake nearly 150 Iowa Republicans gathered and participated in some spirited, informative, and very positive discussions.  When I envisioned and then initiated this Listen and Learn tour I did so knowing the potential existed for some unpleasant dialogue as frustrated Republicans expressed anger over our recent lack of success.

However, what I and other State Party leaders have found as we embarked on this road trip was something completely different.  Iowa Republicans have little interest in looking backward, in fighting about past failures or reliving past battles.  Instead, Iowa Republicans came into those rooms full of optimism, energy, and new hope for Republican success in 2010.

Iowa Republicans are READY to partner with their State Party and local candidates to move our principled conservative agenda forward.  They are ready to work together to elect new Republican majorities and send Governor Culver back to the classroom.

This coming week you still have three opportunities to meet with me and other State Party leaders at our final Listen and Learn forums.  Check the schedule below and join us at an event near your home.

• 5th CD:  Listen & Learn Forum 1
  Hosted by Chairman Matt Strawn
  When: Monday, April 13, 2009
  Where: Anita Community Center, 805 Main St., Anita, IA 50020
  Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

• 5th CD:  Listen & Learn Forum 2
  Hosted by Co-Chairman Jim Kurtenbach & the BVU College Republicans
  When: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
  Where: Storm Lake, Buena Vista University Forum Room 1, 610 W. 4th St., Storm Lake, IA 50588
  Time: 6:30pm – 8:00pm

• 1st CD:  Listen & Learn Forum
  Hosted by Co-Chairman Jim Kurtenbach
  When: Saturday, April 18, 2009
  Where: Northeast Iowa Community College, 680 Main St., Dubuque, IA 52001
  Time: 11:00 – 12:30

Check out Iowa Press this Week as I discuss the future of the Republican Party of Iowa with some of Iowa’s leading journalists.

Today I had the pleasure to represent Iowa Republicans and promote the renewal and resurgence of our party as a guest on Iowa Public Television’s program, Iowa Press.  The program will air at 7:30 p.m. tonight and at 11:30 a.m. this Sunday.

I hope you will have the opportunity to watch the program or to check it out on live streaming video by clicking here.

If you get a chance to watch the show, I would very much appreciate some feedback.  As your State Chairman I endeavor to represent the State Party in a professional and positive manner.  If you have a comment on the appearance, please send it to me at:  iowagop@iowagop.org.

Vacancy on State Central Committee in the First District to be filled at a special meeting of First District Executive Committee on Saturday, April 18.  Any interested candidates are encouraged to contact our office for details.

It was with a heavy heart I recently accepted the resignation of Karl Gilberston as a member of the State Central Committee representing the First Congressional District.  Karl has been fighting a serious medical battle and I ask you to keep him in your prayers.

As a result of his resignation, and per the State Party Constitution and By-laws, I have scheduled a meeting of the First District Executive Committee for April 18 in Dubuque.

Current members of the State Central Committee from the First District are John Hulsizer from Dubuque County and John Ortega from Scott County.

Anyone with an interest in pursuing this vacancy is encouraged to call Eric Johansen, our Political Director, at 515.282.8105 or email him at ejohansen@iowagop.org for more information on the time, location, roster of voting delegates, and committee procedures.

If you have an interest in serving the Republican cause at this level, this is a great opportunity.

In the News

Income tax changes face heated debate

Pivotal political point seen in Statehouse tax tempest

Lawmakers won’t challenge ruling

U.S. Rep King:  Statement on Obama amnesty plan

The Latham Report:  GM Firing Should Raise Concerns of Government Power-Grab

Lee County Protesters throw a ‘tea’ party

FINAL REMINDER: Check Republican on Your Tax Form

Iowa’s political checkoff is a program that allows you to direct part of the taxes you’ve already paid to the political party of your choice.  The program is very simple: When filing your Iowa tax return, simply mark the box next to “Republican Party” on Line 11 to give $1.50 to the Republican Party of Iowa.  Doing this does not increase the amount you owe or decrease your return – the $1.50 comes out of the taxes you’ve already paid!

Grassroots Activist of the Week: Lee County GOP Tea Party Participants

This week’s Grassroots Activists of the Week are those awesome Lee County Republicans who participated in a wildly successful Tea Party held at Ft. Madison’s Riverview Park last Saturday.  More than 150 people took part in the event and you can see the link to the story above.

While the Tea Party movement is not a partisan enterprise, Republicans from all across Iowa and the country are participating in this organic and spontaneous movement  to demonstrate their frustration with the direction Democrats are taking our nation and to show Americans that citizens can still make a difference in this country.

Thank you to the Lee County GOP for making your local event a huge success and for using that event as a springboard to reenergizing your local County Party.

(If you know someone deserving of being named our Grassroots Activist of the Week, please send a brief letter to jboeyink@iowagop.org — we will keep your nomination anonymous if so desired.)

Upcoming Events

April 13:  5th District Listen and Learn Forum (1), Anita

April 14:  5th District Listen and Learn Forum (2), Storm Lake

April 18:  1st District Listen and Learn Forum, Dubuque

April 25:  State Central Committee meeting, Waterloo

April 25:  The Leon Mosley Roundup (a tribute to Leon Mosley), Waterloo
For updates and local events go to www.iowagop.org

Four New Ways to Stay in Touch With the IowaGOP

While RPI continues to solicit opinions and comments for overhauling our official website, www.iowagop.org, you can connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and IowaGOP the Blog! Click the preceding links for regularly updated news, commentary, and alerts from the Republican Party of Iowa. Have a news tip? Email them to ejohansen@iowagop.org or call Eric at (515) 282-8105.

There are a number of legislators, along with Governor Culver, who are questioning the political safety of supporting this amendment.  Between their fears and the outright obstinance of Democratic leaders to prevent the voice of the people from being heard, we are in dire need of people to take a stand now, to show the Iowa General Assembly that this matters to Iowans in a big way.

Some good information from letusvote.org:

WHAT CAN I DO TODAY?

You can continue to keep pressure on the Iowa House by calling the following Members who are still undecided as to how they will vote on the Iowa Marriage Amendment.  Urge them to vote yes on the procedural vote.  Remind them that the procedural vote is a vote on the Iowa Marriage Amendment.

Representative Brian Quirk – brian.quirk@legis.state.ia.us, 515.242.6436 (desk),
Home Address: 1011 Sunset St., New Hampton, IA, 50659

Representative McKinley Bailey – mckinley.bailey@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.7480(desk),
Home Address: 521 Elmhurst Dr., Webster City, IA 50595

Representative Mike Reasoner – mike.reasoner@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.3238 (desk),
Home Address: 702 New York Avenue, Creston, IA, 50801

Representative Kurt Swaim – kurt.swaim@legis.state.ia.us, 515.242.6417 (desk), 641.208.6330 (cell)
Home Address: 504 North Davis, Bloomfield, IA, 52537

Representative Larry Marek – larry.marek@legis.state.ia.us, 515.242.6442 (desk), 319.430.0294 (cell)
Home Address: 1741 Riverside Road, Riverside, IA, 52327

Representative Kerry Burt – kerry.burt@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.7342 (desk), 319.215.8685 (cell)
Home Address: 150 Hawthorne Ave., Waterloo, IA, 50702

Representative Wayne Ford – wayne.ford@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.4061 (desk), 515.271.0605 (home)
Home Address: 3301 Cottage Grove Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311-3709

Representative Nathan Reichert – nathan.reichert@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.7332 (desk), 563.571.5242 (cell)
Home Address: 1155 Iowa Avenue, Muscatine, IA, 52761

Representative Paul Shomshor – paul.shomshor@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.7325 (desk),
Home Address: 3018 Avenue M, Council Bluffs, IA, 51501

Representative Phyllis Thede – phyllis.thede@legis.state.ia.us, 515.281.7336 (desk), 563.508.1773 (cell) Home Address: 2343 Hawthorne Court, Bettendorf, IA, 52722

Also, check out this post from Shane Vander Hart.

Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal (D-Council Bluffs) says he will not allow debate on the matter.

Gronstal, who lauded the Supreme Court decision handed down Friday overturning the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, was asked by Senate Minority Leader Paul McKinley, R-Chariton, if he would join with Republicans in crafting a bill to move an amendment forward.

“Eleven years ago, you voted in favor of protecting marriage as between one man and one woman,” McKinley said. “Will you pledge to work with me and craft a leadership bill on this important issue and bring it to the floor a vote by this body?”

In response, Gronstal shared a story about his daughter, Kate, telling a group of conservative men that opponents of same-sex marriage “have already lost” and that the younger generation doesn’t care.

“I learned something from my daughter that day. That’s what I see, Sen. McKinley,” Gronstal said. “I see a bunch of people that merely want to profess their love for each other and want state law to recognize that. Is that so wrong? I don’t think that’s so wrong.”

Senator Gronstal voted in favor of the 1998 Defense of Marriage Act before. No one is saying that it is wrong for homosexuals to want a state law to recognize their relationship. It has nothing to do with their desire, though, it has to do with the will of the people and the democratic process.

Now Governor Chet Culver is getting squishy on the subject after saying he would remain open to a constitutional amendment process should this ruling occur the way it did.

“As I have stated before, I personally believe that marriage is between a man and a woman,” Culver said in the statement. “This is a tenet of my personal faith. The Iowa Supreme Court’s decision has, in fact, reaffirmed that churches across Iowa will continue to have the right to recognize the sanctity of religious marriage in accordance with their own tranditions (sic) and church doctrines.”

Adding that the decision does not require churches recognize or officiate over same-sex marriages, Culver said that he, as governor, must respect the authority of the Iowa Supreme Court and uphold the Iowa Constitution.

What about the judicial branch respecting the legislative branch? Also isn’t the amendment process available to us to address what is deemed a constitutional problem? He’s trying to deflect and doing a poor job of it. It may not matter however due to 1964 constitutional amendment that requires voters to be asked every 10 years if they wish to convene a constitutional convention. It will be on the ballot in 2010.

Also, Ramesh Ponnuru nails what the problem is with this ruling.

In a democratic system such as ours, it can be perfectly appropriate for courts to set aside laws. Constitutions reflect the permanent will of the people, which trumps the temporary will of the people as expressed in ordinary statutes (if a court is forced to choose between these sources of law to decide a case).

But nobody can plausibly claim that Iowans meant to ratify same-sex marriage when they approved a constitution including equal-protection language. Nor can anyone plausibly claim that Iowans meant to authorize judges to decide such matters as marriage policy when they approved that language.

The court’s ruling thus has no democratic or constitutional legitimacy. Whether or not same-sex marriage is a good idea, the decision by Iowa’s court to impose it on the state is an outrage.

Major hat-tip to Jeff Angelo, and he brings up some other good points as well.

I shared some thoughts on Sunday regarding this ruling to encourage my brothers and sisters in Christ to remember God is in control regardless of what happens. Also that we need to do a better job reaching out to the homosexual community and make sure that we are respectful and loving in our speech. I also said that addressing this politically is appropriate, and I don’t want those comments to be interpreted as saying not to be involved.

To that end I’d like to share some timely news. I spent some time after work sending emails to all of the Representatives and Senators. I received an email back from Representative Renee Schulte (R-Cedar Rapids) who encouraged me to email the committee members holding the bill up:

• Representative Geri Huser – geri.huser@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Brian Quirk – brian.quirk@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Dolores Mertz – dolores.mertz@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Mike Reasoner – mike.reasoner@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Kurt Swaim – kurt.swaim@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Larry Marek – larry.marek@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Kerry Burt – kerry.burt@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Wayne Ford – wayne.ford@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Nathan Reichert – nathan.reichert@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Paul Shomshor – paul.shomshor@legis.state.ia.us
• Representative Phyllis Thede – phyllis.thede@legis.state.ia.us

I encourage all Iowans who oppose this ruling to contact these Representatives and soon, please be sure to do so in a respectful manner. There is a great sample letter that you can use as a guide.

Cross-posted from Caffeinated Thoughts.

to Keep Promise to Protect Traditional Marriage

Sen. McKinley: “ I believe Iowans should have the final vote on this very important and emotional issue. Governor Culver has chosen to stand with 7 elite justices and deny the 3 million people of Iowa the right to vote on this significant issue.”

DES MOINES, IA – Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) issued the following statement today in response to Governor Culver’s failure to keep his promise to protect traditional marriage in Iowa:

“Governor Culver has failed to keep the promise he made just last year on January 18 after a filming of Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” to ‘do whatever it takes to protect marriage as between one man and one woman’. He has failed to lead in creating a responsible budget during the last two years, he has failed to keep spending under control and he has failed to push legislation that will help get over 80,000 Iowans back to work and now he has failed to keep his promise to ‘do whatever it takes to protect marriage as between one man and one woman.’ I believe Iowans should have the final vote on this very important and emotional issue. Governor Culver has chosen to stand with 7 elite justices and deny the 3 million people of Iowa the right to vote on this significant issue. This marriage flip-flop is just the latest example of Governor Culver not providing the leadership that every Iowan deserves.”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Granted, it’s no surprise to have any politician make a promise that they can’t keep.  This particular promise is dreadfully important to most Iowans and for Culver to make this kind of promise and not do everything he can to hold up his responsibility is embarrassing.

This isn’t over.

Despite that, this is a week when so many people are busy preparing to celebrate the most important thing that God has done for us, and it is sad that we will be desperately distracted with the impact of the Iowa Supreme Court decision that will allow same-sex partners to be recognized as “married”.

Marriage as an institution was designed by God for many good reasons.  It is intended to honor Him by bringing two people together to fully give their lives over to create what God called “one flesh”… one man and one woman coming together to serve each other, encourage each other, fulfill each other.  The fullness of that relationship results in the establishment of a family that results from that union.  Spiritual and physical procreation is the plan of God, and is to the benefit of the family and the society.  It ensures that there is an established pattern of love, growth, expansion, regeneration, and glorifying of the creator.

Same-sex marriage rejects these fundamentals of God and society and will lead not just toward the continued moral decaying of society, but by reducing the procreative power of society, will join with the impact of abortion-on-demand to diminish the strength of numbers of future generations.  As fatalistic as it may seem, this leads toward a dying society.

Understand, we are in a time where we must by law allow others to do behind closed doors what they want if it doesn’t directly impact others, but by opening the door to normalizing the behavior and institutionalizing it into the form of life-long partnerships with legal infrastructure to support the normalization, homosexual behavior will become more and more common.  What I’m saying is, many (and I’ve spoken with people close to me who have said this) who believe that the behavior is wrong, are content with allowing people to do as they please and have no concern about letting gay couples “marry” because they think it is inevitable and and non-impactful.

But they are dreadfully wrong.  Along with all of the costs associated with normalizing this behavior, we will undoubtedly see an explosion of growth in it, and eventually a predominance of gay “families”, to be followed by generations of severe stagnance because we are unable to maintain sufficient population.  We will become insignificant and absorbed into other cultures that have not been so foolish.  If any such survive.

At this point, it is critical that we at least attempt to start the 3 year process of a Constitutional Amendment here in Iowa.  Although the politics would seem to dictate that this won’t happen in 2009 and possibly not in 2010 either, every effort needs to be made anyhow.  If we cannot begin until 2011, then we are 5 years away from implementation.

The voice of the people may yet carry in pressing this issue with legislators, and your voice counts.  Contact your legislator today.  There are situations where the high court’s role in establishing what is right for our state is critical and usually makes sense even if people need time to absorb it.  This is not one of those situations, and silence only supports the error.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This will likely be not only a lively week regarding Gay Marriage, but also regarding HF 807 and SF 468: Repeal of Federal Deductibility.  Unless the former is so overwhelming that the latter is lost until the hubbub dies.  However, it’s more likely that the Democratic Leadership will attempt to plow through the debate and voting on Federal Deductibility in an attempt to diminish the public debate over the Gay Marriage issue.

I’m more concerned that one issue may be used to distract everyone while some end run is concocted on the other.  Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open.  Watch here (our Iowa Tweets) and at the Polk County GOP web site (Polk GOP Tweets) for alerts and updates… the public may need to come to the Capitol again to raise our voices.

Happy Holy Week.

The Iowa Supreme Court today upheld Judge Robert Hanson’s 2007 decision in Varnum v. Brien. Today’s unanimous court decision (early rumors had indicated there was dissent on the court) strikes down Iowa’s Defense of Marriage Act.

Steve Sheffler of Iowa Christian Alliance hit on a very real financial impact today:

What this means for Iowa and perhaps for the forty-seven other states in the country that currently do not recognize same-sex marriage is, to say the least, a monumental mess.  Because Iowa’s statutes pertaining to marriage do not restrict that privilege to Iowa residents, gay couples from any state may come to Iowa, get married, return to their state and demand recognition under the Full Faith and Credit (Article IV, Sec. 1) provision of the U.S. Constitution.  “Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.”

I have not had time to review the decision yet, but apparently marriages can commence in 3 weeks.   In making this decision, the justices are quoted from their summary ruling as saying:

“The court reaffirmed that a statute inconsistent with the Iowa constitution must be declared void even though it may be supported by strong and deep-seated traditional beliefs and popular opinion.”

Interesting to me on two counts:

1. The court comes out and states squarely that they know this decision does not conform to the will of the people.
2. The court seems to be subtly suggesting the very answer conservatives sought 4 years ago: a constitutional amendment.

From what I’ve heard, this topic will likely dominate the General Assembly’s work next week, as well as be center stage in the media.  Expect to hear more this weekend, here and elsewhere.

I’ll say it once.  I don’t know if the decision was legally right or wrong.  But allowing marriage to be defined as anything other than a union between one man and one woman is bad for society, and Iowa in particular.  This is a dark day in Iowa.

We urge you, as the session progresses, to take the time to communicate with your elected representatives.  Go to this link, and find your representative’s name, click on it, and you’ll get phone numbers, email addresses, information about committee assignments and links to bill sponsorships.  I will be in contact with Peter Cownie and Pat Ward, the House and Senate members who represent me here in West Des Moines.

I exchanged emails with Peter last week.  This is his freshman years in the Statehouse, and he managed to get assigned to Appropriations, Economic Growth, Educatio nand Labor committees, and on Appropriations, he is the ranking member of the Economic Development subcommittee.  He told me that this year is pretty much all about the Budget.

Which leads me to Friday Night’s Iowa Press on IPTV.  Senator Mike Gronstal (D-Senate Majority Leader from Council Bluffs) and Representative Pat Murphy (D-Speaker of the House from Dubuque) were grilled by Dean Borg (the host), David Yepsen from the Des Moines Register, and Mike Glover from the Associated Press.

The message from Gronstal and Murphy was the same one that Peter heard… it’s about the budget.  We’ve already seen Governor Culver make two swipes at state spending to try and get the budget aligned with expected revenues.  Gronstal started responding to the budget question from Glover by saying that committees will be working hard on cutting expenses, and then proceeded to hit the first shortsighted decision which is the canceling of plans for a new state office building.  Gronstal said: “we need a new state office building, Wallace needs to be replaced but not today.”  On the one hand, if we don’t have the money, we don’t have the money… but on the other hand the cost of the new building, which “we need” will jump up every year we wait.  On the third hand, we could reduce the size of government and eliminate the need for the Wallace Building altogether, but that’s not likely to happen.  This is one project that needs more careful review in my opinion.

As they discussed ideas such as leasing the Lottery (an idea that’s been floated around lately) and allowing open positions in government to stay vacant, it became clear that Gronstal wasn’t quite prepared to express a confident opinion about anything yet… he said he wasn’t going to reject any idea until looking at the details.  Glover asked about what has been at the heart of the Lottery question for decades, which is the possibility that leasing it to private interests could quickly lead to expanded gambling in Iowa (as if any more expansion is going to really matter any longer), which Gronstal rejected out of hand.  Yepsen went on the offensive, asking about campaign contributions from gambling interests, and Gronstal didn’t like it:

Yepsen: The gambling industry makes campaign contributions to state legislators. How much does that have to do with this decision? If the gambling industry wants to buy the lottery from you and you’re getting thousands of dollars in campaign donations doesn’t it get sold?

Gronstal: No, David, I don’t think that’s true at all. Look, I think it’s an interesting idea, it’s one worth considering. If we go through that process we very well may decide, no, it doesn’t make sense. But why reject the idea of considering it? I think that’s fairly silly to reject even considering an idea. I’m actually really surprised at your critical questions. The legislature has often advocated considering privatization.

Yepsen: We always ask critical questions, Senator.

Gronstal: But the idea of privatization shouldn’t be rejected out of hand.

Yepson then took the opportunity to jump to a question that should be bugging all of us: AFSCME, the state workers union, is asking for a 5% pay raise for workers next year, and another 5% the year after that.  While people in the private sector are losing their jobs, not getting raises even close to 5%, and the key question of how every state worker makes 30% more than the average citizen.  Gronstal made one smart-mouthed response about CEOs (that was just inappropriate), and then said he wouldn’t comment on it because of the fact that the state is actively engaged in negotiations, and it’s the Governor’s job, not the General Assembly.  Yepsen kept the heat up, Murphy tried defending the salaries by talking about what some of the state workers do (covering maybe 5% of those workers… don’t get me wrong, I want police and fire protection paid well, but we’re talking about a lot of overpaid workers).

Bottom line on the union is that we won’t get any serious discussion about this from Democratic leaders because they’ll lick the union bosses’ shoes just to ensure they continue to have votes in 2010.  And we’ll be left holding the check.

There was a good conversation about the use of the state’s Rainy Day Fund and the general Cash Reserve.  It was good to hear that the leaders would consider usnig the RDF if necessary to ensure Iowans that are struggling from the weather and economic disasters of 2008 are helped appropriately… I agree that the Cash Reserve should be left alone as that is needed to ensure that we don’t need to borrow money if revenue shortfalls start to impact cash flows.

Also good conversation around the numerous proposals for local option sales taxes and the possibility of introducing flexibility for local governments to collect fees to offset property taxes.  Gronstal actually said something I can strongly agree with: property taxes are too high.  The trouble is, some fees are just another property tax, so I’m not exactly keen on that.  Local option sales taxes are fine, and all the state is doing is allowing the local governments to decide to impose them… the state doesn’t pay or benefit from that EXCEPT that the pressure on the state to help out is reduced.

They also discussed the proposal to raise the gas tax by a nickel to help create jobs and improve the existing transportation infrastructure.  I’m a bit torn… I like the fact that it helps keep people employed, but I hope we don’t end up wasting money on unnecessary projects.

They also hit on teacher pay, and corrections facility needs.  The most revealing statement of the evening came next, however.  Yepsen asked if Gay Marriage would be debated this year.  Both politicians flatly said “No.”, with Murphy adding that they were going to “let the courts make that decision”.  It shouldn’t amaze me that these guys are clearly incapable of true leadership, but I suppose when you know you lack both a credible position and will lose power if you do the right thing, having the Iowa Supreme Court there to bail you out is certainly a reasonable option.

Gronstal ended by saying this year is about the Budget and Disaster Recovery.  I wonder whether we’ll ever recover from the 2009 session?