Iowa Public Television

Dean Borg: AT THE IOWA STATEHOUSE, MAJOR-ISSUE DETAILS ARE EMERGING IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION OF 2001. WE'LL ANALYZE THE FIRST THREE WEEKS OF THE SESSION AND LOOK AHEAD WITH OUR TEAM OF STATEHOUSE REPORTERS ON THIS EDITION OF IOWA PRESS. FUNDING FOR IOWA PRESS HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION; AND BY THE IOWA BANKERS ASSOCIATION... FOR PERSONAL, BUSINESS, AND COMMERCIAL NEEDS, IOWA BANKS HELP IOWANS REACH THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS; BY THE ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY... THE VOICE OF IOWA BUSINESS, REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF OVER 1,500 IOWA BUSINESSES EMPLOYING 300,000 IOWANS; AND BY THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF IOWA... THE PUBLIC'S PARTNER IN BUILDING IOWA'S HIGHWAY, BRIDGE, AND MUNICIPAL UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE. THIS IS THE SUNDAY, JANUARY 28 EDITION OF IOWA PRESS. HERE IS DEAN BORG.

Borg: THE PRIORITIES FOR THE 79TH IOWA GENERAL ASSEMBLY WERE WELL-DEFINED WHEN THE LEGISLATURE CONVENED ON JANUARY 8. A DAY LATER WE KNEW EVEN MORE AFTER GOVERNOR TOM VILSACK DELIVERED HIS "CONDITION OF THE STATE" ADDRESS. THERE WERE NO SURPRISES IN THE AGENDAS OF THE EXECUTIVE AND THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES OF IOWA GOVERNMENT, EDUCATION TOPPING BOTH LISTS. EVEN SO, AS IS OFTEN SAID, THE DEVIL IS IN THE DETAILS. AND WHETHER OR NOT THE DETAILS OF A MASSIVE CHANGE IN TEACHER COMPENSATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY IS A FLASHPOINT BETWEEN THE REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED LEGISLATURE AND THE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR IS STILL CONJECTURE. BUT IT IS CERTAIN THAT OTHER ITEMS ON THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS WILL BE CONTESTED, AND WE GATHER TODAY TO FOCUS ON THOSE ISSUES AND OTHERS WITH OUR TEAM OF IOWA STATEHOUSE REPORTERS. JOINING US: DAVID YEPSEN OF THE DES MOINES REGISTER, JENEANE BECK OF KUNI RADIO PUBLIC RADIO, MIKE GLOVER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, AND JOYCE RUSSELL OF WOI PUBLIC RADIO. JOYCE, THE STEALTH ISSUE... I SAID EDUCATION TOPPED THE LISTS. ALL OF A SUDDEN THE COSTS OF KEEPING US WARM GOT INTO THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND HAS REALLY HEATED UP.

Russell: WELL, THAT'S RIGHT. EVERYONE EXPECTED THE LEGISLATURE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE HIGH ENERGY BILLS THAT WE'RE PAYING BECAUSE OF UNUSUALLY HIGH NATURAL GAS PRICES. BUT IT'S KIND OF SNOWBALLED AND IT'S WORKING ITS WAY THROUGH ON TWO TRACKS. ONE, WHAT TO DO ESPECIALLY FOR LOW INCOME PEOPLE WHO SOME SAY CERTAINLY ARE STRUGGLING TO PAY HIGH ENERGY BILLS WHILE KEEPING UP WITH ALL OF THEIR OTHER EXPENSES. SO WHAT WE HAVE ARE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS QUARRELING ABOUT HOW TO PAY FOR THAT. EVERYONE SEEMS TO AGREE THAT SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE FOR LOW INCOME.

Borg: JENEANE, IT HAS ALL SORTS OF RAMIFICATIONS, DOESN'T IT, IN TAXES, IN WHERE TO GET MONEY TO DO THIS, AND WHERE ELSE TO SHORT? TELL US ABOUT THOSE.

Beck: WELL, IT'S NOT JUST IOWANS FEELING THE PINCH OF EXPENSES, BUT THE STATE IS FEELING THE PINCH OF A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR, SO TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH THIS MONEY IS A LITTLE BIT OF A CONCERN FOR THEM, NOT ONLY FOR THE LOW INCOMES BUT THEY ALSO WANT TO HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS AND THE UPPER CLASS WITH THOSE HIGH HEATING BILLS SO THEY'VE OFFERED THIS TWO-MONTH REPRIEVE OF YOUR SALES TAX ON UTILITIES, WHICH IS ABOUT FIVE CENTS. SO IF YOU'VE GOT A $300 BILL, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A $15 SAVINGS PER MONTH. AND THEN THEY'RE TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER THEY'D LIKE TO JUST GET RID OF THIS TAX ALTOGETHER, AND IF THEY DO, HOW SHOULD THEY DO IT AND HOW MUCH CAN THEY PAY FOR IT THIS YEAR.

Borg: MIKE, WHAT ARE THE POLITICS OF IT?

Glover: WELL, THE POLITICS ARE PRETTY SIMPLE. YOU'VE GOT DEMOCRATS WHO WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE THE SALES TAX ON UTILITY BILLS. THEY HAVE FOR 20 YEARS; IT'S BEEN IN THEIR PLATFORM. THAT'S A FAIRLY PROGRESSIVE TAX CUT. THEY INTRODUCED THAT IN THE HOUSE. IT GOT REJECTED. ALL OF A SUDDEN IT GOT TO THE SENATE AND SENATORS STARTED SAYING, "OKAY, TAX CUT, REPUBLICANS LIKE TAX CUTS, BIG TAX CUT, $90 MILLION," SO IT PASSED THE SENATE UNANIMOUSLY. IT'S GOING TO GO TO THE HOUSE, AND I'LL BET YOU THIS COMING WEEK IT WILL PASS UNANIMOUSLY OVER THERE OR PRETTY CLOSE TO UNANIMOUSLY, AND IT MIGHT JUST GET SIGNED INTO LAW. THE POLITICS OF IT ARE FAIRLY SIMPLE. A BIG TAX CUT, A SAVINGS TO PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING RIGHT NOW WITH HIGH UTILITY BILLS. IT'S NOT A TOUGH CALL.

Yepsen: THE POLITICS OF THIS THING IS THE REPUBLICANS WANT A BIG TAX CUT, AS MIKE HAS MENTIONED. DEMOCRATS ARE IN A QUANDARY. ARE THEY THE PARTY THAT WANTS TO SPEND MONEY FOR PUBLIC WORKER SALARIES AND TEACHERS' UNION SALARIES, OR ARE THEY THE PARTY THAT WANTS A PROGRESSIVE TAX SYSTEM? AND THERE'S EVEN A FEW ENVIRONMENTALISTS WHO SAY THAT A TAX ON ENERGY ENCOURAGES CONSERVATION. BUT IN THE FACE OF AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET RID OF A VERY REGRESSIVE FEATURE IN THE TAX CODE, I THINK A LOT OF DEMOCRATS WILL BUY INTO IT. AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO BE TEMPTED TO TAKE A SECOND LOOK AT IT BECAUSE THE BEAUTY TO WHAT THE REPUBLICANS DID WAS THAT THEY STARTED THIS A COUPLE YEARS OUT. YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO IT RIGHT AWAY SO THE STATE HAS TIME TO ADJUST ITS BUDGET AND ACCOMMODATE FOR THIS, IF YOU WILL. BY STARTING IT LATER, THEN THE GOVERNOR CAN SAY, "WELL, MAYBE I'LL TAKE THIS; MAYBE I'LL HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THIS."  

Borg: WHAT ABOUT THE LOST REVENUE IN ALL OF THIS, THOUGH?

Russell: WELL, IT'S $90 MILLION AND THAT'S THE BIGGEST SINCE THE 10-PERCENT ACROSS-THE-BOARD INCOME TAX CUT IN 1997. THAT'S THE BIGGEST TAX CUT THAT'S BEEN ON THE TABLE. BUT AS DAVID WAS SAYING, THEY'RE PROPOSING TO SPREAD IT OUT SO NEXT YEAR IT WOULD BE $9 MILLION; EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT, $18 MILLION, $18 MILLION, $18 MILLION... TAKING A PENNY OFF OF THE FIVE-CENT STATE SALES TAX EVERY YEAR.

Glover: THINK OF THIS... THERE'S AN ELECTION NEXT YEAR. THE GOVERNOR IS UP. EVERY MEMBER OF THE HOUSE IS UP AND HALF THE SENATE IS UP. BY THE TIME THAT ELECTION HAPPENS, ONLY THE FIRST STEP OF THIS TAX CUT WILL BE ENFORCED, SO THEY'RE ONLY GOING TO HAVE TO FIND $9 MILLION BEFORE THEY GO TO THE POLLS. THEY CAN TELL VOTERS "I CUT YOUR TAXES BY $90 MILLION" AND WON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR MOST OF IT BEFORE THE NEXT ELECTION.

Russell: I'M SURE IT'S MAKING THE PEOPLE THAT WANT HIGHER TEACHER SALARIES VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE THAT'S ALSO A THREE-YEAR PLAN, A BIG-BUCKS PLAN.

Glover: THEY SHOULD BE VERY NERVOUS ABOUT IT.  

Yepsen: I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO SAY, THOUGH, DEAN, THERE'S NOTHING THIS LEGISLATURE OR GOVERNOR CAN REALLY DO ABOUT HIGH ENERGY PRICES. THEY CAN NIBBLE AROUND THE EDGES. THEY CAN HELP POOR PEOPLE A FEW BUCKS. THEY CAN TAKE THE REST OF THE TAX OFF, HELP THE REST OF US A FEW BUCKS, BUT THE HARD REALITY IS THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM AND THE BIG DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE IN THIS STATE AREN'T BEING MADE YET. WE HAVE TO BUILD MORE POWER PLANTS IN IOWA. WE HAVE TO BUILD BIGGER TRANSMISSION LINES. ELECTRICITY DOES NOT JUST COME OUT OF A SOCKET. THOSE ARE NOT THE ISSUES -- THOSE ISSUES ARE NOT YET BEING ADDRESSED BY THIS LEGISLATURE.

Borg: BUT WE'RE CERTAINLY GETTING A LOT OF HELP OR AT LEAST LEGISLATIVE PEOPLE WHO WOULD HAVE TO SELL THIS TO WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE DONE TO ACHIEVE WHAT YOU WANT THERE, DAVE, OR WHAT YOU SUGGEST NEEDS IN IOWA, CERTAINLY GETTING A LOT OF HELP NOW FROM WHAT'S HAPPENING IN CALIFORNIA.

Yepsen: OH, ABSOLUTELY. IT'S A HUGE POLITICAL ISSUE OUT THERE, AND IT'S HAD RAMIFICATIONS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. ANY TALK OF DOING A DEREG BILL HERE IN THIS STATE IS DEAD. THE ONLY TALK NOW THAT I HEAR IS HOW SOON CAN WE GET MORE OF THIS PLANT CAPACITY GOING, AND IT'S A COUPLE YEARS AWAY.  

Glover: THIS ISSUE IS A NIGHTMARE FOR A POLITICIAN, DEAN, BECAUSE THIS ISSUE IS A NIGHTMARE FOR A POLITICIAN BECAUSE IT'S SOMETHING EVERY SINGLE CONSTITUENT FEELS AND UNDERSTANDS... EVERY SINGLE CONSTITUENT. IF I'M A MEMBER OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE, EVERY ONE OF MY CONSTITUENTS IS GETTING THAT BILL THAT'S THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN IT WAS LAST YEAR. SO THEY UNDERSTAND IT AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO AT LEAST PUT ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAMPAIGN BROCHURE.  

Borg: I'M INTRIGUED BY SOMETHING THAT JOYCE SAID SORT OF IN PASSING, AND IT SORT OF GOT LOST AND I DON'T WANT TO LOSE IT. SHE SAID, "I WONDER WHERE THEY'RE GOING TO GET THE MONEY TO INCREASE TEACHER SALARIES NOW"; AND YOU SAID, "THEY OUGHT TO BE WORRIED." WHAT DID YOU MEAN BY THAT?

Glover: I MEAN IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE, EVERYBODY SAYS EDUCATION IS THEIR TOP PRIORITY. EVERYBODY HAS SIGNED ON TO THIS TEACHER PAY PLAN, AND THEY'RE GOING TO DO SOME KIND OF A TEACHER PAY PLAN. BUT IF YOU RANK HEATING COSTS, TEACHER PAY, ON A LEVEL OF URGENCY, I CAN TELL YOU WHICH ONE IS ON TOP.

Yepsen: WELL, GUESS WHAT... THE POLITICIANS AT THE STATEHOUSE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO WHAT ALL OF US ARE DOING WITH OUR FAMILY BUDGETS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE CHOICES. STATE TAX REVENUES NORMALLY GROW $150- TO $250 MILLION A YEAR. THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE $90 MILLION OFF THE TABLE. THEY'RE STILL GOING TO HAVE MONEY TO PLAY WITH. I DON'T THINK IT'S THE TEACHERS THAT ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE TEACHERS, THEY'VE GOT A LOT OF CLOUT. EVERYBODY WANTS TO HELP EDUCATION. BUT I THINK SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT STATE GOVERNMENT DOES MAY GET LEFT BY THE BOARDS AS POLITICIANS MAKE CHOICES AND ASSIGN PRIORITIES FOR HOW THEY WANT TO SPEND THEIR FEWER DOLLARS.  

Glover: I DISAGREE JUST A LITTLE BIT. I THINK TEACHERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORRY TOO BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A TEACHER PAY INCREASE... IT MAY NOT BE WHAT EVERYBODY IS TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW.  

Yepsen: $40 MILLION.  

Glover: WELL, THEY MAY HAVE TO PAY A LITTLE PRICE THERE. I'M NOT SURE IT WILL GET THERE.

Russell: REPUBLICANS HAVE THE LUXURY NOW OF NOT HAVING YET PUT THEIR BUDGET PROPOSAL FORWARD, WHERE THE GOVERNOR HAS PUT HIS FORWARD, SO IT'S EASY FOR THEM TO SAY LET'S SPEND THIS MONEY WHEN IT'S TOTALLY OUT OF THE CONTEXT OF THEIR BUDGET.  

Borg: I CALLED THIS EARLIER A STEALTH ISSUE, AND YOU SAID, "WELL, IT MAY COME OUT OF TEACHER SALARY HIKES." BUT ALSO, ANOTHER BIG ISSUE COMING INTO THIS SESSION WAS THE SHELBY DUIS CASE, AND THEY WERE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT CHILD ABUSE AND MAYBE SPENDING A LOT MORE MONEY TO HIRE CASEWORKERS AND SO ON.  

Glover: VILSACK ASKED THE LEGISLATURE FOR $8 MILLION IN NEW SPENDING ON CHILD PROTECTIVE PROGRAMS, WOULD HIRE ABOUT A HUNDRED NEW CASEWORKERS STATEWIDE AND ABOUT 45, 50 NEW SUPERVISORS TO SUPERVISE THE SYSTEM. I THINK HE'LL GET A LOT OF THAT BECAUSE I DON'T THINK ANY LEGISLATOR WANTS TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE ANOTHER SHELBY DUIS CAN HAPPEN AND TOM VILSACK CAN RUN AROUND THE STATE SAYING, "I TRIED TO FIX IT AND THEY WOULDN'T LET ME." SO I THINK HE'LL GET A LOT OF WHAT HE WANTS.

Beck: HE MAY GET IT EVENTUALLY. RIGHT NOW THEY'RE TELLING -- SALLY PEDERSON, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, HAS BEEN THE GO-TO GAL ON THIS ISSUE. SHE'S BEEN THE ONE THE GOVERNOR HAS ASSIGNED TO GO TALK TO LAWMAKERS AND PITCH THIS $8-MILLION PLAN. AND RIGHT NOW THEY'RE TELLING HER, "WELL, I DON'T THINK THE ANSWER IS NEW CASEWORKERS. I THINK THE ANSWER IS MORE STATE MEDICAL EXPERTS, SAY IN IOWA CITY, DOCTORS THAT CAN DEFINE CHILD ABUSE AND HELP US PROSECUTE CHILD ABUSE." THEY NEED MORE OFFICERS, POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE TRAINED TO UNDERSTAND WHEN CHILD ABUSE IS OCCURRING AND TRAINING FOR THESE 100 NEW WORKERS, AND THEY'RE SAYING THAT NEW WORKERS ISN'T THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY. IT MAY BE DOWN THE ROAD THEY START FEARING THEY NEED TO DO THAT.  

Glover: JENEANE, A LESSON THAT'S IMPORTANT TO LEARN AT THE STATEHOUSE IS WHAT THEY SAY AND WHAT THEY DO ARE OFTEN DIFFERENT THINGS.  

Yepsen: BUT I THINK -- YOU HEAR THIS FROM REPUBLICANS, THAT ADDING 150 NEW BUREAUCRATS IS NOT THE CURE TO THIS PROBLEM. THIS STATE HAS 5,000 PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, AND CAN WE NOT REALLOCATE SOME OF THOSE INTO SOME OF THESE OTHER JOB SLOTS. THE DEPARTMENT -- JESSIE RASMUSSEN WAS OUT HERE AND SAID SHE'S DOING SOME OF THAT. THEY WANT TO INCREASE IT SOME MORE. ADDING PEOPLE GETS VERY EXPENSIVE.   Beck: ONE INTERESTING POINT OF THIS THAT I THINK IS JESSIE RASMUSSEN, WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED LAST YEAR WHEN SHELBY DUIS WAS KILLED, SHE WAS VERY QUIET ABOUT IT. SHE SAID PART OF THAT WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE PROSPECTING THE CASE, BUT PART OF IT WAS SHE SORT OF SHUT THE DOORS AND PULLED UP THE MOAT AND KIND OF HID FOR A WHILE. BUT NOW, SUDDENLY, HER DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS ARE PITCHING HER. SHE CAME OUT TO "IOWA PRESS." THEY'VE CONTACTED ME. THEY WANT TO HAVE HER ON OUR PROGRAM. SUDDENLY SHE STARTED TO REALIZE SHE HAS TO FIX THIS PUBLIC RELATIONS PROBLEM HERSELF.  

Borg: WELL, AND THAT BRINGS UP ANOTHER POINT. PUBLIC RELATIONS MAY BE A PART OF IT, BUT ALSO, MIGHT SHE BE SEEING WHAT WE'VE BEEN SUGGESTING HERE, THAT MONEY IS GETTING TIGHT. IT'S GOING OFF TO PAY SOME ENERGY BILLS AND IF I DON'T GET OUT IN FRONT AND STATE THE CASE ON THIS, WE MAY LOSE WHAT WE NEED.

Glover: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT DAVID MENTIONED EARLIER, WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO BE THE DEFINING ELEMENT OF THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IS THERE IS A COMPETITION FOR MONEY OUT THERE. THIS IS A VERY TIGHT BUDGET. EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SAYING THAT, BUT I THINK THE REALITY OF THAT IS SINKING HOME TO A LOT OF PEOPLE. TEACHERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND CAMPAIGN FOR THAT PAY INCREASE. JESSIE RASMUSSEN IS GOING TO HAVE TO GO OUT THERE AND CAMPAIGN FOR HER EXTRA CASEWORKERS BECAUSE THIS MONEY THAT IS NOW EARMARKED FOR ENERGY COSTS IS GOING TO GET SPENT. EVERYBODY ELSE IS GOING TO HAVE SO TO FIGHT FOR THE SCRAPS.  

Russell: SOME NONMONETARY THINGS ARE ALSO WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH IN RELATION TO THE SHELBY DUIS CASE; FOR EXAMPLE, A BILL. THE SHELBY DUIS CASE INVOLVED A LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND WHO WAS CHARGED WITH THAT LITTLE GIRL'S MURDER. HE WAS NOT CONVICTED BUT THERE IS OTHER LEGISLATION RELATED TO THAT; FOR EXAMPLE, A BILL THAT WOULD TIGHTEN UP THE LAW TO MAKE IT EASIER TO CHARGE A LIVE-IN BOYFRIEND WITH CHILD ENDANGERMENT.  

Borg: JOYCE, TO THE EDUCATION -- I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE COMPLETELY LAID THAT TO REST YET AS FAR AS OUR DISCUSSION HERE. ARE THERE SOME THINGS THAT WE DON'T KNOW? IT SEEMS LIKE THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH, VILSACK AND THE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, HAVE BEEN GOING HAND IN HAND ON THIS THING. AND WE DON'T SEE ANY SPARKS SO FAR ON TEACHER COMPENSATION ACCOUNTABILITY. IS THERE MORE TO BE KNOWN BEFORE WE LAY THIS TO REST IN THIS SESSION?  

Russell: YES, THEY HAVE NOT WORKED OUT THE DETAILS OF A PLAN ON HOW THEY'RE GOING TO GO ABOUT DOING THIS. THEY KNOW EVERYONE AGREES THAT THEY WANT TO COMPENSATE TEACHERS AND THAT THEIR PERFORMANCE IN THE CLASSROOM HAS TO DO SOMETHING WITH WHETHER OR NOT THEY GET THE RAISE. BUT THEY HAVEN'T WORKED OUT THE DETAILS OF HOW TO DO THAT, AND THAT'S VERY CONTROVERSIAL. DO YOU TEST TEACHERS? HOW DO YOU TEST THE KIDS IN THE CLASSROOM TO SEE WHETHER THEIR PERFORMANCE IS INCREASING? BECAUSE THEY WANT TO MAKE THAT CONNECTION BETWEEN IMPROVED PERFORMANCE OF THE CHILDREN AND THE RAISES FOR THE TEACHERS.

Yepsen: ONE THING THE REPUBLICANS DID -- THIS IS ONE REASON I THINK THE MONEY -- THE $40 MILLION WILL BE THERE IS THEY BORROWED THAT LOCK BOX THAT AL GORE LEFT BEHIND. AND THE REPUBLICANS ARE SAYING, "WE'LL HAVE A LOCK BOX THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT $40 MILLION IN AND WE'RE NOT GOING TO TOUCH IT FOR ANYTHING ELSE." BUT HOW YOU SPEND THAT GETS TO BE A PROBLEM. ONE OTHER WRINKLE HERE IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS ABOUT TO CHANGE A LOT OF THESE THINGS. I MEAN GEORGE W. BUSH HAS A PLAN OUT THERE. THE DEMOCRATS ARE JUMPING UP AND DOWN ABOUT IT. THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A RAMIFICATION ON WHAT WE DO.  

Glover: THE OTHER THING THAT HAPPENS IN THIS WHOLE TEACHER PAY THING IS THE STATE IS GOING TO KICK IN, IF THEY STAY WITH THE $40 MILLION THE FIRST YEAR, TO RAISE TEACHER PAY. THE FIRST YEAR OR TWO, THE STATE IS GOING TO PICK UP A LOT OF THAT TEACHER PAY INCREASE. BUT DOWN THE ROAD LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO COME UP WITH MORE MONEY TO MATCH THAT TEACHER PAY INCREASE... PROPERTY TAXES.

Yepsen: AND PLUS, A LOT OF THAT MONEY IS GOING TO GO TO RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT HAVE SOME OF THE LOWER SALARIES, SO YOU'RE STARTING TO CREATE A LITTLE URBAN/RURAL TENSION. AND $40 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO GETTING TEACHER PAY UP TO THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, IT'S NOT A LOT OF MONEY. IF I WERE AN EDUCATOR IN IOWA TODAY, I WOULDN'T BE OUT SPENDING MY PAY RAISE JUST YET.  

Borg: JENEANE, DAVE YEPSEN WROTE A COLUMN EARLIER THIS WEEK SAYING A LOT OF THESE "DECOY BILLS" ARE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU USED THAT WORD, DAVE. BUT HE MEANT THAT EMOTIONAL ISSUES LIKE HUNTING DOVES AND SPEED LIMIT AND OTHER THINGS ARE OUT THERE RIGHT NOW WHILE THESE THINGS ARE BEING WORKED OUT BEHIND THE SCENES. IS THAT THE WAY YOU SEE IT?   Beck: IT IS. I MEAN PART OF THE THING -- I THINK THERE IS A TWINGE OF EMBARRASSMENT FOR SPEAKER SIEGRIST THAT THE FIRST BILL THAT THEY ACTUALLY VOTED ON THIS SESSION WAS DOVE BILLS. BUT HE ADMITS THAT THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE BECAUSE IT'S THE ONLY BILL THAT WAS READY. IT'S AN EASY BILL TO UNDERSTAND, SAILED THROUGH COMMITTEE. THE TEACHER COMPENSATION ISSUE TAKES A LOT OF TIME, SO IT'S NOT LIKE THEY CAN VOTE ON IT YET. SO IT MAKES THEM LOOK A LITTLE STRANGE WHEN THEY COME IN WITH EDUCATION AS THE TOP PRIORITY BUT THE FIRST BILL THEY ACTUALLY PASS OF THE SESSION IS WHETHER OR NOT ANYONE CAN HUNT DOVES.  

Yepsen: THEY OUGHT TO ADJOURN FOR A COUPLE WEEKS BECAUSE THEY'VE GOT NOTHING SERIOUS TO DO, GO HOME, AND THEN COME BACK WHEN THEY NEED THIS SPECIAL SESSION TO DO REAPPORTIONMENT. AS IT IS, THEY'LL SIT AROUND HERE FOR 110 DAYS AND THEN COME BACK FOR A SPECIAL SESSION, REAPPORTIONMENT AT $85 PER DAY PER DIEM.

Glover: IT'S FREE... THE DOVE BILL DOESN'T COST A THING.  

Yepsen: I DO THINK, THOUGH, ON THE DOVE BILL, THE GUN LOBBY, QUOTE/UNQUOTE, HAS A LOT OF INFLUENCE INSIDE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. HUNTERS, SPORTSMEN, THEY HAVE INSISTED UPON THIS FOR YEARS. SO JENEANE IS RIGHT. IF THEY HAVEN'T GOT ANYTHING WORKED OUT ON THE TEACHER BILL AND YOU'VE GOT AN IMPORTANT REPUBLICAN CONSTITUENCY OUT THERE THAT WANTS THIS THING, LET'S TAKE IT UP AND LET'S DO IT. THE GOVERNOR HAS INDICATED HE'S NOT GOING TO SIGN IT.

Beck: HE MAY NOT BUT IF YOU PASS IT EARLY, IT SHUTS OFF THE E-MAIL AND THE PHONE CALLS AND THE LETTERS TOO, SO THAT HELPS.  

Yepsen: BUT IT WILL HELP IF THE GOVERNOR DOES VETO IT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT'S GOING ON WITH A LOT OF THESE ISSUES IS A WEDGE KIND OF THING. WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE TOM VILSACK LOOK BAD IF WE'RE IN THE LEGISLATURE. AND REPUBLICANS SAY, "HEY, IF WE CAN MAKE OUR HUNTERS HAPPY AND HE VETOES THIS BILL AND MAKES THEM MAD, WHAT DO WE CARE?"  

Borg: YOU THINK, JOYCE, THAT DRIVERS WOULD BE HAPPY IN IOWA IF THE SPEED LIMIT WERE RAISED ON THE INTERSTATES?  

Russell: SOME DRIVERS WERE, ESPECIALLY THE DRIVERS IN WESTERN IOWA.

Borg: IS IT GOING TO HAPPEN?

Russell: I'M TOLD THAT IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S GOING TO COME OUT OF COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE THIS WEEK AND THEN TO THE FULL FLOOR. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANY VOTE COUNTS. I DON'T KNOW, BUT YOU HAVE -- IT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE YOU HAVE THE LEADERSHIP IN THE SENATE, STEW IVERSON, WHO DOESN'T FAVOR INCREASING THE SPEED LIMIT. THEN YOU HAVE BRENT SIEGRIST IN THE HOUSE, WHO DRIVES BACK AND FORTH FROM COUNCIL BLUFFS, AND WANTS THE SPEED LIMIT RAISED.

Glover: IT'S AN EAST/WEST ISSUE, DEAN.

Borg: WHY IS THAT?

Glover: BECAUSE IN THE WEST, THERE AREN'T ANY PEOPLE; YOU HAVE LONG DISTANCES OF OPEN ROAD WITH NOBODY DRIVING ON THEM. IN THE EAST, YOU HAVE ROADS THAT ARE CLOGGED AND CROWDED AND DANGEROUS AND ALL THAT. SO, NO, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN BECAUSE MORE LEADERS ARE FROM THE EAST THAN THE WEST.

Yepsen: AND THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT ALL LEGISLATORS CAN UNDERSTAND, AND HAVE OPINIONS ABOUT. THIS IS LIKE THE DOVE BILL: EVERYBODY HAS GOT AN OPINION ABOUT IT; IT'S SIMPLE TO UNDERSTAND; AND WITH LEGISLATORS IT'S ALSO VERY PERSONAL. THEY DO A LOT OF DRIVING TO AND FROM DES MOINES WHEN THEY'RE OUT CAMPAIGNING. SO UNLIKE THE TEACHER PAY BILL OR REAPPORTIONMENT COMPLEXITIES, THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THIS WORKS: "DO I WANT TO DRIVE 75 OR 80, OR AM I COMFORTABLE DRIVING 65?"

Borg: DAVE HAS MENTIONED REAPPORTIONMENT, JOYCE, AND I WANT TO GET INTO THAT SUBJECT NOW SINCE HE BROUGHT IT UP. THAT WILL COME LATER IN THE SESSION, WON'T IT? WE'RE WORKING OFF THE NEW CENSUS IS WHAT HAPPENS, AND WE HAVE TO REAPPORTION IOWA THE WAY THEY ELECT THE LEGISLATURE AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS.  

Russell: THAT'S RIGHT. AND THERE'S A BUILT-IN DELAY. IT WILL BE MARCH BEFORE WE GET THE FINAL CENSUS -- FINAL POPULATION FIGURES FROM THE U.S. CENSUS, SO WE CAN'T EVEN REALLY GET STARTED UNTIL THEN. RIGHT NOW THEY'RE DEALING WITH THINGS LIKE HIRING THE VENDORS AND SO FORTH AND GETTING READY -- GETTING THEIR COMPUTERS READY. THEY HAVE A GEOGRAPHER HIRED, FOR EXAMPLE. THEN THE SERVICE BUREAU WILL COME UP WITH THE MAPS AND PRESENT THAT TO LAWMAKERS, BUT BECAUSE THEY CAN'T EVEN GET STARTED UNTIL MARCH, THERE'S A GOOD CHANCE THAT THERE COULD BE A SPECIAL SESSION OR A RECESS AND COME BACK TO FINISH UP APPROVING THOSE.  

Borg: BUT AT THIS POINT THERE ARE NO PARTISAN POLITICS, ARE THERE, JENEANE? THAT IS, IT'S AN IMPARTIAL PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

Beck: IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE AND LEGISLATORS WILL TELL YOU THAT THEY DON'T HAVE ANY SAY IN IT AND THEY ARE MOST LIKELY TO ACCEPT THE FIRST MAP DRAWN UP BECAUSE THEY SAY THAT EVERYONE IS AFFECTED, ENOUGH REPUBLICANS, ENOUGH DEMOCRATS ARE THROWN INTO SITUATIONS WHERE IT'S HARD FOR THEM TO WIN OR THEY'RE SUDDENLY FIGHTING AGAINST A BUDDY, A FRIEND OF THEIRS. SUDDENLY THEY HAVE TO BE ELECTED AGAINST A BUDDY, SO THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT THEY HOPE THEY'LL PICK THE FIRST PLAN. I HAVE NOT BEEN THROUGH PAST REAPPORTIONMENTS. I HEAR THEY CAN BE HAIRY. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THIS ONE WILL BE.

Yepsen: I'VE BEEN THROUGH THOSE, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I FIND FASCINATING IS THAT THE STATEHOUSE IS ALWAYS VERY NOISY EXCEPT WHEN THAT PLAN HITS. THEN IT'S LIKE YOU'VE GONE TO CHURCH; IT IS DEAD SILENT AS EVERYBODY LOOKS AT THAT AND SAYS, "WHAT DOES THIS DO TO ME OR FOR ME."

Glover: ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THIS REAPPORTIONMENT PROCESS HAS DONE IS IT'S PUT POLITICS ON HOLD FOR A COUPLE OF MONTHS, BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO FACE DECISIONS ABOUT THEIR FUTURE ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT THIS NEW MAP LOOKS LIKE. FOR EXAMPLE, A NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE WOULD LIKE TO RUN FOR CONGRESS IF THE RIGHT KIND OF WESTERN IOWA CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT GETS DRAWN. SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY PLANS UNTIL THEY SEE WHAT HAPPENS THERE. INDIVIDUAL LEGISLATORS ARE NOT GOING TO MAKE PLANS UNTIL THEY SEE WHAT THEIR NEW DISTRICT LOOKS LIKE. SO EVERYTHING IS KIND OF ON HOLD. IT'S A DEEPLY, DEEPLY PERSONAL ISSUE WHERE EVERY LEGISLATOR TAKES HIS OR HER INTERESTS FIRST.

Yepsen: IT GETS REAL DIFFICULT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE AND A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR, FOR ONE PARTY TO GET OUT THE CRAYONS AND PLAY GAMES WITH THIS. SO WHILE YOU'LL HEAR TALK ABOUT, "OH, WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS OR THAT," IN THE FINAL ANALYSIS, WHEN THE FIRST PLAN COMES DOWN, IF IT DOESN'T KILL TOO MANY PEOPLE, THE TENDENCY WILL BE, AS IT'S BEEN THE LAST TWO TIMES, IS SEND IT DOWN TO THE GOVERNOR AND LET'S GO HOME.

Borg: SPEAKING OF LOOKING AHEAD AND WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, WE KNOW THAT BRENT SIEGRIST PROBABLY WILL BE LEAVING THE LEGISLATURE. EITHER HE'S GOING TO RUN FOR GOVERNOR OR DO SOMETHING ELSE. NOW, THAT TELLS ME, IF I'M SERVING IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, "OH, THERE'S A POSITION OPEN. I MAY NOT MOVE TO SPEAKER BUT AS THE CHAIRS HERE ASCEND, I MIGHT MOVE TO SOMETHING ELSE." DO YOU SEE SOME OF THAT JOCKEYING HAPPENING?

Glover: THE DOMINOES ARE STARTING TO FALL. YES, THERE IS SOME OF THAT JOCKEYING GOING ON: THE EARLY MANEUVERING TO BE THE NEXT SPEAKER, TO BE THE NEXT MAJORITY LEADER, TO BE THE NEXT WHIP, TO BE THE NEXT COMMITTEE CHAIR. ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF IS STARTING TO HAPPEN. AGAIN, SOME OF THAT IS ON HOLD BECAUSE ONE OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED IS THE CURRENT MAJORITY LEADER, CHRIS RANTS, WHO MAY RUN FOR CONGRESS OR WOULD LIKE TO RUN FOR CONGRESS IF THE RIGHT KIND OF DISTRICT SHAPES UP AND IF THE RIGHT KIND OF OTHER THINGS HAPPEN. SO THAT'S STARTING TO HAPPEN NOW, BUT THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF A HOLD ON IT UNTIL WE SEE WHAT REAPPORTIONMENT DOES.

Yepsen: WELL, AND IT'S OTHER OFFICES AS WELL. IN 2002 WE'VE GOT GOVERNOR, WE'VE GOT ALL THE STATEHOUSE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OFFICES, CONGRESSIONAL SEATS. YOU'RE RIGHT, THERE ARE A LOT OF DOMINOES THERE AND A LOT OF MEMBERS ARE KEEPING OPTIONS OPEN TO RUN FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I GET A TRIAL BALLOON EVERY DAY ABOUT SOMEBODY THINKING ABOUT DOING SOMETHING.

Borg: NOW, ONE THING THAT IS HAPPENING IS THAT CHUCK LARSON, WHO NOW SERVES IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES -- HE'S FROM CEDAR RAPIDS -- IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS GOING TO LEAD THE REPUBLICAN PARTY. HOW IS THAT GOING TO AFFECT HIS LEGISLATIVE SERVICE AND HIS FUTURE PLANS?  

Glover: WELL, HIS FUTURE PLANS ARE TO RUN FOR STATEWIDE OFFICE, MOST LIKELY ATTORNEY GENERAL. THEY'LL HELP HIS PLANS A LOT BECAUSE IT WILL REQUIRE HIM TO TRAVEL ALL OVER THE STATE AND MAKE A LOT OF INROADS IN REPUBLICAN CIRCLES AND HELP REPUBLICANS RAISE A LOT OF MONEY. IT'S THE FIRST TIME IN A LONG TIME WE'VE HAD A STATE LEGISLATOR AS A SITTING CHAIR OF A POLITICAL PARTY.

Borg: DOES THAT PRESENT SOME PROBLEMS, JENEANE?   Beck: I GUESS THERE HAVE BEEN QUESTIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT HE CAN RAISE MONEY AS THE PARTY CHAIR, BECAUSE DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, LEGISLATORS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO RAISE MONEY. BUT OBVIOUSLY, THE PARTY RAISES MONEY ALL YEAR LONG, SO THERE WILL HAVE TO BE SOME THINGS WORKED OUT WITH THAT. THE PARTY IS ALSO A POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE IN REALITY, SO HIS TIES TO THAT MAY BE DIFFICULT. BUT THEY'RE SAYING THAT THEY'VE GOT IT ALL WORKED OUT. WHETHER THEY DO OR NOT, I'M NOT SURE.  

Yepsen: THE MONEY GAME IS GOING TO BE REALLY FRANTIC IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. IF YOU'RE ON A DONOR LIST, YOU'RE GOING TO GET A LOT OF MAIL BECAUSE SENATOR HARKIN IS RAISING MONEY, GOVERNOR VILSACK IS RAISING MONEY, WE'VE GOT NEW LEGISLATIVE CANDIDATES, NEW CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES. SO THE PRESSURE TO RAISE LOTS OF MONEY IS ALREADY INTENSE, AND IT'S GOING TO GET A LOT WORSE.  

Borg: ALSO, THERE'S NEW LEADERSHIP COMING INTO THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY, JOYCE.

Russell: SHEILA MCGUIRE OF AMES IS BEING MENTIONED. SHE IS A PHYSICIAN AND RAN FOR CONGRESS UNSUCCESSFULLY A FEW YEARS AGO.  

Borg: WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN, A CHANGE IN PARTY LEADERSHIP? IS THERE ANY SIGNIFICANCE AT ALL TO THAT, MIKE?  

Glover: WELL, THERE IS SOME SIGNIFICANCE TO IT IN PART BECAUSE THESE NEW PARTY LEADERS ARE GOING TO OVERSEE -- AND I HATE TO SAY THIS -- THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT CAUCUS CAMPAIGN. WE'RE ALREADY SEEING SOME SEEDS OF THAT: SOME CALLS ARE BEING MADE; SOME APPEARANCES ARE BEING PLANNED. AND ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, CHUCK LARSON WAS AN EARLY AND ARDENT SUPPORTER OF GEORGE W. BUSH. AS HEAD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, HE CAN BE RELIABLY RELIED ON TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO LITTLE INTRAPARTY THINGS. IF BUSH RUNS INTO PROBLEMS IN HIS PRESIDENCY AND PAT BUCHANAN STARTS SHOWING UP OUT HERE, LARSON CAN BE RELIED ON TO USE THE LEVERS OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO SQUASH THAT. SHEILA MCGUIRE WILL OVERSEE THE BEGINNING OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR THE DEMOCRATS TO FIND AN OPPONENT FOR GEORGE W. BUSH. WILL AL GORE HAVE THE NOMINATION BY ACCLAMATION, OR WILL HE FACE A FIGHT? SHE'LL OVERSEE THAT.  

Yepsen: SHEILA MCGUIRE-RIGGS -- SHE'S GOTTEN MARRIED. SHE'S IS IN LINE TO GET THAT JOB BECAUSE SHE'S VERY GOOD AT RAISING MONEY. I MENTIONED THE MONEY GAME THAT'S GOING ON, AND THAT'S REALLY THE BIG JOB THAT A PARTY CHAIR HAS TO DO. SHE DID LOSE THAT CONGRESSIONAL RACE, BUT SHE RAISED AN AWFUL LOT OF MONEY AND REALLY IMPRESSED A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH HER ABILITY TO PICK UP THE PHONE AND HIT UP PEOPLE'S MONEY.

Borg: AS WE LOOK AHEAD IN THE NEXT ELECTION, IS SOMETHING -- OR ARE THERE THINGS HAPPENING IN THE LEGISLATURE RIGHT NOW WHERE REPUBLICANS ARE PASSING LEGISLATION OR CONTEMPLATING LEGISLATION THAT WILL BETTER EQUIP THEM TO RUN AGAINST TOM VILSACK?

Yepsen: IT'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. WE'VE MENTIONED SOME HERE. THE DOVE BILL, FOR EXAMPLE. HERE'S ANOTHER ONE, RIGHT TO WORK. THE GOVERNOR TOOK THE RIGHT TO WORK REFERENCES OFF THE STATE'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BROCHURES. REPUBLICANS ARE OUTRAGED ABOUT THIS SO THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG DEBATE TO PUT IT BACK ON. OF COURSE, HE'LL PROBABLY VETO THAT, BUT THAT'S FINE WITH THEM. IT MAKES HIM LOOK BAD WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE OUT THERE, SMALL-BUSINESS TYPES, SOME PEOPLE WHO LIKE THE RIGHT TO WORK LAW. AND THERE ARE ANY NUMBER OF THINGS, PARTICULARLY IN THIS EARLY GOING WHERE YOU DON'T HAVE A LOT OF HEAVY LIFTING TO DO, CAN BE EXPLAINED BY THE WHOLE NOTION OF HOW DO WE MAKE TOM VILSACK LOOK BAD.

Beck: BUT SOME OF THOSE THINGS, I THINK THAT THEY GET CAUGHT UP IN WHAT IS IMPORTANT AT THE LEGISLATURE AMONG SMALL GROUPS. THIS RIGHT TO WORK ISSUE IS NOT GOING TO PLAY WITH THE AVERAGE IOWAN. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CARE WHETHER IOWA'S RIGHT-TO-WORK STATUS IS ON A BUNCH OF BROCHURES. THE UNIONS ARE GOING TO CARE -- AND THEY PLAY A BIG PART -- AND BUSINESS LEADERS, BUT THE AVERAGE VOTER IS NOT GOING TO PAY A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THAT SO THEY RUN THAT RISK OF GETTING CAUGHT UP IN MINUTIA DETAILS.

Glover: THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE AIR AT THE STATEHOUSE. IT'S PALPABLE. YOU CAN FEEL IT. EVERYWHERE YOU GO, IT'S IN THE EDGE TO THE RHETORIC. THERE'S A TINGE IN THE ATMOSPHERE. EVERY SINGLE THING YOU HEAR AND FEEL IS TINGED BY "WE'RE ON CYCLE FOR THE GOVERNOR'S ELECTION." IT'S IN EVERY PIECE OF RHETORIC THAT COMES OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BOTH PARTIES.

Yepsen: AND I DON'T KNOW -- YOU AND I HAVE BEEN UP THERE A LONG TIME, MIKE, AND I'VE NEVER SEEN IT THIS PARTISAN THIS EARLY. USUALLY YOU COME OUT OF AN ELECTION AND THINGS USUALLY KIND OF COOL OFF FOR A WHILE, AND WE GET ABOUT THE PUBLIC'S BUSINESS FOR A YEAR AND WE CRANK UP THE POLITICS LATER. BUT VILSACK WENT AFTER THE REPUBLICANS HARD, AND THEY'RE GOING BACK AFTER HIM HARD. AND IT IS VERY PARTISAN VERY EARLY.  

Borg: YOU'VE INDICATED THAT THE REPUBLICANS ARE ON THE OFFENSIVE NOW. IS TOM VILSACK ON THE DEFENSIVE, OR IS HE OUT ON THE OFFENSIVE TOO? IF SO, WHAT'S HE DOING?  

Glover: HE'S PUTTING TOGETHER THE SEEDS OF HIS CAMPAIGN. THEY'RE TALKING INTERNALLY ABOUT HOW THE CAMPAIGN IS GOING TO BE STRUCTURED, WHO IS GOING TO BE INVOLVED, WHO IS GOING TO BE RUNNING IT, WHAT THE MESSAGES ARE GOING TO BE. YEAH, THEY'RE ALL INVOLVED IN THAT. PART OF WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH ALL THESE BILLS IS WE'RE NOT AT THE POINT YET WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO DO SERIOUS WORK. WE'RE NOT AT THE POINT YET WHERE TOM VILSACK AND BRENT SIEGRIST HAVE TO SIT ACROSS THE TABLE AND SAY, "OKAY, YOU CAN HAVE THIS AND I'LL NEED THIS" AND MAKE THOSE KINDS OF DEALS. WE'RE AT THE POINT NOW WHERE THERE'S NOT A LOT GOING ON IN THE RHETORIC IMPLIED.  

Russell: HE'S DONE A 99 COUNTY TOUR.  

Borg: YES, AND HE HAS TIME TO DO THAT, JOYCE.

Russell: AT THIS POINT IN THE SESSION, YES.

Yepsen: LOOK, TOM VILSACK IS A BIG FAVORITE FOR REELECTION, DESPITE ALL THESE THINGS THE REPUBLICANS ARE DOING TO HIM. THE REASON IS, THEY'VE GOT NOBODY TO RUN AGAINST HIM. YOU CAN'T BEAT SOMEBODY WITH NOBODY, AND THERE ARE NO BIG-NAME REPUBLICANS OUT THERE SERIOUSLY MOUNTING A CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR. BRENT SIEGRIST TRIAL BALLOONED SOME STUFF, SO HE'S IN GOOD SHAPE.

Beck: OF COURSE, VILSACK WAS FAIRLY A NOBODY BEFORE HE RAN TOO, SO MAYBE THEY CAN PROP SOMEONE UP QUICKLY ENOUGH TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.  

Russell: A STATE SENATOR NOT EVEN IN LEADERSHIP.  

Borg: JUST IN THE FINAL HALF MINUTE, MIKE, WHAT'S IT GOING TO MEAN TO IOWA TO HAVE CHUCK GRASSLEY IN THE NEW CHAIRMANSHIP?

Glover: IT SHOULD MEAN QUITE A LOT. AS CHAIRMAN OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, HE'S GOING TO CONTROL ALL OF THE BUDGET PURSE STRINGS. HE'S GOING TO BE A KEY PLAYER IN ALL OF THE BUDGET DEALS INVOLVING FARM SPENDING, INVOLVING SOCIAL SECURITY. IOWA IS A VERY OLD STATE; HE'LL BE A KEY PLAYER IN THAT. MEDICARE... IOWA IS A VERY OLD STATE; HE'LL BE A KEY PLAYER IN THAT. YEAH, IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT FOR IOWA.  

Yepsen: AND HE'LL GET SOME HELP FROM JIM NUSSLE ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE IN THE HOUSE.

Glover: SURE.

Borg: THANKS FOR YOUR INSIGHTS. ON OUR NEXT EDITION OF IOWA PRESS, WE CONTINUE ON THE BUSINESS OF THE IOWA LEGISLATIVE SESSION FOCUSING ON THE SENATE'S APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE. JOINING US, TWO LEADERS FROM THAT COMMITTEE: THE CHAIR, JEFF LAMBERTI OF ANKENY; AND THE RANKING DEMOCRATIC MEMBER, TOM FLYNN OF EPWORTH. THAT'S NEXT SUNDAY AT NOON AND 7:00. THAT'S IT FOR THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF IOWA PRESS. I HOPE YOU'LL WATCH NEXT WEEK. UNTIL THEN, I'M DEAN BORG. THANKS FOR JOINING US TODAY.   Narrator: FUNDING FOR IOWA PRESS HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION; AND BY THE IOWA BANKERS ASSOCIATION... FOR PERSONAL, BUSINESS, AND COMMERCIAL NEEDS, IOWA BANKS HELP IOWANS REACH THEIR FINANCIAL GOALS; BY THE ASSOCIATION OF BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY... THE VOICE OF IOWA BUSINESS, REPRESENTING THE INTERESTS OF OVER 1,500 IOWA BUSINESSES EMPLOYING 300,000 IOWANS; AND BY THE ASSOCIATED GENERAL CONTRACTORS OF IOWA... THE PUBLIC'S PARTNER IN BUILDING IOWA'S HIGHWAY, BRIDGE, AND MUNICIPAL UTILITY INFRASTRUCTURE.