Life & Death at the Statehouse

The fury of activity this week at the statehouse is designed to end consideration of bills that do not have enough support to be voted out of their committee of origin. Proposals that do earn a majority of committee member votes are then advanced and placed on the debate calendar for consideration. The next deadline in the legislative “funnel” comes in three weeks when bills must be voted out of committee in the other chamber.

In other news, Republicans in both chambers employed a parliamentary procedural to attempt to force debate on a proposal to amend the constitution as it relates to the definition of marriage in Iowa. The attempt was defeated by Democrats who, with the exception of one member in each house, voted to block consideration of the measure.

Business interests became more alarmed this week after legislation to require sick leave for employees was advanced in the Iowa Senate. This follows the announcement last week that action would begin on the so called “Fair Share” legislation and a bill to require “prevailing wage” on certain construction projects.