Around Des Moines

As Week 14 of the Iowa State legislature’s 2008 session ended I was gleeful that certain legislation had been called dead. Then some of those bills were passed the next week. Week 15 saw the 100th day of the session on Tuesday, April 22nd, and the end of the session on Friday, April 25th. (The Senate adjourned at 2:32 a.m. and the House at 2:38 a.m.) The 100th day is important because that is the last day when legislators are paid a per diem for travel and other expenses. Now that the legislative session is over, Gov. Chet Culver has 30 days to either sign or to veto bills sent to him. If Culver does not sign or veto a piece of legislation, that bill becomes law without his signature at the end of the 30 days.

Following the legislative session for these AroundDesMoines.com weekly recaps reinforced what I had learned from other projects. Much of what we call news is merely the reporting of news releases or other formal statements (e.g., House Journals and floor debates). Moreover, there are many more actions and events generating news than can possibly be included in any newspaper or in any broadcast times slot or on any broadband page. Much of what I, as a private citizen, needed to know could be learned by looking at the General Assembly’s website three or four times a week. However, ordinary citizens do not have the time to look at all the legislation introduced, assigned to committees, put on floor calendars, and sent to the governor. In addition, the priorities placed on the various bills was something not possible to ascertain just from the official record. This is where reporters on the scene were useful.

In the list of enrolled bills (those that passed both chambers of the legislature) for 2008, there are 82 bills originated in the House and 86 bills originated in the Senate. In addition, there are three joint resolutions that originated in the Senate. Two of the resolutions give permission for wine and/or beer to be served on the Capitol grounds during specific ceremonial events. The third resolution is for a constitutional amendment related to funding for natural resources. Look for the latter resolution to appear again next year when a new General Assembly begins. Iowa’s constitution requires proposed amendments to be passed in two consecutive General Assemblies before going before voters.

Just because the legislators have headed home does not mean their work is done. There are studies the legislature authorized and elections to be held. Stay in the habit of checking the General Assembly’s website while the legislature is not in session. Interesting information can still be posted there.

I know my coverage of the legislative session was not as extensive as I would have liked but I hope that I helped Iowans better understand what happens during the session, when it happens, and why. I’d like to hear what people thought about news coverage of the session in general.

M.R. Field covers local events for AroundDesMoines.com.