Iowa House ends discussion of selling Pollock's 'Mural'

House Appropriations Chairman Scott Raecker, R-Urbandale, announced Monday he is dropping discussion of a proposal to sell the University of Iowa's Jackson Pollock painting, “Mural,” as a way to fund up to 750 full-ride scholarship every year in perpetuity.

“The discussion of the potential sale of the Jackson Pollock painting is certainly controversial, yet warrants discussion, as even members of the Board of Regents are split on the idea,” he said. ” I am a firm believer in the legislative process however, and further discussion of the sale of the Pollock painting will not be moved forward this year.”

The decisions to cease debate of House File 84 that called for selling the painting for no less than $120 million and a stipulation that it be displayed on campus for three months every four years was a “collective decision” he reached with House leadership and the majority Republican caucus.

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