Branstad says 'long way to go' before lawmakers adjourn

DES MOINES – Gov. Terry Branstad did not offer much hope Tuesday for any quick resolution of differences on major issues that are holding up adjournment of the 2011 legislative session.

The GOP governor described his closed-door meeting with Senate Democratic leaders as “cordial” but he added “we've got a long ways to go.”

“I think we're making progress,” Branstad told reporters. “It's going to take patience and perseverance on everybody's part to get it worked out.”

Iowa lawmakers are into their first week of overtime having run past last Friday's target date for adjournment.

The list of unresolved issues facing the split-control Legislature include finalizing a budget proposal that complies with the governor's demand for a biennial spending plan, setting education funding for one or two school years, providing property tax relief, reshaping economic development efforts into a public-private partnership and possibly debating legislation banning late-term abortions. Other issues dealing with nuclear energy and secret videotaping at animal livestock facilities also are awaiting Senate debate.

Sen. Bob Dvorsky, D-Coralville, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said he expected the session would spill into next week given the slow progress that's being made in talks with the governor and majority House Republicans.

Branstad indicated Tuesday that time should not be a factor in finalizing this year's legislative work.

“I think we all have an obligation to the citizens of Iowa to do our best,” he said. “We need to make sure that what we do is sustainable for the long term and we also need to prevent this massive property tax increase that is pending if we don't take action from occurring. So I'm hopeful that it can get worked out but we still have a long ways to go.”