METH AGAIN TOPS WORKWEEK IOWA

Lawmakers And The Governor Also Will
Resume Their Talks On An Education Package; Coming Up

Having cleared its first self-imposed deadline, the Legislature this
week once again turns to its crusade against methamphetamine even as
budget talks begin to get serious.

Both majority Republicans in the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom
Vilsack have vowed to approve a comprehensive $3.3 million plan that
boosts law enforcement efforts, as well as treatment and education.

There was some initial disagreement, but the two sides hammered out an
agreement that is rocketing through the Legislature. The Senate
approved the treatment and education initiatives unanimously last
week, and the House is set to dramatically toughen penalties for
making and selling the drug.

"The major bill will be the methamphetamine punishment bill," said
House Majority Leader Brent Siegrist, R-Council Bluffs.

The centerpiece of that package is a 99-year prison term for those
selling the drug to youngsters. A second offense brings life without
the possibility of parole, under the measure.

It's expected to get easy approval in the House this week, and the
entire package is likely to land on Vilsack's desk soon.

With the deadline for getting bills out of committee behind them,
lawmakers are free to focus on budget issues, including the key issue
of bolstering schools.

Vilsack and lawmakers don't agree on a package aimed at reducing
elementary class sizes and improving reading programs, but the two
sides are engaged in intense talks. With a newly elected Democratic
governor and continued Republican control of the Legislature, neither
side is interested in a messy stalemate.

"We will get a school bill," Vilsack said. "I think Republican leaders
understand the importance of investing in children."

Both have said partisan gridlock in Washington has set the standard
for what they want to avoid.

"Legislative leaders and the executive branch have worked very hard
establish a relationship where things get done," Vilsack said. "The
public is tired of partisan politics, they're tired of bickering."

Legislative leaders confirmed that they're narrowing differences with
Vilsack.

"We're coming closer together," said Senate Majority Leader Stewart
Iverson, R-Dows.

"We're trying to work this out with the governor," said House Speaker
Ron Corbett, R-Cedar Rapids.

While there has been some shouting between the two sides over state
spending, the differences are relatively minor given the size of the
$4.6 billion state budget, and leaders said they'll begin moving some
of this measures this week.

"We've got a reasonably good handle on the budget," Siegrist
said.

Also this week, lawmakers will take a hard look at the state's
election laws. A House panel has approved a measure toughening
penalties for voting fraud and putting some restrictions on absentee
voting. That same measure would close registration a month before an
election.

Backers said the measure is needed because of growing worries about
electoral fraud, while critics said fraud is rare. With voter turnout
at record lows, making it more difficult to vote makes little sense,
critics argue.

The House will sort through those issues during a public hearing
Wednesday.