Iowa Legislative Session One Week Away

By Mark Geary, Reporter

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By Mark Geary

Story Created: Jan 6, 2008 at 7:38 PM CST

Story Updated: Jan 6, 2008 at 7:38 PM CST

IOWA -- The Iowa Caucuses are over, but state political talks are just about to begin.

The state legislative session starts in about a week.

Lawmakers told TV9 they plan to discuss everything from smoking to highways to education. So, expect some lively debates.

Iowa's highway system needs upgrades and repairs, but those renovations could cost more than the state can afford.

"That's 200 million dollars. How they raise that money will be the stumbling point," Rep. Dick Taylor (D) said.

An extra tax could be the answer.

"One cent on the gasoline tax -- you'd hardly even notice it because the prices jump or fall six to seven cents a day," Taylor said.

Lawmakers also expect to talk about ways to make it easier for drivers to pump ethanol into their vehicles.

"There's tens of thousands of vehicles in Iowa right now that could run on E85, but they really don't have access to the infrastructure where they can go buy it," Rep. Kraig Paulsen (R) said.

Conversations about banning or limiting smoking in public places could also keep the legislature busy.

"That will remain to be seen whether some sort of compromise is resolved on that or not, but no question, it will be debated," Paulsen said.

Lawmakers' time is limited to only a few months, and they don't expect to cover everything this time around.

"My expectation, based on the dialog going on right now, is that by the end of the session, we will have done little or nothing about property tax issues in the state," Paulsen said.

So, before this year's session even begins, legislators are already thinking about 2009.

The legislators also told TV9 they expect to talk about ways to make education and health care more affordable. However, given the state's already tight budget,

Iowa may have to rely on the federal government for health care help.

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