Republican Governor Terry Branstad has issued a sort of public ultimatum for Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal. Branstad talked with reporters in Decorah this afternoon about the property tax reform plan that cleared the Republican-led House Monday night but appears to be going nowhere in the Senate.
“If the Senate fails to do what Senator Gronstal has agreed to do with us, then I think there’s a good reason to change control of the Senate to somebody that will,” Branstad said in Decorah. “I believe the voters of Iowa will be very angry at Senate Democrats.”
House Speaker Kraig Paulsen — the top Republican in the legislature — has said the House Republicans’ bill “conforms” to the agreement he and Branstad struck with Gronstal and serves as the Republicans’ final offer. Branstad seems to share those sentiments.
“If the Senate Democrats fail to take it up or pass it, I think the onus is going to be on them for failing to do what they promised they were going to do and we’re going to hold them accountable,” Branstad said in Decorah.
On Monday and today — in a span of about 26 hours, Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds held five town hall meetings in eastern Iowa to tout the need for property tax reform, concluding with a town hall at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah at 12:30 this afternoon.
By Darin Svenson, KDEC, Decorah