Mike Gronstal (file photo)
You may have heard about the bill that calls for a bit of state-government retribution for Stanford University over a controversial half-time show at the Rose Bowl that ridiculed Iowans.
This is how Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal laughed yesterday when a reporter asked about the bill.
“Next question,” Gronstal said.
Senator Mark Chelgren, a Republican from Ottumwa, says the Stanford band’s show offended Iowans — and Stanford owes the state an apology. His bill would forbid the University of Iowa, Iowa State and UNI from collaborating with Stanford researchers until Stanford apologizes. Gronstal does not plan to bring the bill up for a vote.
“It’s absurd,” Gronstal said.
And Gronstal suggests the senate may act on another piece of legislation.
“Senators from southern Iowa,” Gronstal said, a reference to Chelgren, “we ought to have a resolution to ask more of them have a sense of humor.”
Iowa lost to Stanford 45-16 in the Rose Bowl.