House speaker to step down early

House Speaker Ron Corbett plans to step down from that job before the legislature adjourns this year so his expected successor can take over the job. Corbett, a republican from Cedar Rapids, announced earlier this year that he’ll resign in May to become president of the Cedar Rapids Chamber ofCommerce. Since then, Corbett’s role has been visibly reduced at the statehouse. House Majority Leader Brent Siegrist of Council Bluffs is the heir apparent to Corbett’s job. Corbett says he’ll resign a couple of days before the legislature adjourns this year. Corbett hopes thespecial election to fill his seat in the legislature is held on June 29th –the same day a statewide vote will be held on two proposed constitutional amendments. He says it’ll save Linn County taxpayers the expense of holdinga separate election.