Battle over legislature could be Iowa’s big story of the year

There is no statewide race this year, and Iowa’s Congressmen appear poised for low-key re-election contests. The big political battle this year in Iowa is over which party will control the majority of seats in the legislature. Republicans presently hold majority control in the House and Senate. But democrats say having a democrat Governor for the first time in 30 years is helping their cause. Senate Democrat Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs has been campaigning. He says he’s build callouses on his knuckles from door knocking.House Democrat Leader Dave Schrader of Monroe says voters tell him they’re upset the Republican-led legislature skimped on the budgets for the University of Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I — and that will be a campaign issue this fall. He says sending a kid to college is a major hurdle for many families.It’ll be tough for democrats to press the issue, however, as Governor Vilsack also suggested giving the Regents universities less to cover salary increases. The party which has the most seats in the Iowa House and Senate gets to control the legislature’s debate agenda.