New leaders take over Iowa Senate posts

The two most powerful committees in the Iowa Senate will have new leaders in January. Both men are promising strict fiscal responsibility. Republican Jeff Lamberti of Ankeny will chair the Senate Appropriations Committee. He says his goal is to keep a tight rein the state budget.The new position on the powerful committee could be a stepping stone to higher office. Lamberti admits that’s true, but says that’s not his immediate goal.Republican Larry McKibben of Marshalltown will chair the Senate Ways and Means Committee — which helps write tax policy. McKibben says he’d like to see some sort of tax cut.McKibben says the state can cut taxes and still have enough money to raise teacher pay.