No progress made in Statehouse budget talks

It’s Tuesday so there’s one day down in this work week but there’s been no progress in the legislature’s showdown over state spending. House and Senate leaders didn’t even meet privately yesterday to talk about how to resolve their differences. Senate Co-Leader Stewart Iverson, a Republican from Dows, concedes there’s not much for legislators to do until the leaders get their minds made up. “It’s only realistic at some point we’ve got to sit down and work it out,” Iverson says. “When is that point in time? I don’t know whether it’s going to be this week, this month or next month or whenever.” So when might legislative leaders actually sit around a table and make some decisions? “That’s the million dollar question. We’re here. We’re available. We’re ready,” Iverson said, speaking for himself and Senate Co-President Jeff Lamberti, a Republican from Ankeny. Governor Vilsack has said he’s been advised to steer clear of House Speaker Christopher Rants, a Republican from Sioux City, because Rants isn’t happy with the way the budget negotiations are going.