The 2008 Iowa legislative session concluded early Saturday. The Senate adjourned at 2:32 a.m. and the House followed nine minutes later.
One of the final acts of the House was to reject a Senate-led bid to assist Iowans who believe they’ve been denied access to public information, or who believe a city council, county board of supervisors or other government body has violated Iowa’s open meetings law. The proposal was part of a government openness effort launched two years ago when a pay scandal erupted at a central Iowa job training agency. Secrecy questions surrounding the University of Iowa’s recent search for a new president also sparked concerns.