Key legislators are involved in a series of private meetings today as they try to strike final deals on a variety of issues, including a final state spending plan for the budgeting year that begins July 1, 2009.
The Iowa House has taken action on one measure so far this morning. It wasn’t a bill, though. It was a resolution urging congress to "buy American" when spending the money in the federal economic stimulus package.
Representative Todd Taylor of Cedar Rapids was the first of 10 Democrats to read the resolution aloud.
"This is a resolution urging the spending of federal economic recovery funds on products that are made and services that are performed in the United States," Taylor said.
Representative Sharon Steckman, a Democrat from Mason City, was fourth in line to speak.
"Our taxpayer dollars should be spent to maximize the creation of American jobs and restore the economic vitality to our communities," she said.
Listen to the entire three-and-a-half minute production by clicking on the audio link below.
Lawmakers hope this is the final week of the 2009 legislative session, but Governor Culver said Monday is will be "a while" — perhaps a "week or so" — before legislators can adjourn for the year.