DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – Senate Republicans argued a bill passed by the chamber Wednesday will help prevent government shutdowns in Iowa similar to those seen in Washington, D.C., but Democrats called the measure a “blatant power grab” that would allow the GOP majority to refuse to negotiate with a potential future Democratic governor.
House File 2694, when it was passed by the House, proposed a variety of restrictions on gubernatorial powers. This includes limiting the ability of an Iowa governor to order the closure of places of worship or restrict private businesses’ operations during public health crises. The governor could not require vaccines, or authorize changes in election law, policies or regulations without legislators’ approval.
The Senate amended the measure with a major change Wednesday, adding language from another bill, Senate File 2461. This language would establish a continuing appropriation providing funding for the state if a budget is not enacted before the next fiscal year begins on July 1. The funding through the continuing appropriation would be based on the budget approved during the preceding fiscal year, as determined by the state Department of Management in consultation with the Legislative Services Agency.
The language was amended during floor debate to specify that the continuing appropriations will only go into effect if the Legislature has passed and presented a budget to the governor, but that budget has not been enacted. Sen. Lynn Evans, R-Aurelia, said this change “puts the onus on the Legislature to still work to pass a budget on time, but also protects taxpayers if it’s not enacted by July 1.”
The bill passed in a 30-15 vote. It moves back to the House for consideration of the amendment.
