IOWA LAWMAKERS VOW TO AVOID STATE SHUTDOWN

SIOUXLAND—AFTER MEETING FOR 13 WEEKS, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS IN THE IOWA LEGISLATURE HAVE YET TO AGREE ON SPENDING LEVELS FOR NEXT YEAR’S STATE BUDGET, BUT THE TOP TWO LEADERS SAY THEY’LL BE NO GOVERNMENT SHUT-DOWN HERE.

HOUSE SPEAKER KRAIG PAULSEN, A REPUBLICAN FROM HIAWATHA, SAYS THERE’S A HEALTHY DIALOGUE AT THE STATEHOUSE.

SENATE DEMOCRATIC LEADER MIKE GRONSTAL OF COUNCIL BLUFFS SAYS THERE WILL NOT BE ANYTHING LIKE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN THAT’S LOOMING.

GOVERNOR BRANSTAD HAS VOWED TO VETO BUDGET BILLS HE DOESN’T LIKE AND CALL LEGISLATORS BACK INTO SPECIAL SESSION UNTIL HE GETS WHAT HE WANTS, A SHOWDOWN THAT COULD RESULT IN A SHUTDOWN IF IT’S NOT RESOLVED BY JUNE 30TH.