The People's Business

DES MOINES – Using a little-known provision of Iowa’s open records law, we have obtained personal “to-do” lists from several high-ranking state officials. These lists, snatched from their laptops, PDAs and simple desk pads, offer keen insight into the moves and motives of our leaders at this critical time.

History will thank us.

Governor Tom Vilsack

1. Fly to Pittsburgh to speak to gathering of Democratic activists.

2. Fly to Phoenix to meet with Democratic Governor’s Association.

3. Fly to Florida to deliver speech on biotechnology.

4. Hire a Washington consultant to run my political action committee.

5. Remind reporters how foolish it is to speculate on my political future with so many important issues to focus on here.

6. Have staff create a massive flow chart showing how the solution for every world conflict and crisis can be tied to the revival of an Iowa Values Fund.

7. Explain to reporters (again) how my early childhood education plan can give every Iowan a lush, green lawn, whiter teeth and unbeatable broadleaf protection.

8. Speculate on my political future.

House Speaker Christopher Rants

1. Blame Senate Democrats for blocking popular House legislation, like that bill allowing bosses to test their employees’ hair for traces of illegal drugs.

2. Check e-mail (again) for public outcry.

3. Blame Senate Democrats for blocking a deal on the state budget.

4. Accuse Senate Democrats of favoring an irresponsible tax increase to bankroll state employee pay hikes.

5. Have a state employee bring me some lunch and an ice cold soda.

6. Tell reporters that Senate Democrats are responsible for work zone delays, mosquitoes and high gas prices.

6. Cancel May and June tee times.

7. Buy summer “gavel fan” from Speakers’ Supply catalogue.

Senate Republican Leader Stewart Iverson

1. Am I strongly opposed to a cigarette tax increase? You bet I am.

2. Painstakingly build a budget plan without a cigarette tax increase.

3. Spend hours in caucus convincing wavering Republicans to oppose it.

3. Defeat it on a 25-25 vote.

4. Use that vote to target “tax and spend” Democrats in 2006.

5. Take back the majority.

6. Take a smoke break.

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal

1. Shave mustache to look more gubernatorial.

2. Stake out “common ground” between Democrats and Republicans on major legislative issues.

3. Reserve room for intense but fruitful negotiations.

4. Order donuts.

5. Brew coffee.

6. Wait for Republicans to arrive.

7. Keep waiting.

8. Wait some more.

9. Buy more nicotine gum.

Sen. Larry McKibben, R-Marshalltown

1. Accuse Senate Democrats of being soft on sex offenders.

2. Accuse Gov. Tom Vilsack of being soft on sex offenders.

3. Accuse state bureaucrats of being soft on sex offenders.

4. Accuse a statehouse tour group, the nighttime cleaning crew, Senate pages, a groundskeeper, a passing jogger, a tourist seeking directions and a guy at the Burger King drive-through window of being soft on sex offenders.

Funny, none of their to-do lists included hammering out a thoughtful bipartisan compromise to end the legislative session on time. Go figure.

Todd Dorman is Statehouse bureau chief for Lee Enterprises newspapers. He can be reached at (515) 243-0138 or by e-mail at todd.dorman@lee.net.