A visibly frustrated Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, Wednesday night called Republican opposition to a $175 million bonding plan “unbelievable,” saying the party is simply engaging in obstructionism.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal speaking from the floor

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal speaking from the floor of the Senate Wednesday night.

The Iowa Senate passed the bonding plan to fund upgrades at corrections facilities across the state, improvements at the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown, several state Department of Natural Resources projects and repairs and maintenance at state facilities. Democrats contend that the money will create 5,000 jobs. Republicans say the plan spends too much on unneeded projects.

All 18 Republican Senators voted against the measure.

“I can’t believe the ‘no’s’ we’re hearing out of you folks,” Gronstal said from the floor of the Senate. “As our unemployment rate climbs in the state of Iowa, your ‘no’ vote tonight is a ‘no’ to 5,000 jobs in this state. I can’t believe Republicans are ‘no’ to jobs, ‘no’ to veterans and ‘no’ to being tough on crime. Unbelievable. “

The Legislature voted last year to borrow money for the same projects using bonds backed by tobacco settlement money. Gronstal said the new plan, which issues annual appropriation bonds, is a better deal for taxpayers because the tobacco money may shrink over time as less and less Iowans smoke.

“I hear all of this talk that now is the wrong time,” he said. “Now is the wrong time to take care of our veterans? I hope all you guys do vote ‘no.’ Iowans will know it’s brave talk about supporting our veterans, but where the money meets the road you guys say ‘No, we’re not going to take care of our veterans.’  When it comes time to talk about corrections, you guys are always tough on crime. Well, we have to lock them up someplace. Do you care about that? Do you care about the safety of our citizens?”

The bill is the first piece of Gov. Chet Culver’s $750 million bonding plan.