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Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bob Vander Plaats has renewed his promise to end same-sex marriage with an executive order, even if it means facing impeachment.

Appearing on the show of controversial Christian radio host Steve Deace, Vander Plaats once again said if elected governor in 2010 he would issue an executive order stopping same-sex marriage until the [...]

“We do have to face the voters, but we also have to face ourselves every morning,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal. “We have to be able to look ourselves in the mirror every day. And by the way, we didn’t do this for the GLBT community. We did this for everybody.”

Democrats hope to put the finishing touches on a $700 million bonding proposal in the final days of the 2009 session, as three separate bills make their way through the process.

There will be no debate in the Iowa Senate this session on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage, Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, and House Speaker Pat Murphy, D-Dubuque, praised the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision today legalizing same-sex marriage, saying the only lasting question is “why it took us so long.”
“It is a tough question to answer because treating everyone fairly is really a matter of Iowa common sense and Iowa [...]

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.

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver has officially come out against the National Popular Vote bill currently being considered in the state Senate. His staff released the following statement.

“I’ve not seen much interest inside our caucus in proceeding with the sale of the lottery,” Iowa Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal said. “I’ve always thought that was kind of a long shot. It continues to be a long shot.”

Legislators expect to make deeper cuts than Gov. Chet Culver asked for in his budget proposal, cuts that could include programs the governor left out.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal announced that all committee and floor action in the Senate on Wednesday has been canceled so that senators and staff may attend Sen. Mary Lundby’s funeral, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday at St. Joe’s Catholic Church, 1790 14th St., in Marion.
Lundby died Saturday after a long battle with [...]