Capitol update: Political pie-throwing

The touchy subject of school consolidation emerged in Iowa's race for governor last week with an ironic twist for Republican Jim Nussle.

Nussle told a task force exploring education reform in Iowa that he favors consolidating school administrative positions to save dollars needed in the classroom. It's hardly a new idea and politicians on both sides of the aisle have called for similar efficiencies.

But Democratic hopeful Chet Culver's campaign saw blood in the water. His running mate, Patty Judge, told a Davenport audience that Nussle's call for administrative streamlining "looks like's he's heading toward mandatory mergers."

Nothing raises the ire of small town Iowans faster than the idea of losing their local school because of a state edict.

Nussle denied that he favors forced school mergers and suggested that Judge may need a remedial reading course after reading too much into his comments.

But Nussle is only being served the same political medicine he doled out in 2004 after Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack dared to mention cooperation and consolidation as he sought to reform high schools.

It was Nussle's political action committee that ran radio ads across the state warning voters that Vilsack would force schools to consolidate if Democrats won control of the state Legislature. Nussle's charge was just as baseless then as Culver's is now.

The problem with all this political pie-throwing is Iowa politicians are scared to death of tackling an important issue. Lots of elected officials quietly believe the state has too many school districts. But don't expect them to say it out loud.

Education dollars are scarce, so finding efficiencies is crucial. There are a lot of creative ways to save dollars that don't involve forced mergers, but consolidation has to be part of the discussion. That can't happen if today's bold proposal is tomorrow's attack ad.

Mergers aren't the answer in many parts of the state. But there are also many districts with shrinking enrollments and growing financial problems that are in denial. They may need a gentle nudge from the state to do the right thing.

Of course candidates are free to hack away at one another as they wish. But the schoolyard demagoguery of the current campaign is already tiresome.

Culver floats the idea of investing a small percentage of state pension dollars in Iowa venture capital efforts. Nussle's campaign responds at 110 decibels to what it calls a risky scheme that will surely lead the pension system to ruin.

They've traded barb after barb over the minimum wage even though both candidates claim they support an increase.

Nussle's campaign actually sent out a release in June criticizing Culver for holding a convention for notaries this fall, as if the notary vote will ultimately decide the election.

And just wait to see what it will be like once you actually start paying attention.

Cheap Gas?

A lot of Iowans are rejoicing that gas prices have dropped in recent days to below $2.50 per-gallon in many parts of the state.

It's really remarkable how quickly we adapt and how soon we forget. In August 2004, the average price of regular unleaded gasoline in Iowa was $1.78, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

In August 2003 it was $1.54.

Todd Dorman is Statehouse

bureau chief for Lee

Enterprises newspapers.