No Clear Timetable for Legislative Adjournment

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — While the timetable for adjournment in the Iowa Legislature remains up in the air, lawmakers in many other states have more clear schedules to follow.

Leaders in the Republican-led House and Democratic-majority Senate reported to the state Capitol on Wednesday as they continue to negotiate a budget deal. The timing for conclusion is unclear. Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, a Democrat from Council Bluffs, says there was still a “serious gap” between the two sides.

Daily expense payments for lawmakers ended May 1, but the real final deadline is July 1, when the new budget year starts. In many other states there are more strict rules regarding the number of days to meet or a fixed time to finish work. Still, there can be ways to work around those rules.