Pubdate: Tue, 16 Mar 1999 Source: Omaha World-Herald (NE) Copyright: 1999 Omaha World-Herald Company. Contact: http://www.omaha.com/ Forum: http://chat.omaha.com/ METH AGAIN TOPS WORKWEEK IOWA Lawmakers And The Governor Also Will Resume Their Talks On An Education Package; Coming Up Having cleared its first self-imposed deadline, the Legislature this week once again turns to its crusade against methamphetamine even as budget talks begin to get serious. Both majority Republicans in the Legislature and Democratic Gov. Tom Vilsack have vowed to approve a comprehensive $3.3 million plan that boosts law enforcement efforts, as well as treatment and education. There was some initial disagreement, but the two sides hammered out an agreement that is rocketing through the Legislature. The Senate approved the treatment and education initiatives unanimously last week, and the House is set to dramatically toughen penalties for making and selling the drug. "The major bill will be the methamphetamine punishment bill," said House Majority Leader Brent Siegrist, R-Council Bluffs. The centerpiece of that package is a 99-year prison term for those selling the drug to youngsters. A second offense brings life without the possibility of parole, under the measure. It's expected to get easy approval in the House this week, and the entire package is likely to land on Vilsack's desk soon. With the deadline for getting bills out of committee behind them, lawmakers are free to focus on budget issues, including the key issue of bolstering schools. Vilsack and lawmakers don't agree on a package aimed at reducing elementary class sizes and improving reading programs, but the two sides are engaged in intense talks. With a newly elected Democratic governor and continued Republican control of the Legislature, neither side is interested in a messy stalemate. "We will get a school bill," Vilsack said. "I think Republican leaders understand the importance of investing in children." Both have said partisan gridlock in Washington has set the standard for what they want to avoid. "Legislative leaders and the executive branch have worked very hard establish a relationship where things get done," Vilsack said. "The public is tired of partisan politics, they're tired of bickering." Legislative leaders confirmed that they're narrowing differences with Vilsack. "We're coming closer together," said Senate Majority Leader Stewart Iverson, R-Dows. "We're trying to work this out with the governor," said House Speaker Ron Corbett, R-Cedar Rapids. While there has been some shouting between the two sides over state spending, the differences are relatively minor given the size of the $4.6 billion state budget, and leaders said they'll begin moving some of this measures this week. "We've got a reasonably good handle on the budget," Siegrist said. Also this week, lawmakers will take a hard look at the state's election laws. A House panel has approved a measure toughening penalties for voting fraud and putting some restrictions on absentee voting. That same measure would close registration a month before an election. Backers said the measure is needed because of growing worries about electoral fraud, while critics said fraud is rare. With voter turnout at record lows, making it more difficult to vote makes little sense, critics argue. The House will sort through those issues during a public hearing Wednesday. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek Rea