Chronicle Editorial

By: 
Chronicle Staff

Passing on progress
 
     Despite initial optimism for a productive year, the Iowa Legislature stalled on a few key topics recently as the session inched toward adjournment.
     Things like water quality funding and medicinal cannabis oil expansion seemed poised to fail early this week due to a lack of consensus at the Statehouse. Though many lawmakers agreed these topics needed attention this year, they couldn’t agree on how to do it. Unfortunately, it is the people of Iowa who will suffer.
     Expansion of medicinal cannabis oil laws received tentative bipartisan support in Des Moines for the past few years. Though the substance is allowed in Iowa for severe medical conditions, state law makes the process of obtaining and using it extremely difficult, to say the least. Opponents list a variety of concerns when explaining their reluctance, but it all seems moot when you consider the stakes. By preventing clearer laws on medicinal cannabis oil, the Legislature is preventing thousands of sick Iowans from receiving a drug that could help them with severe pain, chronic illness and other conditions.
     Though medicinal cannabis only affects a narrow slice of the population, water quality touches everyone. Nobody – not the House, Senate or Gov. Terry Branstad – could come to terms on a plan that would generate funding for new water initiatives. That’s unfortunate, as the issue has reached a tipping point in Iowa. Making matters worse is the fact that both parties proposed plans to address the issue but failed to iron out their differences. This topic is one that should, and will, be at the forefront of the upcoming election. Iowa lawmakers should have developed a plan this year instead of waving the white flag and throwing up their hands. After all, they had plenty of options.
     Lawmakers could pass bills regarding water quality and medicinal cannabis oil before adjournment this year, but it’s unlikely. The Legislature’s failure to agree on these issues only works to prevent progress by sidestepping action on the inevitable. These topics will no doubt resurface next year with higher stakes and more public support. Lawmakers seem content to get out of Des Moines by passing a basic budget that does little to address some of the state’s most pressing problems.
     Of course, these are only two issues on a list of many others. Each Legislative session has its peaks and valleys, but 2016 seemed to flatline for three-straight months. Hopefully, our lawmakers will build on this year’s minor progress and set a progressive agenda in 2017 that addresses the state’s many concerns. Admittedly, we could be a lot worse for the wear and our problems pale in comparison to other states. However, we should not be content to stand idle. Continuing to improve our state by setting progressive targets will only improve the quality of life for those that call Iowa home.

Hampton Chronicle

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