Branhagen: For the most part, state government is working

State Represntative Darrell Branhagen of Decorah says his first legislative session has taught him that state government is in good hands.

In a newsletter to constituents, Branhagen says, "the House, the Senate, the Governor's office, the Supreme Court, both parties, and the press...play in the sandbox very well together. Yes, sometimes we fight each other, but almost always in good faith and sometimes even with humor. There is a reason that Iowa, unlike many states, can always balance its budget, has a remarkably low unemployment rate, and a people who like to work for a living, and not for the government."

Branhagen does have one comment about the way issues are discussed in Des Moines: "In my opinion there seems a real aversion to hard, verifiable data in the passing of much legislation, both in new law as well in budget matters. This has to be changed, and there was real effort this year...to dig into historical, accurate and current facts in the justification for bills. However, we all know that it is far easier to justify one's beliefs (and votes) by anecdotes rather than statistics, and on passion rather than persuasion."