What's going on in Iowa?

[Athelwulf]

I'd like an update on the progress of the equal marriage foes in Iowa.

I know they tried at least once to get a vote on a constitutional amendment in the legislature, and I know they failed. Have there been any further attempts, or will there be later on? Or is the issue pretty much dead until the next legislature is elected in 2010? If this is the case, does this mean there cannot be a people's vote until 2013 or 2014?

Also, a regularly scheduled constitutional convention vote is coming up in 2010, right? Is there movement on that front?

[MineralMan]

1. If I understood it correctly at the time,

amendments must pass the legislature twice, in two separate legislative terms. Then it goes to a vote of the people. I don't think that's very likely at all. Given the difficulty of getting it through the legislature twice, I expect same-sex marriage to be available in Iowa from now on. At some point, there will be enough married couples to make ending the practice impractical.

This information is from my reading at the time it was legalized.

[Athelwulf]

2. That pretty much jives with what I know.

I wouldn't underestimate Iowa, to be honest. Nothing against Iowa, really. If I've learned anything from Prop 8, it's that one shouldn't underestimate any state. If the majority of the people in California, of all places, are willing to take away equal marriage, I think Iowans will definitely find a way to conquer their barrier. I understand that Iowa has a progressive tradition, but the state voted for Bush in 2004.

[rurallib]

3. Constitutional convention would have to be voted on at the next general election

and then I believe the legislature would set the time and agenda. So with Dems in charge it is possible that same-sex marriage would not even be on the agenda. There is also a good possibility that some of the Repug hot button issues could end up on the agenda and the whole ploy could backfire.
As for the ammendment via legislative/ general vote: With Mike Gronstal in charge of the senate it will never get to the floor. And it looks like he will be in charge of the Senate at lest until 2011 and probably until 2013. So the soonest that may happen would be 2014 GE.

BTW, we are still in one piece and frankly hardly anyone mentions it anymore.