MORE RESIGNATIONS AND MOUNTING FALLOUT FROM BILL DIX SCANDAL

https://iowastartingline.com/2018/03/14/more-resignations-and-mounting-fallout-from-bill-dix-scandal/

The consequences of now-former Senate Majority Leader Bill Dix’s relationship with a lobbyist did not end with just with his abrupt resignation. Ripple effects from the scandal that shook the Statehouse continue to be felt in the Capitol and beyond. Here’s what’s happening:

Top Senate Aide Steps Down

Ed Failor, the senior aide to former Senator Dix, announced late Tuesday afternoon that he was resigning from his position. He explained that he wanted the new Republican leader (who will be selected today) to be able to put together his own team in the office. Some members of the Republican caucus were reportedly frustrated with Failor for what they saw as his poor handling of the Kirsten Anderson sexual harassment issue, though it does sound like Failor’s decision on Tuesday was his own.

His departure, however, is not as simple as just some staffer resigning. Failor used to run the very influential Iowans For Tax Relief organization and he wielded significant power behind the scenes in the Legislature, which he joined on staff in 2012. Some Democrats who work up at the Statehouse saw him as a mastermind behind some of Senate Republicans’ most successful strategies and policy objectives. His resignation means that another power center has left the Capitol, one that others may try to quickly fill.

Legislative Agenda Thrown Into Chaos

Beyond the palace intrigue aspect of the Dix scandal fallout at the Capitol, the biggest real world impact for Iowans may be that a lot of Republicans’ most conservative and controversial bills will die in the turmoil this year. The Dix scandal came at a particularly inopportune time, as this is the week of the second funnel at the Statehouse, a time when a slew of bills need to cross more procedural hurdles in order to stay alive in the hopes of getting passed. It’s typically one of the busiest weeks of any session, but committee meetings were cancelled left and right on Monday as legislators reassessed where things stood.

right before the big finale - what great timing. Maybe this will blunt the Reich's wrecking ball for Iowa. The Koch won't get their way for a change maybe.