Three weeks have passed since the Iowa legislature was supposed to adjourn for the year, and Democratic Senate leaders are nowhere near a final deal with Republican House leaders or Governor Terry Branstad. It’s common for the endgame at the statehouse to take a few extra days, but I had expected more progress toward a grand budget compromise by now. Democrats want at least some allowable growth for school budgets, but Republicans insist Iowa can’t afford any increase–despite the fact that state surpluses at the end of the current fiscal year will be larger than projected.

Some compromise will have to be found over the next six weeks to avoid huge problems when the 2012 fiscal year begins on July 1. A detailed post on disputes over the state budget is in progress, but for now feel free to do some scenario spinning in the comments.

This is an open thread. What’s on your mind this weekend, Bleeding Heartland readers?

It’s a great time to get out and enjoy nature in Iowa, especially if you like wildflowers. Bluebells are mostly done for the year, but there are still a few spring beauties around. Columbine, mayapples (umbrella plants) and Virginia waterleaf are among the wildflowers hitting their stride right now. We recently discovered some big patches of wild ginger blooming too.