State lawmakers have begun drumming up support for initiatives on key issues in preparation for the next legislative session, set to begin in January.

The second regular session of the 81st Iowa General Assembly will convene Jan. 9 at the Capitol in Des Moines.

Republican lawmakers announced in late November a plan to reinstate the death penalty in Iowa, but Senate Democratic Floor Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, who opposes capital punishment, said he would block debate on the issue.

Senate Republican Floor Leader Stewart Iverson, of Dows, said he thinks the death penalty is a viable option in some situations.

“Personally, I think that when rape, murder and kidnapping happen, the death penalty can be warranted in the name of justice,” Iverson said.

Democratic lawmakers said the death penalty debate amounts to little more than a political ploy meant to call attention to politicians before elections in November.

“It’s going to be an election year and I can see signs of people who want to posture and there’s a potential for people to grandstand,” said Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames.

Quirmbach said he doesn’t think capital punishment will receive enough support in the Senate to make it worth debating.

“Unless I see a showing that there is enough support to pass it, I don’t think it’s worth bringing up,” he said. “It destroys the working environment in the Senate.”

Iverson said the Senate should debate reinstating capital punishment.

“There are issues we agree on every day and there are ones we disagree on,” he said. “One thing we need to understand is that you shouldn’t take it personally. That’s part of the process. We’re there to debate.”

A study released Monday by the National Education Association, the country’s largest teachers union, reported that Iowa’s average teacher salary dropped three spots from last year to 41st in the nation.

Quirmbach said he was concerned by the report’s findings and plans to work toward reversing the current trend.

“Teachers’ salary is important,” he said. “Paying our teachers 41st in the country is OK if we’re willing to settle for the 41st education, but we’re not.”

He said he would increase funding to K-12 education by re-evaluating other allocations that may not be necessary.

“The way I approach budget issues is service-driven,” he said. “If we’ve got money in the revenue stream, fine. If we don’t, we need to consider which of those services we’re willing to pay for and which we may not be.”

Rep. Lisa Heddens, D-Ames, said she supports increased allocations for teachers’ salaries that would come from the general fund.

“We have a strong education system, but we need to start paying the teachers for what they’re doing and we need to look at our general fund for that,” she said.

Rep. Jim Kurtenbach, R-Nevada, said he plans to work for improvement of Iowa’s economy through an overhaul of Iowa’s tax code.

“I want to lower Iowa’s overall tax burden for individuals and businesses,” he said. “Iowa has a large number of tax categories, so the tax rates for each category appear competitive, but the burden is still a significant portion of Iowa workers’ wages. I want to change both how and what we tax.”

Kurtenbach said an overhaul of Iowa’s property tax system would encourage economic growth.

“Property tax is crippling commercial development in this state,” he said.

Rep. Beth Wessel-Kroeschel, D-Ames, said Iowa’s economic future may be tied to renewable energy.

“I’d like to see Iowa be the leader in research of renewable energy sources,” she said. “Because it’s such a big issue after the hurricanes and the high gas prices, I think this is an opportunity for Iowa.”

She said research done at Iowa universities needs to focus not only on ethanol, but on other renewable energy sources.

“Ethanol seems to be the biggest focus right now, but I think we need to diversify that with wind or biodiesel,” she said. “It’s an opportunity for Regents institutions to shine because they’ve done a lot of research in the area already.”

Republican members of the Iowa House announced Monday that they are considering alternatives to help businesses provide affordable health insurance for their employees. Under the plan, businesses would be allowed to team together to buy health insurance. GOP lawmakers representing Story County said they are interested in the proposal.

Kurtenbach said the National Federation for Independent Business, a national advocate for small businesses, supports the initiative.

“I’d have to see the bill drafted, but that organization tends to be very business friendly,” Kurtenbach said. “I generally support their initiatives.”

Iverson said he would support such an initiative.

“I think pooling makes sense,” he said. “It’s something that will hold down the price of health insurance. I’m certainly willing to take a look at that.”

Wessel-Kroeschel said Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, has put together a similar plan that would allow Iowa schools to pool.

“Small businesses have a hard time paying insurance,” Wessel-Kroeschel said. “It’s becoming an economic deterrent that the state needs to do something about.”

She said Vilsack intends to pay for his initiative by raising taxes on cigarettes by 80 cents per pack.

Quirmbach said he approves of the cigarette tax.

“I would be willing to support that,” he said. “We need the revenue, but that tax is even more beneficial because it convinces young people not to start smoking.”