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Asked whether the Iowa Legislature might raise taxes in 2010, Democratic Sen. Mike Gronstal said simply: “No.” Then it was Republican Sen. Paul McKinley’s turn, and he said, “I want to thank Sen. Gronstal for saying no.”

So if the promise isn’t carved in stone, it’s at least laser-etched in aluminum.

IowaPolitics.com hosted a legislative panel last week at Drake University, and the overarching theme was: We’re going to focus on the state budget, find ways to cut spending and go home on time.

Gronstal, McKinley, Republican Rep. Dave Deyoe and Democratic Rep. Kevin McCarthy answered questions for an hour before a small audience in one of many such sessions on the December schedule.

On the question of raising gasoline taxes, McCarthy said, “The governor has made it abundantly clear that he would veto” any increase, so there’s no point wasting time on the issue.

On the deductibility of federal income taxes from Iowans’ state income tax bill, McCarthy said, “It’s probably a good idea to get rid of that weird coupling – but this session is probably not the time.”

McCarthy said a combination of Gov. Chet Culver’s recommended budget cuts and more that will come up in the Legislature could add up to $250 million in savings.

Deyoe and McKinley both pointed out that Republicans offered a number of cuts last year that were ignored. “I hope (the budget cutting) isn’t just cost-shifting,” McKinley said. “We’ve grown more government than our revenue can support.”

The four seemed within handshake distance on a possible sale of the state-owned Iowa Communications Network. Gronstal voiced concern about getting a “fire sale” price for the $180 million project, but said, “Everything’s got to be on the table this session.”

So our optimistic view is this: The budget pressures will force cooperation, and we’ll come out of this with a more streamlined government, not a crippled one.