Chronicle Editorial

Marching into Madness
 
This year’s exciting basketball season is guaranteed to get even crazier next week as all three of Iowa’s top schools charge into the NCAA Tournament.
     It’s been a thrilling year so far. Northern Iowa, Iowa State and Iowa have given us a memorable season that’s no doubt one of the best in recent history. This year will mark the first time since 2005 all three schools have made the Big Dance. That’s no small feat, and it gives basketball fans throughout the state plenty to look forward to as we rush head first into March Madness.
     The biggest story of the year comes out of Cedar Falls. Northern Iowa, led by Franklin County’s very own Seth Tuttle, has dominated its opponents with a suffocating defense and gritty offense, and most basketball gurus predict the Panthers will go deep in this year’s tournament. They’ve had a phenomenal year and it’s always great to see them succeed at such high levels. Northern Iowa often takes a backseat to the two other schools, but they’ve surpassed both Iowa and Iowa State by surging into national headlines on the heels of the team’s stellar play.
     Northern Iowa’s 30-win campaign might be the gem of this year’s season in Iowa, but it doesn’t take away from the Hawkeyes’ and Cyclones’ fantastic run. Iowa State had another successful year under head coach Fred Hoiberg, who led his team through a talent-filled Big 12 Conference and ended up near the top. The Hawkeyes, on the other hand, showed a newfound sense of determination as the season wound down. Iowa won all six of its final regular season games to seal their spot in the tournament. That resolve comes as a big sigh of relief, as last year’s late-season debacle is still very fresh in the minds of Hawk fans across Iowa.
     The entire state is ready for the Big Dance, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. Iowa and Iowa State still have to play in their conference tournaments later this week. Regardless, this is an exciting time for everyone here in Iowa. NCAA Tournament berths are treasured, and that’s even more true when the state has three teams ready to roll in March.
 
Moving forward after the funnel
    
     Iowa lawmakers can regroup and reprioritize a leaner list of issues following last week’s funnel deadline. Funnel week is the eligibility deadline for non-appropriation bills to clear a standing committee in the House or Senate. Some measures died and some lived, but the issues that remain could face a drawn out fight as we head to the second half of the 2015 General Assembly.
     Partisan issues over gun rights and abortion moved on, but they face an uphill battle in the Senate. Opinions on these issues can be polarizing, which is exactly why lawmakers should move on to more pressing topics. Budget-related issues like school funding and mental health care are two areas that received considerable debate over the past two months. They deserve due diligence and should be dealt with relatively soon. Our lawmakers keep getting sidetracked, which is causing problems as educators and health care officials plan for the future.
     The second half of the General Assembly can be chaotic and nerve-wracking time. Important bills get left behind while some seemingly trivial measures get approved with flying colors. Our lawmakers should take this time to refocus their attention on the most pressing issues before investing efforts elsewhere. The end of this year’s General Assembly will be here before we know it, and it would be a shame to leave the book open on topics that need to get done now.