Statehouse Sleepover

It's 10a.m. as I write this. That means (I think) this prevailing wage/sit-in/sleep-in at the Iowa statehouse may be down to its final three hours. Can we assume now none of the five Democrats who voted against the bill Friday will change his/her vote? Can we also assume then that after 1pm today, one Democrat will file a motion to reconsider, allowing the prevailing wage to come up later in the session with a change or two in its scope? Can we also assume House Speaker Pat Murphy will get to shower today:)

I asked both parties for the night shift roster last night. I haven't heard back from the Democrats yet. Here are the Republicans:

Reps. Mike May, Renee Schulte, Duane Alons and Dave Heaton took shifts.

Republicans were also busy little "tweeters" last night as well. If you're not a Twitter person, tweets are the quick messages a user sends out to followers on Twitter. Here are their tweets from the last 24 hours:

annnnd the voting machine cleared again. That's the 3rd time. about 1 hour ago from web

Rep Alons came in to take over the reigns at the Statehouse. Kressing watching movies in the speakers chair. about 7 hours ago from web

are you out there? Stuck in the Capitol staring at the voter board. It's still on. Vote 50 to 48. NO changes about 10 hours ago from web

starinig at the voting machine...5 R Reps 2 D Reps, and 3 Friends of R's. CRs just left after bringing another round of Goody bags! about 11 hours ago from web

At the capitol for the night shift. Rs include Renee Schulte, Jason Schultz, Erik Helland. @C_Rants and Annette Sweeney are to join soon about 12 hours ago from web

Mike May and Jason Schultz are here. I'm headed out! about 13 hours ago from web

just opened an invite for AFL-CIO hospitality night. Must be a mistake about 13 hours ago from web

Watching Schueller, Gayman and Frevert in the well. Berry and Miller just left. about 13 hours ago from web

Well, Dane4Chair, my first time, so forgive me. Isaiah...heard the blue dog Ds are fortifying for tomorrow right now. about 13 hours ago from web

Pettengill wishing Rep. Frevert would start whispering also. Is that too personal to Twitter? about 13 hours ago from web

Pettengill again...never twittered before, so bear with me....reporting from IA House chamber, up to the minute news. :) about 13 hours ago from web

Pettengill here in House chamber, watching lots of whispering at the well and writing my column. about 13 hours ago from web

We are having fun! The College Republicans brought in some more goodies as did Grant Young! Greg F. just came in so now the total-50-48!BD about 17 hours ago from web

Rep. Forristall just cast the last Republican vote AGAINST HF 333. The vote is 50-48. Close the machine, Mr. Speaker about 17 hours ago from web

From the House: Grant - just bring goodies to the House Chamber. South Capitol public entrance is open. Thanks for the support! Rep. Tymeson about 20 hours ago from web

Report from House Chamber: Received another care package from ISU College Republicans. Many thanks for their support! about 24 hours ago from web

As the Prevailing Wage Turns

It's day three of the prevailing wage sleepover at the Iowa statehouse. The vote still stands (as of 3pm) 50 "for" and 47 "against", meaning the Democrats remain one vote short of passing their plan. Early tonight, one of the missing lawmakers, Rep. Greg Forristall, is supposed to show up to vote. But the Macedonia Republican isn't in for a "yes" vote, so that still doesn't help make the math work for the Democrats.

We talked with one of the five Democrats who originally voted against the bill. McKinley Bailey, of Webster City, sure doesn't sound like he'll switch before tomorrow. He said he hasn't heard from Democratic leadership to try to push him the other way. But he adds he hasn't checked his phone, which is full of voice messages. When we asked him whether leadership could try to more than "gently" persuade him, he said he was shot at twice during the war. So he says he's not easily intimidated.

Here's a little non-statehouse Sunday distraction for you. Country star and former college football player, Toby Keith, performs before thousands tonight at the "Well" in Des Moines. Let's hope he doesn't have to kick a little a$@ like he did at this concert after a drunken fan threw beer at him and flipped him his "favorite finger".