Poll Finds Iowans Have Bigger Concerns

The Register found that regulation of distracted driving was a high priority for 72% of respondents while only 36% thought that regulating marriage should be an immediate focus of lawmakers. House Republican leader Kraig Paulsen told the Register that "they're clearly interested in government sticking to its core business, which is public safety."

This comes at a time in Iowa when Republican legislators are beginning to regroup to push for a constitutional ban on gay marriage, which was approved by the state supreme court last year. Democratic lawmakers, who hold a majority in both houses, have promised not to discuss same-sex marriage during this year's session, but Republicans are rumored to be planning to use a procedure that would allow the amendment to come up for a vote.

Paulsen blamed poll results on the impression that banning gay marriage is time-consuming, adding, "There's no reason it should have to take more than 30 minutes."