Waterloo high school teacher Vaughn Gross e-mailed 23 Iowa Republican state senators this week, urging them to “help call a special [legislative] session to fund our schools.” State Senator David Johnson sent back a dismissive reply, telling Gross to “Quit whining” and complaining that Democrats had cost him money by sending the Iowa legislative session into overtime.

I’m surprised an experienced politician would respond in that tone to Gross’s respectful, heartfelt appeal. But Johnson outdid himself later in the day, after his message to the teacher went viral. Far from seeking a graceful way out of the situation, Johnson defended his choice of words and indicated that he sees GOP legislators as the victims of a “concerted attack” on their votes. In his view, Republicans should not be criticized for education funding levels.

Really?

Let’s remember why Iowa teachers are in the position of begging Republican senators to change their votes in the middle of the summer. For months, GOP leaders in the Iowa House refused to meet Democrats in the middle on K-12 school funding for the coming academic year. Negotiations dragged on well past the point where school districts needed to approve their own budgets. Finally, Democrats agreed to less than half a loaf: accepting Republican numbers for state aid in the regular appropriations bill and rolling the dice on extra funds in a supplemental spending bill.

If statehouse Republicans had agreed to raise allowable growth to 2.625 percent, Governor Terry Branstad would not have been in a position to veto the extra money for schools, hiding behind rhetoric about “one-time funding” and bad budgeting practices.

Johnson told Gross that “the session extended by the Democrats unnecessarily” cost him $2,000 out of pocket. But Senate Democrats offered a reasonable compromise on education funding in late March, weeks before the legislature’s scheduled adjournment date. House leaders forced the session into overtime by insisting on their opening offer: allowable growth for K-12 budgets no higher than 1.25 percent.

Erin Murphy reported yesterday,

Johnson told the Journal on Thursday that Republican legislators have been receiving emails that felt like “a concerted attack on our education votes.”

“Mr. Gross’ email came in, and I decided to put my foot down,” Johnson said.

Johnson said he does not regret telling Gross to “quit whining.”

“I don’t take anything back. That was my way of saying, ‘Take a deep breath,'” Johnson said.

Gross posted the email exchange on social media, and Johnson said he has since received vulgar verbal attacks.

It’s unfortunate (and counter-productive) for people to lash out at Johnson with obscenities. But why is the senator complaining about a “concerted attack”? Every year, hundreds of advocacy groups mobilize their members to contact legislators about this or that bill. There’s nothing illegitimate or surprising about concerned Iowans asking House and Senate Republicans this week to support a special session on education funding. Gross sent his message to all 23 GOP senators who voted against the supplemental spending bill in June, because at least seven of them would have to change their minds in order to override Branstad’s veto.

According to Bret Hayworth of the Sioux City Journal, Johnson said of Democratic criticism on school funding, “It is clear where the campaign is headed here-that Republicans don’t care.”

I know one simple way for Republicans to take this issue off the table for next year’s campaign: come back to Des Moines and override Branstad’s vetoes.

If Republicans had accepted a reasonable compromise on school funding earlier in the year, we wouldn’t be here. Now they have an opportunity to demonstrate whether they stand behind the deal struck to end the legislative session.

P.S.- Judging by other e-mails Johnson sent to Iowans who contacted him about education funding, this man never learned that when you’re in a hole, it’s best to stop digging. Pat Rynard comments, “It’s also notable that with Johnson’s continuing unchecked belligerence, Minority Leader Bill Dix has officially lost control of his caucus in the Senate. To have a member of your caucus wantonly inviting terrible press upon your party is simply insane.”