Agreeing with other state legislators who Monday said Republicans have cut too much from the state’s budget for education, Rep. Sharon Steckman told NorthIowaToday.com that “We are holding our schools hostage.” |Agreeing with other state legislators who Monday said Republicans have cut too much from the state’s budget for education, Rep. Sharon Steckman told NorthIowaToday.com that “We are holding our schools hostage.”
In a press release on Monday, State Senator Steve Sodders of Marshalltown said “Republicans will set a new low in state support for education with a zero percent increase in basic funding for the first time in 40 years.”
Steckman told NorthIowaToday.com:
“I couldn’t agree more! We are holding our schools hostage. In two weeks they must verify their budgets and in four weeks they will be handing out pink slips.
Last week we spent an entire day on a dove hunting bill that we were told would create 90 jobs. Those 90 jobs do not hold a candle to the possible 1,500 education jobs we will lose because schools are not getting any guidance from the Legislature.
House Republicans are also holding $18.6 million in payments due for the indigent fund.This fund pays hundreds of small businesses in communities who have entered into legal contracts with the State.
We have heard from attorneys that have had to refinance their homes in order to pay their bills, because the State is not paying its bills.
Last Thursday I read a letter on the House floor. The letter was from the House Democrats asking the House Republicans to quit playing politics with small business.
Today I would add our public schools to that list. Our kids deserve better.”
