From Rep. Todd Prichard –
The source of disagreement continues to be how much money is available for school funding. While the Governor and the Senate agree on the size of the general budget, House Republicans refuse to accept their numbers. Instead, they cling to the notion that approximately $165.5 million should stay off the table while planning for the future.
Aggravating the issue is the upcoming school year and upcoming year-end of the State’s fiscal year. Due to the state’s inaction, school budgets (and every other state budget) for the fall are still uncertain. Accordingly, school districts are forced to assume they can expect no additional state funding dollars. The result is staff lay-offs and programming cuts. The inaction has meant very real and negative effects for Iowa’s schools and students.
The bright spot is that leadership in both the House and Senate has developed a compromise plan to establish this year’s budget. The compromise plan increases State Supplement Aid (SSA) for schools by 1.25% and grants a one-time infusion of $55 million. While the compromise plan is not what I consider ideal for Iowa’s schools, it at least keeps the process moving and provides some level of funding in a year that has lacked political consensus.
Despite the compromise reached by leadership in each Chamber, there is fear that the rank and file Republican members of the House will not support the compromised agreement. This lack of votes thus results in the current stalemate we are in. It is also the reason I am in town and not in Des Moines at the Statehouse.
I believe that enough has been given up and conceded to gain votes by House Republicans to settle the budget for the upcoming year. I cannot justify any further cuts to school funding considering that revenue is strong and the economy continues to improve. In fact, this compromise is hard enough medicine for me to swallow because I know we can do better for our schools. The sad fact is, however, giving our schools what they need is not possible because of current Statehouse politics.
To be certain, I enjoy being in town. I’m happy to spend time with my family, and I am glad to be back in my office on Main Street in Charles City. However, it is with regret that I say there is still work to be done in Des Moines and that work includes funding Iowa’s schools.
