DES MOINES – Voting on party lines, Iowa House legislators approved an $81 million increase in funding for public schools.
All Republicans except one voted in favor of the 2% budget increase for schools; the tally was 55-43 and now heads to the Democratically-controlled Senate.
Iowa Democrats were none-too-thrilled with the 2% increase. They wanted 4%.
Sharon Steckman of Mason City called it “disheartening” that Iowa kids will get just half of what her party wants for them.
Iowa Democrats said, in a statement, that $81 million from the state would “shortchange Iowa students and teachers yet again.”
Saying Democrats will fight for more funding, Democratic leader Andy McGuire said “Sadly, it is crystal clear that education is still not a priority for House Republicans. The people of Iowa deserve far better.”
Currently in Iowa, teachers make an average of $55,356, while superintendent salaries average $138,485. School districts and Democrats complain that building upkeep and academic programs continue to cost more every year, and that hundreds of teachers are losing jobs due to inadequate funding at the state level.
Republicans, however, were satisfied with the 2% increase, as this session, they moved quickly to get education funding squared away after stalling in previous years.
“House Republicans have said since day one that we are committed to setting education funding as quickly as possible. The Senate has the opportunity to provide certainty to our schools by sending this bill to the Governor for his signature.” House Speaker Linda Upmeyer proclaimed.
Republicans claimed that they have been great stewards of Iowa schools since becoming the majority party in the house.
“Every year since taking the majority, House Republicans have increased funding for schools, totaling $506 million”.
https://youtu.be/AWpEEjefQo8
K-12 education is the biggest slice of Iowa's budget pie. 42.3% of the general fund. #ialegis pic.twitter.com/wlbLnyzFB0
— Iowa House GOP (@IAHouseGOP) January 25, 2016
The Iowa House passed SF 174 and 175 to fund Iowa Schools. Here is a break down of what that funding looks like: pic.twitter.com/CDQWYPEMS1
— Iowa House GOP (@IAHouseGOP) January 26, 2016
