DES MOINES – Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds wants over $29 million in cuts to the proposed state budget, the state learned yesterday.
The budget process in state government in Iowa starts when revenue receipts are estimated by the state’s Revenue Estimating Conference. Currently, revenues collected by the state are not keeping up with projected estimates, leading to a possible deficit of well over $30 million.
To make up the budget difference, Governor Kim Reynolds is proposing cuts to a list of services and agencies at the state level. Democratic Representative Sharon Steckman of Mason City called the cuts “De-Appropriations.”
“Not mentioned in the Governor’s speech (Tuesday) morning are all the cuts that will be made this year to balance the budget!,” Rep. Steckman said. “$1.8 million from community colleges, $5 million from Regents, $3 million from Corrections, etc…. called De-Appropriations.”
Iowa Democratic Senator Matt McCoy of Des Moines said, “What about your fiscal mismanagement last fall? You illegally transferred $13.8M to avoid fall special session which would have provided transparency & oversight for your out of control spending.”
McCoy listed a few of the proposed spending cuts to this year’s budget:
– $29.6M in TOTAL De-Appropriations (Mid-year BUDGET CUTS)
– CUT $10 MILLION from DHS
– CUT $3 MILLION from human services (unspecified)
– CUT $5 MILLION Board of Regents
– CUT $3.4 MILLION from community colleges
– CUT $1.8 MILLION Judicial Branch
– CUT $1.6 MILLION Dept of Public Safety
– CUT $852 THOUSAND Dept of Education
– CUT $460 THOUSAND Dept of Public Health
Iowa’s fiscal year begins July 1st and ends June 30th of the following year.
