DES MOINES — Today, Governor Kim Reynolds and Senate Republicans are announcing a compromise for an overall budget of $9.417 billion for Fiscal Year 2026. These targets include the education funding agreement from earlier in session.
“We cut taxes to ensure Iowans could keep more of their hard-earned money, and we must maintain spending discipline to ensure it stays that way,” Gov. Reynolds said. “Iowa remains on a strong fiscally sustainable path, and we should continue our focus on putting taxpayers first.”
“Senate Republicans pride ourselves on conservative, responsible budgets, and this agreement is just that,” Senator Tim Kraayenbrink, chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said. “This budget continues to focus on priorities and putting Iowa taxpayers first. An overall budget of $9.417 billion continues our commitment to conservative budgeting and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the historic tax relief measures passed over the last several years.”
“A budget agreement with Governor Reynolds moves this legislative session one step closer to adjourning for the year,” Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver said. “As we continue to work on important issues in the legislature and find agreement among legislators, this agreement marks an important step forward. We look forward to more conversations with the House of Representatives on how we can pass a sustainable budget for the upcoming fiscal year.”
The joint target between the Senate and Governor Reynolds is allocated to the following budget subcommittees:
Administration and Regulation – $73,461,809
Agriculture and Natural Resources – $45,574,050
Economic Development – $40,187,127
Education – $1,026,386,031
Health and Human Services – $2,468,992,645
Justice System – $925,925,531
Unassigned Standings – $4,836,758,719
Senate Republicans plan to move the budget bills through Appropriations subcommittees and Committee this week.
Republicans in this state prioritize companies and special interests over the PEOPLE. They have been legislating hate, discrimination, and encouraging ignorance. Claiming to be “pro-life” while not ensuring that PEOPLE can do more than simply survive is unconscionable. A flat tax might be more reasonable IF all tax loopholes were eliminated. Poor folks don’t get to write off ‘expenses’.
Legislators have little knowledge about education and refuse to listen to EDUCATORS. Governor Reynolds embraces “mom’s for liberty”, which the SPLC calls a hate group.
Private schools don’t have to accept ALL students, but PUBLIC schools do. Schools requested a 4% increase, they received a little over 2% (and late), which doesn’t even keep up with inflation. My nephew is bi-racial, he gets called racial slurs in school, this is unacceptable.
The Governor’s refusal to provide ALL documentation subject to FOIA requests, and for the School Vouchers program is not in the taxpayers interest. If elected officials are NOT willing to be accountable to the PEOPLE, why are they in office?
The Iowa Open Records act does NOT include any exemption for “EXECUTIVE PRIVILEGE”.
Do as I say, not as I do is so very wrong. The fish rots from the head.