DES MOINES – Plunging state revenue has led to the passage of a bill in the Iowa Senate that cuts millions from various programs.
Senate File 130 was passed Thursday in the Senate by a vote of 28-19. It will slice the current state budget by over $100 million.
Among the hardest hit in the bill is the Department of education, losing over $4.5 million. Also, community colleges lose $3 million. The Department of natural resources loses $1.3 million. The Department of Corrections is cut $5.5 million. The Department of human services loses $3.8 million. The grow Iowa values fund loses $12 million.
Next, the bill goes to the Iowa House. Earlier this week, Iowa Representative Marti Anderson (D, Des Moines) said “The state does not have enough revenue to finish paying for government the rest of the current year. This week we will have to cut at least $110 million from the CURRENT budget. This is the first time in decades a we’ve had a de-appropriations bill at the same time our economy and state revenue are growing. Over the past six years, Republicans pushed through massive corporate tax giveaways, that cost the state over $500 million annually.”
Both chambers in the Iowa Legislature are controlled by Republicans. Governor Terry Branstad is expected to sign the bill once it arrives at his desk.
Bo boo boo – Your fired! – Obummer lost and your fat cat government is going to be audited. Heard Mc Donalds turned you down – first time I heard them say someone was under qualified.
they need 10 million now, let them take the 10 mil for our ice rink and use it, it wont be needed anyway. another drunkmeyer fantasy dream
Ask China for some money -Fact! – they own 25% of the pork industry in America. Google it demorat.
Fake News ! It was NOT a loss in revenues per say – it was the rising costs of the PUBLIC SERVANTS sector AND their health/retirement benefit accounts that are rising out of control every year -NOT to mention their above average salaries compared to the private sector. About time someone put a stop to this BS.
I think Trump should hire you as one of his propaganda ministers if he hasn’t already. The governor himself said this was because loss of revenue based on incorrect estimates of revenue. It has nothing to do with public service retirement or health accounts. Maybe the above average salaries (which isn’t that much higher) has to do with education. Most public salaried people have more education than the private sector workers. The average for private sector is heavily weighted also by the workers who receive the minimum wage.
Did the governor’s office have to take a loss?
No, the governor’s office did not take a cut.
Ha, Ha, Ha.
$100 million eh, interesting, that is about the same amount that Branstad gave way to big corporations.
Coincidence?
All elected officials should be paid minimum wage no benefits.
WhiIe I agree with your comment, there comes a point in time where you just can’t cut any more. We pay for services and to run our culture through the taxes we pay. I believe we have reached the limit or gone behind the limit with this cut. Maybe they need to tax corporations their fair share. Which corporations received the tax cuts? Were the corporate farmers part of the cut? My belief is they have gone to far. A good starting point is to reduce the benefits of elected officials and take a serious look at the benefit package of state workers. There comes a time when we just can not afford it.