Iowa Governor Terry Branstad delivered a mostly-positive review of the 2016 legislative session this morning (Monday). Branstad praised legislators from both parties for making “tough decisions” on state spending and passing criminal sentencing reforms, but Branstad faulted Senate Democrats and their leader, Mike Gronstal, for failing to pass some sort of water quality initiative.
Gronstal says “too many people were talking past each another and doing things on their own” rather than discussing workable options.
The legislature sent Branstad a more than seven-point-three BILLION dollar state spending plan. The governor has the authority to veto items within each budget bill. Branstad told reporters this morning (Monday) he and his staff will carefully review each bill, but he didn’t give any hints as to proposals or spending that might be vetoed.
