The water quality plan Iowa Governor Terry Branstad unveiled in January is going nowhere in the legislature. Branstad is now throwing his support behind the funding arrangements House Republicans are proposing for water quality initiatives.
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A plan to use state taxes on water usage for water treatment plant and drinking water system upgrades in “disadvantaged” Iowa cities has cleared a House committee. Next week House Republicans plan to unveil phase two, which would divert some state gambling taxes to water quality projects. Branstad describes these ideas from legislators as a short-term fix.
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Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says he and his fellow Democrats in the senate will give the water quality proposals from House Republicans a “good, fair look.”
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