Republicans in the Iowa Senate have sent the House a plan that cuts the current year’s state budget — to prevent a looming deficit. Republican Senator Mark Chelgren of Ottumwa called the 88-million dollars in cuts the “appropriate” way to fix a “mess.”
*
Democrats like Senator Rob Hogg of Cedar Rapids complain the plan cuts too deeply into budgets for the community colleges and the state universities in Ames, Cedar Falls and Iowa City.
*
State tax revenues ARE growing this year, but not as much as previously predicted — forcing this budget-cutting debate at the statehouse. This plan will be voted upon in the Republican-led Iowa House on Monday. Governor Terry Branstad has indicated to legislators that he’ll approve it.
……………..