Governor Terry Branstad is blasting Iowa educators and school administrators for opposing his plan to shift some of the tax money for school infrastructure to water quality projects.
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However, Branstad’s plan to extend the one-cent sales tax for school infrastructure another 20 years and dedicate the inflationary growth in that tax to water quality will not win approval in the 2016 legislature.
Republicans in the House propose diverting 28-million dollars in state sales taxes charged on water usage each year.
Republican House Speaker Linda Upmeyer of Clear Lake says there have been many private discussions among House Republicans, Senate Democrats and the governor’s staff to hammer out a water quality plan.
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Lawmakers are hoping to make key budget decisions and conclude the work of the 2016 legislative session by April 19th. That’s the 100th day of the 2016 session AND it’s the final day on which legislators get a 148-dollar daily stipend to cover living expenses in Des Moines.