A plan to cut the current year’s state budget by about 88 million dollars has emerged in the Iowa Senate. Earlier this month Republican Governor Terry Branstad proposed cutting even deeper — about 22 million dollars deeper, but Republicans in the legislature have decided NOT to align STATE tax policy with a series of FEDERAL tax breaks. Republican Senator Charles Schneider of West Des Moines says with THAT tax decision and a few other adjustments, this new plan has the backing of Republicans in the House AND Senate, as well as the governor.
Senator Joe Bolkcom, a Democrat from Iowa City, says the plan raises concerns because of cuts to community colleges and the three state universities.
The budget-cutting plan has cleared a senate subcommittee and will considered in the Senate Appropriations Committee today (Tuesday). The governor’s plan would have cut more deeply in the prison system’s budget as well as the budgets for state troopers and the courts. Republicans say the Department of Management is offering to cut 11-and-a-half MILLION dollars thoughtout all of state government by curbing travel and putting off office supply purchases. Managers will also hold leave some job openings vacant. Some agencies may be forced to lay off workers, however, to deal with some of the targeted cuts.
