A bill that would provide money for water improvement projects seems to be leaking at the statehouse. The bill awaits a vote in the Iowa House and it was nearly DEFEATED in a three-member Senate SUB-committee. Lawmakers are questioning whether to siphon money from other areas of state government to deal with water quality needs, including the repair and rebuilding of city sewer and drinking water systems. Senator Ken Rozenboom, a Republican farmer from Oskaloosa, voted for the plan, but he’s not convinced by critics who say the situation’s urgent.
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Senator Rick Bertrand, a Republican from Sioux City, voted AGAINST the plan because it drains millions out of the state account that pays to repair state-owned buildings.
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Senator Joe Bolkcom (BOWL-kum), a Democrat from Iowa City, says he’s not a fan of the funding plan either, but he voted FOR the bill.
If Bolkcom had voted against the plan, it would have failed to clear its first test in the senate.
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