Statehouse budget battle looms as legislative session enters overtime
A budget standoff at the Iowa Statehouse has pushed the legislative session into overtime, with lawmakers unable to finalize a spending plan. The delay stems from disagreements among the Senate, House, and Gov. Kim Reynolds on key issues, including eminent domain and paraeducator funding.
The Senate's primary sticking point is eminent domain, particularly its use for carbon capture pipelines. A group of 12 Republican senators has vowed to block any budget bills until the House legislation restricting eminent domain for pipelines reaches the Senate floor for a vote. Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver sent vlog a statement: "A number of Republican Senators are working on policy surrounding eminent domain and pipeline issues, and I am optimistic we will find a legislative solution."
In the House, Speaker Pat Grassley is focused on paraeducator funding. The House has proposed allocating $14 million for paraeducator salaries, matching last year’s funding.
Grassley emphasized the importance of maintaining the funding.
"That's one of the hang-ups we have right now in the differences in our numbers with the Senate and the Governor would be that paraeducation piece that we felt was extremely important last year during the AEA conversation," Grassley said.
Reynolds addressed the matter in a statement, clarifying that paraeducator funding has not been a central focus of budget negotiations.
"A final compromise may very well include additional funding for paraeducators, but we currently have a number of differences across budget bills," she said.
Senate Democrats, meanwhile, criticized the governor’s approach. Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner accused Reynolds of prioritizing out-of-state interests over Iowa’s public schools.
"Gov. Reynolds had no issue rushing to approve legislation that allows out-of-state special interests to lead Iowa charter schools, but when it comes to funding for Iowa's public schools or increasing pay for critical school employees, she's using budget negotiations to hold paraeducator pay increases hostage," Weiner said in a statement.
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