DAVENPORT, Iowa -
Iowa lawmakers will have their hands full when they return to Des Moines in January. The state is facing its largest budget gap ever, totalling more than $1 billion. That's as the state contends with a 10% across-the-board spending cut.
Iowa's budget battles put school districts on the chopping block. A mandatory 10% cut hitting Clinton schools without warning and forcing the district to slice more than $2.1 million from its budget. There are worries over quality and cost to taxpayers.
"What happens if they don't have places they can cut?" asked State Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, (R) Dixon. "We don't want to super size classes. We want to make sure that Iowa kids are being offered the best education possible. It's our responsibility."
One reason why a quartet of Iowa lawmakers participated in a legislative preview hosted by the Iowa Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Mediacom and IowaPolitics.com. It's a chance to learn more about the upcoming session. One that will come down to setting top priorities.
"Trying to figure out a way to maintain our commitments to education, health care and public safety that are so important to the future of our state," said State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, (D) Iowa City, assistant majority leader.
When lawmakers return to Des Moines, it will be one of the most challenging sessions ever. They're trying to do more with less while meeting the state's needs.
"The challenge is going to be balance," said State Rep. Dave Jacoby, (D) Coralville, assistant majority leader. "How do you balance the budget cuts but keep Iowa moving forward at the same time?"
Case in point, tough times on the farm. A late harvest, lower crop prices, higher expenses and cuts to the agriculture department all striking with combines still in the fields.
"That's one of the things we are most concerned about," said State Rep. Steve Lukan, (R) New Vienna. "When we need our ag department to be its strongest, they're actually suffering some pretty significant reductions."
Any legislation will have to clear some major hurdles. During an election year, that means getting bipartisan support.
"We're just going to have to get to work and find a way to make things happen," Bolkcom said.
All for a state that can't afford to wait.
Iowa's budget battles put school districts on the chopping block. A mandatory 10% cut hitting Clinton schools without warning and forcing the district to slice more than $2.1 million from its budget. There are worries over quality and cost to taxpayers.
"What happens if they don't have places they can cut?" asked State Sen. Shawn Hamerlinck, (R) Dixon. "We don't want to super size classes. We want to make sure that Iowa kids are being offered the best education possible. It's our responsibility."
One reason why a quartet of Iowa lawmakers participated in a legislative preview hosted by the Iowa Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce, Mediacom and IowaPolitics.com. It's a chance to learn more about the upcoming session. One that will come down to setting top priorities.
"Trying to figure out a way to maintain our commitments to education, health care and public safety that are so important to the future of our state," said State Sen. Joe Bolkcom, (D) Iowa City, assistant majority leader.
When lawmakers return to Des Moines, it will be one of the most challenging sessions ever. They're trying to do more with less while meeting the state's needs.
"The challenge is going to be balance," said State Rep. Dave Jacoby, (D) Coralville, assistant majority leader. "How do you balance the budget cuts but keep Iowa moving forward at the same time?"
Case in point, tough times on the farm. A late harvest, lower crop prices, higher expenses and cuts to the agriculture department all striking with combines still in the fields.
"That's one of the things we are most concerned about," said State Rep. Steve Lukan, (R) New Vienna. "When we need our ag department to be its strongest, they're actually suffering some pretty significant reductions."
Any legislation will have to clear some major hurdles. During an election year, that means getting bipartisan support.
"We're just going to have to get to work and find a way to make things happen," Bolkcom said.
All for a state that can't afford to wait.
