Legislative Republicans and Governor Agree to Roll Back General Fund Spending

Guy Vander Linden

Tuesday, May 3, the House and Senate Republicans and Governor Branstad agreed to the total amount of general fund spending for FY 2012. The general fund budget would be just less than $6 billion. This amount is 97 percent of ongoing revenue and over $200 million less than the adjusted FY 2011 budget. It leaves over $300 million in the ending balance and brings the budget back to FY 2009 levels. The next step is to get Senate Democrats to agree

on the spending level. Once that is accomplished, the appropriations bills can be approved by both chambers and sent to the Governor. Even though coming to an agreement regarding spending is a complicated procedure, I realize that it takes patience and determination to achieve the best possible outcome for the people of the state of Iowa.

Next week will mark the second week past our scheduled adjournment.