Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — Most spending decisions for the state budget year that begins July 1st have not been made by lawmakers.
Republicans control the debate agenda, and Senate Democratic Leader Janice Weiner says House and Senate Republicans haven’t agreed on the total level of spending yet.
The Iowa Constitution does not require the legislature to end on a certain date. However, this Friday is the 110th day of the 2025 legislative session, and lawmakers will not get payments to cover expenses for traveling from their homes to Des Moines after May 2nd. Weiner says while Senate Republicans and Governor Reynolds have agreed on an overall level of spending, House Republicans have not revealed what their total spending target is.
Republicans say making withdrawals from state reserves was part of the plan when they passed income tax cuts. Speaker Pat Grassley — the top Republican in the House — says Republicans are meeting in private to hammer out budget details.
Lawmakers have made one spending decision — on how much the state will spend on K-through-12 education in the next budget year. However, there was a two-month standoff between House and Senate Republicans before that decision was made in early April. Grassley says he’s hopeful overall budget negotiations don’t drag out much longer.
Key House members are at the Capitol today (Monday) for private meetings, but there will be no debate in the House. Senate leaders have released a list of 15 bills eligible for debate this (Monday) afternoon. The Senate is likely to take confirmation votes today (Monday) so two members of the board that governs the three state universities may continue serving on the Board of Regents.
