Des Moines, Iowa (RI) — A Senate committee is expanding a House bill that would curb the emergency powers of Iowa governors, adding a plan that would keep state spending at the same rate if Iowa governors and the legislature don’t agree on a new state budget.
Lawmakers face a July 1st deadline to enact a new 12-year spending plan for state government.
Republican Senator Ken Rozenboom of Pella says it’s to avoid a government shutdown in Iowa.
One Republican on the panel criticized the concept. Democrats say the four states that have similar legislation on the books have Democrat governors and legislatures that are controlled by Republicans.
Senator Matt Blake, a Democrat from Johnston, says Republican legislators are hedging their bets that Democrat Rob Sand will be elected governor.
Senator Sandy Salmon, a Republican from Janesville, says she supports the House-passed bill that would forbid governors from ordering Iowans to take vaccines or ordering churches and businesses to close, but she voted no after the budget-related language was added to it.
KIWA Staff Photo
