The Week Ahead
Week 14 looks like it will be a quiet one. The Iowa Senate plans to debate on Tuesday (April 15) and possibly Wednesday. (April 16). The House has no plans to debate and has not scheduled any committee meetings. Most likely the work will be behind the scenes to negotiate budget targets and decide the fate of property tax reform.
Two important things had to happen before budget targets can be set:
- Decision on increase in school aid. Legislators finalized this on Wednesday, approving 2% increase in school funding for 2025-2026 school year. This increases state spending by $241 million (including $127 million to public schools and $97 million for private school vouchers).
- Decision on property taxes. Both versions of the property tax reform bills lift $500 million in school funding off property taxpayers. If this stays in the bill, these funds to replace local school funding will need to be added to the budget targets.
Stay tuned for details on a budget once targets are released.