(Le Mars) — State lawmakers Chuck Soderberg and Bill Anderson appeared before a gathering of 25 people Friday answering questions relating to the state’s budget, transportation and the fuel tax, education funding and the start of school, and mental health funding and the closing of two of Iowa’s mental health institutions. Soderberg informed the group that Governor Branstad has proposed a budget of $346.7 million more than in fiscal year 2015. Soderberg says that means $146.4 million of one-time money would be used to fund ongoing expenses, which he says is not consistent with the budget principles the legislature has supported over the last four years. Soderberg says there are three areas that make up 90 percent of the state’s budget. They include education funding at 55 percent. human services that take up 26 percent, and the justice system receives 9 percent of the state’s revenue. Soderberg says the one thing the legislature must do is pass a balanced budget.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Soderberg forum1.MP3{/audio}
Soderberg says with new programs approved during last session, there simply is not enough money to be able to finance every program.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Soderberg forum2.MP3{/audio}
Soderberg says the legislature will need to make some cuts in order to balance the state’s budget.
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{audio} images/stories/mp3/January 2015/Soderberg forum3.MP3{/audio}
