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Iowa Governor pushes water quality initiative using school fund

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad wants to extend a one-cent sales tax established in 2008 to make improvements in school buildings by 20 years and to divert a portion of the money toward water quality projects.

Calling it the biggest and boldest initiative he's put together in his many years as governor, Branstad says his plan announced Tuesday helps fund two top priorities — education and water quality.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack traveled to Iowa to support Branstad. He says Iowa's water quality needs immediate attention.

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal says legislators might resist using money from a school fund.

The plan extends the sales tax scheduled to expire in 2029 through 2049. It would provide about $20.7 billion for schools and more than $4.6 billion for water quality.

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