DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A House Republican leader says Iowa lawmakers will need to make deep cuts to the budget next year, but he did not elaborate.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Pat Grassley, of New Hartford, says Wednesday that Republicans will base their budget priorities for the fiscal year beginning in July on roughly $7.35 billion in current revenue projections estimated by state experts. He says that's about $175 million in new revenue.
Grassley says his data show Iowa is facing hundreds of millions of dollars in expected new costs, so "tough decisions" will be needed. He says he can't elaborate on potential cuts until a final revenue projection is issued.
Lawmakers are expected to debate again over supplemental aid for K-12 schools. Grassley says Republicans are still meeting over what amount to support.
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