DES MOINES — Gov. Kim Reynolds signed Iowa's state budget law Thursday, finalizing an $8.9 billion spending plan for the fiscal year beginning July 1.
The budget is made up of 10 bills passed by state lawmakers this year to provide funding to various areas of state government. This will result in spending he increasing by 4.7% compared to the current budget year. Reynolds signed all bills as written and did not use line-item vetoes to provide specific funding.
Here are some of the expenses in the budget.
Rank: $4.6 billion
The budget targets state funding for school districts, education savings accounts for private schools, and a variety of other spending categories.
Iowa will spend more than $3.7 billion on public school education, making it the largest single item in the budget.
The Education Savings Account program, which allows students to use their entire per-pupil state allotment to pay for private school tuition, will cost the state $179 million, about $50 million more than this year. do.
The budget cuts funding to local education agencies by $32.5 million, including $10 million transferred to the Iowa Department of Education for the creation of a new special education division.
The budget includes $2 million in funding for the Department of Public Safety to investigate and combat illegal immigration and human trafficking.
Higher and other education: $1.05 billion
This budget provides funding to the state Legislature, the Department of Blind Persons, and the Department of Education. This includes $1.02 billion from the general fund and $34 million from other funds.
Some of the funding changes are listed below.
- Funding for the Board of Regents will increase by $12.3 million, including a 2.5 percent increase for general operations of public universities.
- $10 million to create a special education division in the Iowa Department of Education to oversee state regional education agencies. Funding came from AEA funds.
- $172,000 donated to Iowa PBS for archive digitization
The bill also includes a number of policy items. It would reinstate open admissions deadlines and prohibit universities from spending money to the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for purposes not required by federal or state law or accreditation standards.
Health and Human Services: $2.68 billion
This budget provides funding to the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Veterans Affairs. This includes $2.21 billion from the general fund and $469 million from other funds.
New programs and spending in the budget include:
- $8 million to develop the Thrive Iowa program. The program aims to connect people in need to non-governmental nonprofits and organizations that can help them.
- $107.2 million increase for Medical Assistance and Hoki Children's Health Programs, including increased reimbursement rates for health care providers;
- Requires the Office of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing to provide joint training sessions for nursing home facilities and inspectors on the most common notices issued to nursing homes.
Judiciary: $220 million
This budget funds the state's court system. The $220 million funding comes entirely from the general fund.
The budget includes a 5% salary increase for all Iowa judges, at a cost of about $2.4 million. It also adjusts required contributions to judges' retirement systems.
Justice system: $713 million
This budget provides funding for the Iowa Attorney General's Office and the Department of Corrections. This includes $693 million from the general fund and $20 million from other funds. This includes new expenditures such as:
- $2.8 million increase to the Office of the Attorney General, including six new full-time employees;
- $11.9 million increase to the Department of Corrections
- $5.1 million increase for one new hire to the Department of Public Safety and increased operating costs.
Agriculture: $143 million
This budget provides funding to the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Natural Resources. This includes $46 million in expenditures from the General Fund and $97 million in expenditures from other funds.
These spending increases and programs are included in the budget.
- $1 million for state park maintenance and repairs
- $296,000 for state park accessibility improvements.
- $200,000 for project connecting schools and local food banks
Economic development: $76 million
This budget provides funding to the Iowa Department of Economic Development, the Department of Workforce Development, and other economic development agencies. This includes $42 million from the general fund and $34 million from other funds.
The budget includes $2 million for the Skilled Worker and Job Creation Fund.
Management and Regulation: $139 million
This budget provides funding to the Department of Administrative Services, the Governor's Office, and other executive departments and agencies. This includes $72 million from the general fund and $67 million from other funds.
The budget includes a $117,000 increase to the Department of Administrative Services and a $54,000 increase to the Governor's Office.
Iowa Infrastructure Reconstruction Fund: $212.4 million
This budget is separate from the general fund and pays for various infrastructure and other programs. The plan includes $6 million in infrastructure improvements to state parks, including $1 million to improve park accessibility.
Transportation expenses: $453 million
This budget funds roads and transportation infrastructure separately from the general fund.