The budget is now the main focus of legislators | News, Sports, Jobs

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The last weeks of session are when state budgets for the next fiscal year must be drawn up, negotiated and passed. As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, that is when my committee is very busy.

The preparation, deliberation and execution of the State budget is a complicated and continuous process. The annual budget process serves as the basis for government financial planning and control. The Revenue Estimate Conference meets quarterly to forecast state revenues. With this estimate and knowledge of current financial commitments, we determine the overall budget target.

Once this overall objective is set, it is divided into budget sub-committees – administration and regulation, agriculture and natural resources, economic development, education, health and social services, justice system and transport and infrastructure. These allocation sub-committees then work to finalize their priorities and determine what will be funded.

After negotiations with the House and approval by the Governor, the process is complete.

Senate Republicans remain committed to passing conservative and sustainable budgets, carefully providing funds to areas such as mental health, public safety and education, while ensuring that the largest income tax cuts of Iowa’s history remain enduring.

Senate File 2383, another proposal by Governor Reynolds, deals with the labor shortage. It meets our workforce needs by eliminating regulations, reducing barriers to licensing and increasing career opportunities. The bill changes the current healthcare loan waiver and recruitment programs to cover more professionals, giving more opportunities to people in rural areas and to professions in need in the medical community. Another provision ensures that work-based learning is properly structured by school districts to provide exposure to well-paying careers outside of post-secondary education.

SF 2383 builds on Iowa’s existing quality of life programs for our active duty military, veterans, and their spouses. It expedites professional and professional licensing for military spouses and veterans and eliminates barriers to entry by waiving application and first renewal fees. This bill also eliminates costly barriers and regulations for workers and housing projects by prohibiting a county or city from requiring an inspection of a manufactured home that has already been inspected by the U.S. Department of Housing. and urban development.

This bill is another piece of the puzzle for solving the labor shortage. It moves Iowans from unemployment to re-employment by encouraging student career success, supporting our healthcare professionals, and reducing financial and regulatory barriers to entering the workforce.

Senate Republicans are strengthening Iowa as we continue to cut taxes and get Iowans back to work. We will continue to support our students, veterans, and workforce to improve the quality of life for all Iowans.

State Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge, represents Calhoun, Humboldt, and Pocahontas counties, as well as most of Webster County.



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