Republicans slashed over $115 million from an education plan already approved by the Senate today in the Iowa House. Legislators said the latest round of Republican budget cuts in education will slow efforts to grow Iowa’s skilled workforce.
“Iowa students already carry one of the highest debt loads in the country and the Republican education budget will put an even bigger burden on middle class families and students,” said Rep. Cindy Winckler of Davenport, the Ranking Member of the House Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We need to grow our skilled workforce by encouraging more Iowans to continue their education or training after high school. Unfortunately, the Republican plan approved today will make it more difficult for Iowans to continue their education and get a good-paying job,” added Winckler.
House Republicans scrapped a bill approved by the Iowa Senate and replaced it with their own version, which slashed funding by $115 million for state universities, community colleges, tuition assistance and the Iowa Department of Education. Under the Republican plan, community colleges would receive $25 million less and Iowa’s three public universities would receive $65 million less.
The bill, Senate File 2321, now returns to the Iowa Senate.
House Republicans slashed over $100 million from an education plan already approved by the Iowa Senate today. Legislators said the latest round of Republican budget cuts in education will slow efforts to grow Iowa’s skilled workforce.
“The Republican bill is a step backwards in our efforts to build a highly-skilled workforce. The budget is a reflection of our priorities and affordable education at our community colleges and higher education institutions is clearly not a priority for House Republicans. As the people of UNI know all too well, chronic cuts in higher education have severe consequences and the Republican education plans will make things even worse,” said Rep. Tyler Olson, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee.
House Republicans scrapped a bill approved by the Iowa Senate and replaced it with their own version, which slashed funding by $115 million for state universities, community colleges, tuition assistance and the Iowa Department of Education.
“With Iowa students already carrying the 4th highest debt load in the country, the Republican budget puts one more burden on the middle class while putting college out of reach for too many Iowans,” said Rep. Cindy Winckler of Davenport, the lead Democrat on the education budget committee.
Just a day after approving the education reform bill, House Republicans outlined their shell game to pay for the reforms by taking $20 million from class size reduction funds that Iowa schools already receive.
“Raising class sizes in the early grades is a step in the wrong direction and will counter new efforts to improve literacy before 3rd grade,” said House Democratic Leader Kevin McCarthy of Des Moines. “It’s not just robbing Peter to pay Paul, it’s taking money from a priority that will result in higher class sizes.”
On a party line vote on Thursday, the House Education Committee approved a bill to take $20 million of the $30 million schools receive for class size reduction block grants. The bill, Senate File 2210, now goes to the House floor.
The Iowa House has scheduled a public hearing on the Education Reform Bill HF 2380. We want to hear comments from parents, teachers and students about the proposed bill. After the Governor released a blueprint for education last fall, legislators began reviewing the details of the plan. While there are many areas of agreement with the Governor, many legislators on both sides of the aisle think the Governor’s plan to overhaul the schools system relies too heavily on increased testing and does little to help teachers perform in the classroom.
Monday, March 5, 2012
6:30 p.m.
Iowa House of Representatives Chamber
Persons wishing to speak may sign up at the Legislative Information Office (LIO), Room G16, located in the Iowa State Capitol, or call the LIO at 515-281-5129. Please do not leave a recorded message by telephone. If unable to attend, you may e-mail written testimony to the LIO: lioinfo@legis.state.ia.us . Please type Testimony in the subject line.
