Educators to Re-Elect Senator Mike Gronstal

I’ve repeatedly said that the state of Iowa will have $600 million in our reserve funds and $300 million in our ending balance when the fiscal year comes to a close on June 30.

I argued that with so much money on hand—far more than most other states—there is no need to deeply cut our local schools, community colleges and universities.

That statement was partially in error, and I want to issue a correction.

It turns out Iowa’s economy is recovering even better than expected. Michael Fitzgerald, Iowa’s State Treasurer, reported this week that we’ll have an additional $100 million in our ending balance when this fiscal year comes to a close on June 30.

These additional dollars can help protect Iowa’s local schools and create new jobs. There are now 100 million more reasons why the compromises needed to end the session should be easier to find

Dear Friends,

Budget negotiations at the Iowa Capitol have stalled over support for education and job creation.

Our schools and colleges, as well as Iowa’s recovery from the national recession, will be damaged if we don’t reach a common-sense compromise.

To make that happen, Iowans need to get involved. That’s why I’m asking for your help. Please join your friends, neighbors and family members in voicing your concerns about unnecessary cuts to education at every level and the job creation initiatives that are helping our economy recover. The proposed cuts are unnecessary because we can afford these investments at a time when our state’s reserve funds are full at $600 million, and another $300 million will be added by the end of the fiscal year.

Here are 10 areas where Republicans insist on deep, unnecessary cuts that are causing gridlock at the Capitol:

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