Iowa Democrats are locked in a standoff with Republican Governor Terry Branstad that threatens to extend the legislative session past tomorrow’s scheduled adjournment. As in other states, they disagree over the best way to close a budget deficit. But there’s another sticking point in Iowa, one that might prove more difficult to resolve: The governor wants the budget to cover two years, while Democrats in the legislature are holding out for budgeting one year at a time.
It’s a rather esoteric fight to be having. But it’s dominating the session. Already, Branstad has vetoed a transportation budget because it covered only one year. “I want to make it clear by vetoing the very first appropriation bill,” he said, “that we are dead serious about doing a biennial budget.”
To read the full, original article click on this link: Republican governors push for biennial budgets
Author: David Harrison
