Iowa holds off on spending $1.4 billion in federal COVID-19 stimulus money

Iowa lawmakers are in no hurry to spend $1.4 billion in federal stimulus money.

The legislators are heading into the closing days of their annual session, and they're not including any of the latest round of federal funds in the state's budget for the coming fiscal year.

Iowa's state government is expected to receive approximately $1.4 billion in new federal relief through the American Rescue Plan, which Congress passed in March. Iowa will be able to spend that money on expenses through the end of 2024.

Republican state lawmakers, who control the House and Senate, say they’re still waiting on federal guidance before they decide how to spend that money. As they come to an agreement on the state budget in the final weeks of session, they’re not including stimulus funds in their appropriations.

Read more: https://www.amestrib.com/story/news/politics/2021/04/27/iowa-legislators-not-rushing-to-spend-1-4-billion-dollars-in-federal-covid-19-stimulus-money/4855450001/
(Ames Tribune)