Iowa Senate Republicans, Democrats squabble over 1 percent school aid hike

Iowa Senate Republicans matched their House counterparts Thursday by supporting a 1 percent increase in basic state aid to Iowa's school districts, assuring a $3.2 billion education appropriation bill will be headed soon to Gov. Kim Reynolds' desk.

Senate Study Bill 3109 was approved by the Iowa Senate Education Committee on a 9-6 vote with all Republicans in favor and all Democrats opposed. GOP lawmakers described the measure as a fiscally responsible commitment to education, while Democrats complained it shortchanges students and could force increases in property taxes in 183 school districts, mostly in rural communities.

The Senate plan, which was sent to the floor for debate as soon as Wednesday, offers the same $32 million increase in state aid for the 2018-2019 academic year that was proposed Wednesday by House Republicans. Reynolds had proposed a 1.5 percent increase in school aid that would have cost $54 million.

“We need to be realistic about this. We are trying to do the best that we can to help our schools and our communities," said Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink, R-Fort Dodge.

Read more: https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/01/iowa-senate-republicans-democrats-squabble-over-1-percent-school-aid-hike/1088732001/