GOP senators unveil 'responsible' $7.5 billion budget

DES MOINES — Senate Republicans on Thursday began piecing together a $7.48 billion fiscal 2019 state spending plan they said would fund priority needs while minority Democrats slammed it as a “starvation budget” intended to make room for tax cuts for wealthy Iowans and corporations.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved eight separate budget bills — mostly on 11-7 party-line votes — designed to fund education, environmental, judicial, infrastructure and public safety programs in the fiscal year that begins July 1.

Majority GOP senators plan to address health and human services and standing appropriations next week as they work to complete the 2018 session.

“We’re still working on what the final level will be,” Senate President Charles Schneider, R-West Des Moines, said in discussing efforts to reach agreement with the GOP-led Iowa House. “But we believe it’s a responsible amount that is fiscally responsible.”

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