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Budget preparations will leave some lawmakers waiting in limbo

Thirteen weeks down and three left to go. On the one hand time has flown by very quickly, but on the other hand it seems like we have been here way too long. As I have stated many times, the one thing we absolutely must get done each year is approving next year’s budget. We are getting started on that process in the House.

Our last day is April 28th. As of today, I would say there is no way we are going to make that date. The Senate was not in last week and the rumor is they are not going to be in for the next two weeks as well. Remember this is just a rumor I heard in the rotunda. But usually, the rumors are close to what is really going on. It always makes me smile when the people outside of the chamber know more than those of us sitting on the floor.

The toughest part of these next few weeks is the time we spend in limbo. This occurs when we are waiting for agreements to be made between the House and Senate Budget Committee chairs. Once they come to an agreement, we set about amending and approving bills in both chambers. However, just the moving of bills across the rotunda from one chamber to the next takes an unbelievable amount of time, creating that limbo time that weighs on me. Sitting around is not in my nature or in the nature of many of the legislators here. Farmers do not sit still very well and tend to be frustrated. It feels like you only get a few days at home to squeeze a week’s worth of work in preparing and getting equipment ready for spring and before you know it, Monday morning rolls around and it’s time to head back to Des Moines.

I must take a minute to thank Becky, my wife, for taking care of everything at home and Joe and Kayla for taking care of the farm and caring for the sheep while I was at the Statehouse. Without them I could not be in Des Moines representing the people of House District 7.

Senate does not advance Veterans Trust Fund bill

Earlier in the session the House unanimously passed House File 142 to increase the appropriation to the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund to $800,000 annually. This is a bill that my brother as well as many of the veterans from my district came to the Capitol and talked to me about. Currently, the fund receives $500,000 annually from the Iowa Lottery to help eligible veterans and their families with emergency needs. The Senate did not advance this bill past second funnel. The Senate still can consider the bill next year. It is a disgrace that the Senate did not take up this bill for our veterans that need a little help from time to time.

The governor did approve $440,000 of funding to cover the backlog of Iowa Veterans Trust Fund grants since November 2022. The Iowa Commission of Veterans Affairs had been approving grants during this time without ensuring there were sufficient funds in the trust fund. Last session, the legislature allowed for an additional investment of the fund, which has resulted in significantly higher interest payments since going into effect this fall.

Property tax

Like all of you I received my Notice of Assessed Value statement from the county assessor this week. The House is working on a property tax relief bill. Hopefully in the next week we will be able to roll it out so Iowans can see what the bill contains. But like most bills that are good for Iowans and is what they are asking for, will die in the Senate.

State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, represents Calhoun, Pocahontas and Sac counties plus western Webster County.

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