Week 14 of the session is complete and we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. This past week we were busy dealing with many bills on the House Floor each day, including bills that are back from the Senate with amendments.

Last week the House passed House File 2753, a bill to create a fund for new prison infrastructure. By the end of Fiscal Year 2027 the state will pay off the 2009 bonds that paid for construction of the new prison in Fort Madison. Two thirds of the funds used to pay off those bonds will roll into this new fund, with the other third being used for programs to reduce recidivism. The funds collected in the new prison infrastructure account will be held until the legislature approves a new prison or expansion of an existing prison. The bill also calls for a study of current prison capacity and feasibility of increasing our prison capacity. We hear horror stories in the news daily of criminals with prior crimes committing more violent crimes. This is an initiative that I have been pushing for over the last few years to help ensure that Iowa is doing the right thing in protecting our citizens from violent criminals. I feel strongly that Iowa must move decisively in ensuring that we have the capacity to keep the worst of the criminals in prison to protect our citizens.

This week, Iowa House Republicans began to move our budget bills through the Appropriations Committee. These bills represent the House’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027. In total, the House proposes a total budget of $9.662 billion, which represents a 1.6% increase over the current year’s spending. The Senate has proposed a total budget of $9.623 billion. Negotiations with the Senate Republicans are ongoing as we work to reach a final agreement. Earlier in session, the Governor proposed a budget with a spending total of $9.666 billion. The Senate has begun moving the Governor’s budget proposals through its Appropriations committee, but has not revealed individual budget proposals of its own. The House budget is fiscally responsible while following through on the commitments we have made and properly funding the priorities of Iowans. As Iowa House Republicans, we have built our reputation on passing responsible budgets that have allowed us to lower the tax burden while funding Iowans’ budget priorities. Iowa’s fiscal position is sound and we are recognized nationally for our strong and stable state budget.

As always, I look forward to seeing you at the Capitol or in the district.