The Iowa Legislature adjourned Friday after a 2016 session marked by battles over a tight state budget, the failure of legislation to pay for water quality projects, and the passage of business tax breaks aimed at spurring economic growth.
The Iowa Senate wrapped up its work at 6:10 p.m. The Iowa House finished eight minutes later, after putting the final touches on a $7.3 billion budget for the state fiscal year that begins July 1.
The session's last day saw a flurry of action that included deals between Democrats and Republicans on two contentious spending bills that had been roadblocks to an end to the session.
One of the bills, which provides $1.8 billion for health and human services funding, was approved after Republicans withdrew a plan to defund Planned Parenthood. Instead, lawmakers agreed to double the amount of state tax credits for adoptions.
Lawmakers also passed a transportation spending bill that includes a $4.85 million cut in funding requested for the Iowa Department of Transportation. DOT officials had sought a $9.7 million increase, warning that the agency could lose more than 400 employees over the next four years without the money. The DOT got half of what it wanted, and a spokeswoman said department officials were reviewing the Legislature's action.
More at:
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2016/04/29/who-won-who-lost-iowa-legislature-heads-home/82654494/
