The Iowa House of Representative approved changes last week to worker’s compensation laws.

State Representative Ralph Watts tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the changes were necessary in the 100 year old law, and that the new legislation is good for both business and the Iowa worker, as if worker’s compensation costs are too high, businesses could be driven out of state. Watts also shared that an additional budget shortfall of $131 million has been identified for fiscal year 2017, and funds will have to come from state reserves and cuts. When asked if school funding already promised might be cut, Watts told Raccoon Valley Radio that everything is on the table.

The legislature previously had allocated a 1.1% increase of approximately $40 million dollars to the public schools for next year.