As the Iowa Legislative session has been suspended through the rest of April, lawmakers continue to discuss one main issue: the state’s budget.

Iowa House District 47 Representative Phil Thompson of Jefferson says he has been in contact with other lawmakers on handling the next fiscal year’s budget. He shares his thoughts about the March Revenue Estimating Committee projections for the state’s revenues in the upcoming fiscal year that starts on July 1st, while also considering COVID-19 impacts.

“The Revenue Estimating Committee actually only adjusted about $12 million down from where we were (in December). We want people to stay home, we’re asking people to stay home, and we slowed down our economy intentionally here. We don’t think that’s quite where we are (with the REC estimate).”

Thompson points out with COVID-19’s impact, they will need to figure out an accurate projection for where state funds are and how much the economy has slowed down. He believes the budget will be finalized before the start of the next fiscal year.

“That’s why all the work that we’re doing now is really important. Just getting our ducks in a row (and) communicating virtually so that when we show up it’s business, and we’re taking our votes and going back home if we have to.”

Thompson adds, most policy bills are being pushed lower on the priority list so that lawmakers can focus mostly on the state’s budget.