One of the last things that the Iowa Legislature did before going into recess due to the COVID-19 pandemic was approve the State Supplemental Aid for public schools.

However, the 2.3% increase in allowable growth that was approved and signed was based on a revenue estimating conference outlook that hadn’t taken into consideration the economic impact coronavirus would have on the state. State Representative Chris Hagenow, (R) District 19, emphasizes that even though it will make for some tough budget decisions elsewhere, the Legislature won’t go back on their promise to schools. “That’s going to be difficult to do, when you start talking about what the impact is to the rest of the budget. But Iowans have consistently said that school funding is a priority for them, and so we’re going to live up to that promise that we made because that has been enacted into law. If we make a promise that allowable growth will go up and if the Legislature doesn’t fund it, that’s a direct impact on property tax payers. And we’re definitely not going to stick property tax payers with any more of the bill than they already have to shoulder.”

Hagenow also points out that the majority of schools have either certified their fiscal year 2021 budgets or will be doing so soon, so taking away part of the promised SSA would be like pulling a rug out from underneath them. To learn more about this and other topics involving the State Legislature, listen to today’s Perry Fareway Let’s Talk Dallas County program on air and at RaccoonValleyRadio.com.