Iowa lawmakers are continuing to work on the state’s budget for the next fiscal year.

House District 20 Representative Ray Sorensen tells Raccoon Valley Radio the House passed the administration and regulation budget, which included the $100 million allocation for grant incentives for broadband internet access that was signed into law this past week by Governor Kim Reynolds. 

Another budget that Sorensen is directly involved with is economic development. Sorensen points out the budget includes $78 million to continue the state’s economic development. Some of those allocations include $6 million to the Department of Cultural Affairs, $3 million for a Child Care Challenge fund, $1.8 million for the I-JOBS training program, $1.2 million for regional tourism and marketing, $750,000 for small meat processing and meat locker expansions, $700,000 for a skilled worker and job creation fund, and $500,000 for non-professional sporting events.

The legislative session was scheduled to end on April 30th, but lawmakers will return next week to continue budget negotiations without their paid staff.