With the 2023 Iowa Legislative Session over, Senators and Representatives have a chance to look back on what was accomplished.

House Representative for District 23 Ray Sorensen says that there are a few parts of the budget that he’s especially happy with. He mentions that the number one budget he usually keeps an eye on is the Economic Development Budget, and adds that this year lawmakers maintained their commitment of $366,000 to the Butchery Innovation Fund, which helps small meat related businesses. Sorensen tells Raccoon Valley Radio about two other pieces of the budget that saw some added funds.

“We increased the appropriation to the Home and Community Based Services Rent Subsidy Program that provides monthly rent assistance to Iowans on Medicaid to help them live successfully in their own homes. (It) actually saves the state money by avoiding higher cost of institutional based care. This year’s budget increased the appropriation from $215,000 to over $873,000. Also, another highlight of the budget was it maintains a commitment of $500,000 to the Housing Renewal Pilot Program created last year to expand affordable housing across the state.”

Sorensen explains they also maintained the $700,000 commitment for the Empower Rural Iowa Fund, and allocated roughly $60,000,000 to the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund.