(Radio Iowa) – Republicans in the Iowa House have released an overall state spending goal for the next budgeting year that’s 82 million dollars higher than Republicans in the Iowa Senate have proposed. It’s also slightly higher than Governor Reynolds proposed in January. Republican Representative Gary Mohr, of Bettendorf, is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.

Mohr says the plan spends substantially less than projected tax revenue in the coming year, leaving room to — perhaps — adopt deeper cuts in the state income tax. Mohr says just because there’s more tax money that COULD be spent means it SHOULD be spent.

Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver says he’s optimistic the Republican-led legislature will do more for the taxpayer before the 2024 session ends. Democrats say Iowans deserve more information about the tax and spending plans Republicans are developing — and public schools deserve more state support.

Earlier this week the governor signed a bill into law that sets the general level of state spending on K-12 students in public and private schools. It also raised pay for public school teachers and other school staff. Mohr, the Republican who leads the House Appropriations Committee, says a majority of state funding is spent on Iowa’s education system, so that’s a major milestone.

April 16th is the 100th day of the 2024 legislative session. That’s the date daily expense payments for lawmakers end and it’s considered the target date for adjourning the annual legislative session.