Legislators remain at odds over the main function of the Iowa General Assembly — coming up with a state spending plan. For example, the two parties have been wrangling since January over how much state aid to forward to Iowa’s public schools for the school year that begins in August. Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal of Council Bluffs says Republicans are “unwilling to compromise.”

“It’s kind of messy for them,” Gronstal says. “Their leadership says: ‘We’ve drawn a line in the concrete…not the sand. We’ve drawn a line in the concrete and we’re not going to go over that.'” House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, a Republican from Hiawatha, says Republicans in the House are sticking with their original proposal which would forward an additional one-and-a-quarter percent in general state support to public school districts.

“The members of the House Republican Caucuses, 57 of us, have had extensive conversations with Iowans about balancing on-going revenue with on-going expenses,” Paulsen says, “and that’s exactly what they have asked us to do and that’s what they expect us to do.”

The latest report from the Legislative Services Agency indicates the state collected four-point-six percent more in taxes last month when compared to April of last year. Paulsen and his Republican colleagues in the House want to develop a budget plan that’s less than what Republican Governor Terry Branstad and Democrats in the Senate have proposed. Paulsen has said the ultimate goal is to return that money to Iowans in the form of a tax cut.

(Radio Iowa)

The mayors of three of Iowa’s largest cities say they’re searching for the money to buy body cameras for police officers. Council Bluffs Mayor Matt Walsh says “We actually started to investigate that well over two years ago, prior to the most recent instances that have happened throughout the country. We think juries will come to expect that type of evidence in a trial, so we think it’s probably the wave of the future.”

Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie says cameras in Des Moines Police patrol cars have “gone a long ways” in helping prove cases in court and equipping Des Moines cops with body cameras is being given “strong consideration.”  “Which would be helpful in conversation between the officer, substantiate what was said, how it was reacted to by the offender or the accused offender and could help make the case one way or the other,” Cownie says. “and protect both public safety and the individual.”

The mayors made their comments during a joint appearance this weekend on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program. Iowa City plans to have its police equipped with body cameras before this fall. A few departments in Iowa have been using body cameras. A main expense is not the camera itself, but finding a way to store all the video that’s recorded.

(Radio Iowa)

Here is the latest Iowa news from The Associated Press

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — At the center of the unresolved Iowa budget is a simple disagreement on how to count the money. On one side are Senate Democrats and Governor Terry Branstad, who support using some surplus budget dollars to balance the books. On the other side are House Republicans, who say the state should not spend more than the projected revenue for the fiscal year.

SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP) —As another legislative session winds down with only a limited chance of action on a proposal to keep alcohol offenders out of jail with twice-daily sobriety testing, Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Drew is discouraged. “This should be a bipartisan issue,” Drew tells the Sioux City Journal.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Public health has been defined by the World Health Organization as “the art and science of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts of society.” The Press-Citizen reports starting in the fall of 2016, undergraduates at the University of Iowa will have the option of emphasizing either the art or science component as the UI College of Public Health begins two new bachelors’ programs.

IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — Since the 2008 floods, Iowa City has purchased and leveled more than 90 homes, but and now the city hopes to expand the effort after last year’s flooding. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the city wants to secure more $1 million in state and federal money to buy nine flood-prone properties along the Iowa River.

A woman living in an apartment on West 6th Street in Atlantic suffered 1st and 2nd degree burns to her hand and leg while trying to put out a fire this (Sunday) morning. Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees told KJAN News said they received word at around 9:45-a.m. there was a fire in an upstairs apartment at 304 W. 6th.

Upon arrival, crews found the victim, 42-year old Angela Jo Hillhouse, and a lot of smoke in the apartment, but the fire was out. During an investigation, McNees observed several candles burning in the apartment, and Hillhouse told officials a candle started the blaze, but the exact cause remains under investigation. For now, the cause is listed as accidental.

Hillhouse was transported by Medivac Ambulance to the Cass County Memorial Hospital, for treatment. Her 8-year old son was not injured. The apartment sustained some light smoke and carpet damage. The building houses four apartments, but none of those residences were damaged. The fire department ventilated the apartment and left the scene at around 10:25-a.m.