Letter: Water quality should be a priority

I continue to see, through the actions of the legislature and the governor, state financial resources being lost or reduced through tax giveaways and special deals for favored groups and businesses. This is causing serious budget issues with not enough money coming into the general fund to take care of the priorities of the people of Iowa.

First, the governor wanted to use money from a funding stream that is, by law, dedicated to educational needs. That proposal was unacceptable on its face. Various 'new” legislative proposals have been raised, none of which put meaningful money into play and put strong rules in place to measure if the money spent makes a difference in water quality.

I am tired of the games being played and the failure of the legislature and governor to step up, take ownership of the issue and to get the legislation written and passed that addresses the problem. A funding source, the Iowa Water and Land Legacy Trust Fund, was approved in 2010. This funding program should have been by enacted the legislature years ago.

Bottom line, the water quality issue requires a significant, protected funding source, with strong oversight and measured results, not the ideas coming out of Des Moines.

David Krug

North Liberty