What is the Governor’s plan for Iowa’s cash reserves?

A lot going on in the news lately to keep people occupied, even alarmed, but I keep thinking back to an old story that's not been resolved or explained.

Iowa's $4B bank account has piled up from cutting programs that benefit Iowans, some of “Biden's money” from COVID relief and other programs to restart our economy. Some say it's $6B but who knows? I call it unadministered benefits that we paid for, and have been waiting years for our government to return to us. The rainy day fund is full and this is just “extra.”

There's not enough money to fund schools at the rate of inflation, no money to monitor nitrate levels in our rivers and lakes or to help farmers find better ways to keep chemicals out of the groundwater and likewise upkeep at our state parks, but you're sitting on $4B, Governor.

Mental health and long-term care for profoundly disabled? Shut down, even though we have $4B. We turn down federal money for SNAP to install a program that offers little choice for fewer people and it's harder to access, even though we have $4B laying around. Unemployment processes have been “fixed” to force us lazy citizens out of our hammocks, but no money for job training, child care or transportation help.

What's your plan for it, Governor? When will you administer the benefits we've paid for?

Do you think you get to take it home with you when you (finally) leave?

Jeff Guhl

Solon