Iowa budget deal hinges on key point: How much?

DES MOINES — Top lawmakers have not settled on an overall spending total for next fiscal year's state budget. But they hold out hope deals will come together so they can shut down this year's lingering Legislature by week's end.

With legislators entering their second week on overtime — their per-diem expenses have ended — here's a primer on where things stand at the Statehouse.

Q: What's the big hold up?

A: About $166 million separates the GOP-controlled House overall spending target of $7.175 billion and the Democrat-controlled Senate target of $7.341 billion — which Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, favors.

A key sticking point is next year's supplemental state aid to K-12 schools. One idea for a compromise is committing to a 1.25 percent increase, plus a one-time infusion of $55 million that would establish a middle ground between the partisan camps without violating House GOP principles of not taking surplus money to fund ongoing expenses.

'It's a concept,' said Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs. 'It's been discussed by both sides with some interest on both sides.'

Q: What's being done to break the logjam?

Branstad reiterated Monday he expects the split-control Legislature to reach agreement on K-12 funding this session, and lawmakers were meeting to forge a deal.

Budget subcommittees and House-Senate conference committees on disputed budget bills met Monday to begin talks.

Q: How realistic is it that this will be settled this week and the Legislature adjourns?

Lawmakers are hopeful — but not optimistic.

'I'd love to get done this week,' Gronstal said. 'I don't know if that's possible, but I'm going to keep working.'

Senate GOP Leader Bill Dix of Shell Rock was skeptical about lawmakers being able to adjourn this week even with weekend work. 'I just don't see it happening,' he said.

Q: What are some consequences if deals are not reached soon?

Rep Gary Worthan, R-Storm Lake, co-chair of the House-Senate conference committees on the justice system and judicial budgets, said he is 'very concerned' some court employees will be laid off due to tight funding in a budget area where 96 percent of the cost is human capital.

'It's unfortunate and I'm hoping we can find a solution,' he said.

He had a similar concern for public safety, noting that law enforcement functions should receive enough money to avoid layoffs but said retirements and vacancies would go unfilled.

Sen. Tom Courtney, D-Burlington, his Senate counterpart, expressed similar concerns.

'Let's not be under any false pretenses, there's less money to go around this year for everything. So there's going to be cuts everywhere,' Courtney said. 'My idea is to spread it out, put it where it's really needed and make the most of what we've got.'