Gronstal says Dems will prevent preschool cuts

(AP) - A day after the House voted to eliminate Iowa's program of providing state-paid preschool to all 4-year-olds, the Senate Democratic leader said Thursday he was confident the program would be restored.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, acknowledged voters signaled a desire for reduced spending when they gave Republicans a strong House majority and elected a GOP governor. But Gronstal said he didn't think they wanted to virtually eliminate state-paid preschool.

"We will put up a significant battle in the Senate to keep early childhood education," Gronstal told reporters. "I'm very confident we have the votes to take out their elimination of early childhood education."

On a party-line vote, the House on Wednesday eliminated $60 million in spending on preschool as part of spending cuts Republicans say will save $500 million over three years. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Scott Raecker, R-Urbandale, said lawmakers would consider later restoring some of that spending to help low-income families pay for preschool.

The House-backed spending cuts also reduced many other programs, ranging from curbing the state's anti-smoking efforts to forcing state workers to pay for a portion of their health insurance costs.

The measure now goes to the Senate, where Democrats hold a 26 to 24-seat majority.

House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha, told reporters that the package of spending cuts might change in the Senate, but he expected preschool would be scaled back.

"I am confident that preschool as it exists today is going to change," said Paulsen. "What the final change looks like, I don't know."

Paulsen noted that Gov. Terry Branstad, who will send his proposed budget to the Legislature next week, has campaigned strongly against providing state-paid preschool to most 4-year olds. Branstad and Republican legislators have argued the state can't afford preschool while carrying out plans to reduce overall government spending and reduce business taxes.

"I think the House and the governor are the closest," said Paulsen.

Gronstal said no decision had been made on whether the Senate would even take up the House-passed measure. Instead, it might start from scratch on a new budget package.

The Legislature must agree to spending cuts because projections predict a shortfall of up to $700 million, and members of both parties have promised not to increase taxes. Democrats blame the shortfall on a sluggish economy and Republicans argue it's due to big spending by Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, who lost to Branstad in November.

Branstad has said little about his proposed budget, but he issued a statement Thursday praising the House for tackling the budget crunch quickly.

"This bill is a recognition that Iowans do not want the state to continue to spend more than it takes in," said Branstad.