House approves spending plan that slashes funding for prisons

DES MOINES - Spending on Iowa's prison system will be slashed by nearly $11 million under a plan approved Wednesday in the Iowa House.Most areas of the state budget are seeing steep cuts, and the state's justice system was no exception.

Rep. Todd Taylor, D-Cedar Rapids, said in order to meet budget targets, lawmakers had to impose significant cuts.

Overall, the state's justice system budget, which includes corrections, the Iowa Department of Public Safety, the Iowa Attorney General's Office and other agencies, saw $18.4 million in cuts.

"These are the areas that we believe are essential functions of government and every single cut is very difficult," said Taylor, who guided debate on the bill.

The state prison in Fort Madison is losing $3.6 million - the largest cut to any prison. The decrease in dollars is close to the cost of operating one of the prison's farms, although lawmakers are not directing prison officials to close it. The site is expected to be the site of a new prison to replace the aging maximum security facility.

Taylor said they don't know yet if the cuts will mean layoffs. That could depend on whether federal stimulus dollars become available for those areas of the state budget.

Rep. Christopher Rants, R-Sioux City, complained that the bill cut funding to domestic violence shelters, although Democrats say federal stimulus dollars will ensure those shelters stay open.

"Use your tax dollars from Iowans to create a safe and secure environment for women fleeing domestic violence in their own home. It's a simple choice," Rants said.

Rants offered the idea of delaying purchases to the state's vehicle fleet for a year to funnel money to the shelters, which was rejected by the House.

The House adopted a proposal offered by Rep. Nathan Reichert, D-Muscatine, that would make it easier for other furniture makers to sell to the state in some cases instead of furniture being provided by Iowa Prison Industries. Reichert said it will save the state money.

In other action Wednesday, the House:

-- Approved Senate File 456, which expands tax credits for wind energy projects in an effort to expand renewable energy production. A report released earlier this week found that Iowa's wind energy production has tripled since 2006.