News from the State House
by State Representative Patti Ruff
Thousands of Iowa kids head back to the classroom this week at schools and colleges across Iowa, mine included. We sent off our oldest to DMACC (Des Moines Area Community College) back on August 15th with a few tears but happy hearts on his next stage in life. Our other two sons started on Monday as a junior in high school and as a third grader.
This is always my favorite time of year, but not so for our schools. Unfortunately, this year our educators and students face even bigger challenges as they try to do more with less. We’ve got amazing teachers and school leaders striving to do what’s best for our kids, but the Governor’s veto of education funding and the funding delays from Iowa House Republican leadership have made it extremely difficult to keep class sizes low and keep updated textbooks and technology in the classroom.
As a result of the veto, 500,000 Iowa K-12 students will notice outdated textbooks, old technology, and fewer teachers this year. About half of Iowa’s school districts will also be raising property taxes this year to make up the funding shortfall.
Thousands of Iowans are also attending one of Iowa’s 15 community colleges this fall. We know these local colleges play a critical role in building Iowa’s skilled workforce by helping people of all ages get the skills they need to land a good job. However, community college tuition rose again this year and the Governor vetoed additional money approved by the Legislature to keep tuition low.
For the first time in three years, Iowa students attending University of Northern Iowa, Iowa State University or the University of Iowa will be facing higher tuition in January. After lawmakers worked out a deal to freeze tuition for another year, the Governor vetoed the compromise without warning and took away $6 million. Iowa students already carry some of the highest debt in the country so the Governor’s veto means it will take them even longer to pay off their student loans.
Please feel free to contact me with any comments or questions at patti.ruff@legis.iowa.gov.
