Budget and Tax Reform Remain

March 29, 2018

The Legislature is still working to set the budget for fiscal year 2019, which will begin on July 1, 2018. The budget is expected to be more than $7 billion. As legislators develop the budget, expect to see most of the dollars spent on education and human services. ABI will be watching budgets for policy language, as well as any changes to programs members take advantage of, such as the skilled worker and job creation fund. ABI also closely reviews the Economic Development/Iowa Workforce Development budget to ensure monies in the unemployment trust fund are not spent in a manner that jeopardizes the trust fund. Once the budget targets are developed and published, it will give those at the Capitol a better idea of what type of tax reform is possible. The Legislature’s adjournment goal is April 17, or the 100th day, and when the per diem ends.