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Iowa Gov. Branstad not committing to approving budget plan

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June 8th, 2015 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Gov. Terry Branstad is not saying whether he will sign off on the $7.3 billion spending plan approved by the Legislature last week.  Branstad said Monday he needs to review all the budget bills backed by the Republican-led House and Democratic-controlled Senate. He declined to say how he will act on the compromise plan, which includes $7.17 billion in ongoing spending, as well as $135 million in one-time expenditures.

Branstad criticized lawmakers for failing to approve K-12 education funding for the 2016-2017 school year before they adjourned but did not say if he would try to call lawmakers back in a special session to resolve the issue. He also would not commit to a compromise plan struck to keep open two mental health institutions slated for closure.