Details of the spending plans Republicans in the legislature have crafted are dribbling out at the state capitol, but these draft plans are not yet available online for public review. Representative Cindy Winckler of Davenport, a Democrat, says that is a concern because the House Appropriations Committee plans to vote on the G-O-P’s education budget today (Wednesday).

“So we have a very short time period for individuals to have input on this bill,” Winckler says. Republican Representative Cecil Dolecheck of Mount Ayr says he has been getting feedback from lobbyists who represent institutions that are going to see budget cuts.

“From the comments and stuff that I’ve been getting, the public is fairly well aware of what’s already in the bill,” Dolecheck said, laughing. Winckler said: “I would imagine that some of the public is, but not all of the public and until it’s online, it isn’t a public document.”

Republicans plan to reduce state spending at the state universities by 32 million dollars in the coming year. The University of Northern Iowa’s budget reduction would be about half of what Republican legislators are recommending for the University of Iowa and Iowa State University.

(Radio Iowa)