Republican legislators are setting aside two-and-a-quarter million dollars to finance new internships and apprenticeships associated with the “Future Ready Iowa” program. Governor Kim Reynolds launched the initiative in 2016 when she was lieutenant governor, to encourage enrollment in science, technology, engineering and math or “STEM” courses. Democrats complain the Reynolds Administration plans to spend 425-thousand dollars to advertise the program. Senator Bill Dotzler, a Democrat from Waterloo, says “We don’t need to do this. You know it isn’t right. This stinks.”

That’s . Dotzler says says the money would be better spent helping students pay for college or technical training. And Dotzler objects to the already-signed contract that calls for airing ads touting the governor’s signature “Future Ready” program in September, October and November — during the height of campaign season. “It smells like there’s something in the governor’s wood pile,” Dotzler says, “and it smells like inappropriate use of public dollars for political purposes.”

Brenna Smith, a spokeswoman for Governor Reynolds, says the Future Ready program is a top priority of the governor and Reynolds will continue to make sure Iowans know they may apply for so-called “last dollar scholarships and grants” that can help students land “high-demand jobs.” Reynolds plans to ask legislators to provide the MONEY for the “last dollar scholarships” next year.

(Radio Iowa)