Keokuk, IA – State Representative Jerry Kearns (D-Keokuk) says the hardest part of the session was making the cuts needed to balance Iowa's roughly $6-billion budget. He says that while jobs could be lost, he is confident that Governor Chet Culver will use federal economic stimulus money to backfill some of the cuts.
Kearns says that while much of the focus was on the state's budget troubles... other issues came to the forefront during the last four months. He says the number two issue had to be disaster recovery.
Kearns says millions of dollars will be available for individuals, organizations and cities. He says relief will also come through Governor Chet Culver's I-Jobs program.
Kearns expects a number of labor-backed bills (fair share, choice of doctor, and prevailing wage) to come up again when the Iowa legislature meets next year. He says lawmakers could also be asked to vote on a resolution calling for a public vote on a constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage.
You can hear more with State Representative Jerry Kearns about sex-offender legislation and health care for children by clicking the audio link above.