Future Ready Iowa and Broadband Funding Approved

Earlier this week, Gov. Reynolds signed several appropriations bills into law including the Education and Administration & Regulation budget bills. The Education budget, HF 758,  included a little more than $13 million for the Last-Dollar Scholarship program that is key to implementing the Future Ready Iowa goal of 70% of Iowans with education or training beyond high school by 2025. The bill also sets a wage threshold for jobs that meet Future Ready Iowa scholarship expectations.

The governor also signed into law HF 759, which is the Administration & Regulation budget. That bill funds several state agencies such as the Department of Revenue and the Department of Administrative Services. The legislation includes $5 million for broadband expansion, which was half of the governor’s request. The governor has already stated that she plans to request $15 million for broadband in the next legislative session. She also signed into law the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure budget and the Agriculture & Natural Resources budget. The standings legislation has already been signed, and the remaining budget bills are Economic Development, Justice and Judicial.