Gov. Terry Branstad says the budget he’ll present tomorrow along with the annual Condition of the State Address is “very tight," but he adds lawmakers shouldn’t be caught off-guard by want he’s proposing this legislative session.
"There's no surprise," says Branstad. "I think I've done a pretty good job of visiting with legislators about the tough decisions we have to make."
Branstad says he’s proposing an additional $145 million for K-12 education, and says Iowa can afford this increase due to the upcoming privatization of Medicaid. Last year the governor first announced plans to privatize management of the state’s Medicaid program, when he released his proposed budget. Branstad did not mention the initiative in his Condition of the State address.
