State Senator Michael Breitbach: Do something about water project funding

Both Republicans and Democrats in the Iowa Legislature say getting funding for water projects in the state will be one of their top priorities this session.  But the two sides differ on where the funding should come from and how much it should be.

State Senator Michael Breitbach of Strawberry Point notes, "I receive frequent communication from Iowans about water quality and how to improve it."  He supports Senate File 512, which provides for a dedicated funding source for voluntary water quality improvement efforts.

Democrats, however, say the bill calls for spending up to $27 million a year , with the funding coming from money currently used for schools, local governments, and building infrastructure.  They also complain that the bill has no provision to monitor the results of the water projects, with a review committee that would not meet until 2027 and then every 10 years after that.