Capitol update

Budget Update
The House is nearing the end of its discussions of the various portions of the state budget. Below are the basic results of the Ag/Natural Resources, Education appropriation, RIIF, Transportation and Administration/Regulation budgets.
Ag/Natural Resources
• Appropriates a total of $43.1 million from the General Fund
• Other sources such as Federal dollars and miscellaneous state funds also contribute to the Ag/Natural Resources budget.
• The General Fund dollars also include 1,569 Full Time Employee (FTE) positions for FY 2017
• This bill maintains the current level of funding from FY 2016 and increases FTE positions by 96.1.
• The Ag/Natural Resources bill provides appropriations for agriculture, natural resources and environmental protection programs in the state.
Administration/Regulation
• Appropriates a total of $50.8 million from the General Fund and authorizes 1,248.8 Full Time Employee (FTE) positions for FY 2017
• This is a decrease of $1.1 million in funding from the General Fund and an increase of 7.9 FTE positions compared to estimated FY 2016
• This bill also appropriates a total of $54.2 million from other funds. This is an increase of $1.7 million compared to estimated FY 2016
• Appropriations from the Administration/Regulation budget fund the executive branch of state government, regulation bureaus and banks.
Education Appropriations
• The Education Appropriations Bill appropriates funding to the college student aid commission, department for the blind, department of education and the state board of regents.
• This budget includes a total of $1,009.8 million from the General Fund and 12,299.6 FTE positions for FY 2017
• The total appropriation represents an increase of $4.9 million and 293.8 FTE positions compared to estimated FY 2016
Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund (RIIF)
• The RIFF fund is the primary funding source for public infrastructure related expenditures. Under Iowa Code, the RIFF fund can only be used for vertical infrastructure projects such as buildings and other structures. The RIFF fund does not include funds for roads and bridges.  
• Appropriates a total of $108.6 million for FY 2017 and $8.1 million for FY 2018
• This bill includes an appropriation of $1,920,000 to close agriculture drainage wells.
• This bill also allocates $5,200,000 to the Water Quality Initiative
Transportation
• Appropriates $378 million to the DOT
• Includes $2.3 million from the State Aviation fund
• $50.4 million from the Road Use Tax Fund
• $325.3 million from the Pacific Rail Fund
• The bill includes 2,789 Full Time Employee positions
The legislature is very close to completing its work for the year and soon I will be traveling home to spend the summer farming, campaigning and preparing for next year. There may be an occasional newsletter about particular items of interest over the next several months, but this is officially the last issue of Capitol Highlights until next session.
Thanks for reading.