(Spirit Lake)– Two local legislators have differing views over a call by Governor Vilsack for the legislature to permanently finance the Iowa Values Fund for atleast 10 years using gambling receipts.
State Representative Mike May of Spirit Lake agrees with the Governor and is confident most lawmakers will adopt his proposal. May says it would be a token move to show that Iowa is about much more than just gambling.
State Senator David Johnson of Ocheyedan is much more reserved. He tells KUOO news there are too many uncertainities with gambling to count on it as a permanent funding source. He adds much more accountability will be needed if the Values Fund is extended for any length of time–the governor has suggested 10 years–the program was originally intended for seven years.
Johnson also takes issue with comments from Mike Blouin, Director of the Iowa Department of Economic Development, who said he doesn’t care where the funds come from for the Values Fund…just as long as it’s funded. Johnson says the Values Fund shouldn’t be financed at the expense of other programs, including education, environmental programs, Medicaid, and other programs. He also wants to know just what’s in it for rural Iowans.
May expects the Values Fund will come up for debate early in the session, which convenes one week from today, Monday, January 10th.
