Representative Greg Heartsill tells KNIA/KRLS News House Republicans are working hard to make up the fiscal year 2017 budget shortfall now estimated at 117 Million dollars.

Heartsill acknowledges the situation is fluid, but tells KNIA/KRLS News the legislature is certain of a few cornerstones in the budget process. Education especially will be held harmless, according to Heartsill, who says he feels the legislature made a promise when they announced supplemental state aid numbers. He says the 10% across the board cuts in 2009 were devastating to education, public safety and health and called them a mistake not to be repeated. Iowa school boards had to make up more than $500 million in funding they had expected to receive. To avoid an across the board cut, Heartsill says the House is targeting specific entities and programs where money has yet to be spent. He says the process will likely make many unhappy and question why one agency was cut and not another, but he emphasizes that tough decisions are being made because they must be. Heartsill was sworn into a new term Monday after staving off a Democratic challenge from Martin Duffy of Knoxville in November.