Iowa State Senator Julian Garrett, who represents Iowa Senate District 12 and much of Warren County, is chairing the Justice Systems Subcommittee on the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee, who controls the budget.

The subcommittee controls much of the funding given to criminal justice agencies in the state, much of which is tied up in salaries. Senator Garrett tells KNIA News the appropriations committee and subcommittees can only operate on projections currently, so being cautious with the numbers is what his recommendation will be.

“We want to keep up with the cost of living and will listen to what each department needs. But we have to keep in mind that the taxpayers money is not limitless, and right now we don’t have the full budget numbers and are operating under revenue numbers that are not definite. My operation of the committee will be to not overextend and appropriate the full amount in case the revenue numbers are not as much as we thought.”

Senator Garrett also said the subcommittee will continue to follow the commitment set forth by Governor Kim Reynolds on making mental health a priority.