Special to the Globe Gazette
DES MOINES â House Republicans rejected Democratsâ attempts to increase spending transparency by Gov. Kim Reynolds while approving a budget of more than $150 million for certain state departments that included $100 million for broadband infrastructure.
Democrats accused the Republican governor of playing a shell game that makes it difficult, if not impossible, for lawmakers and the public to follow her spending on her staff, many who received substantial pay raises, bonuses and overtime pay despite not working for hourly wages.
Amendments to House File 867, which was approved 55-37 on a party-line vote, were about checks and balances âon behalf of taxpayers so they can understand and can easily track how their tax dollars are being spent,â said Rep. Chris Hall, D-Sioux City.