Thursday 25th April 2024

The Iowa Legislature has adjourned its 2016 legislative session with agreement on a roughly $7.35 billion budget that rejected an attempt to remove state funding for Planned Parenthood.

The Democratic-controlled Senate and Republican-majority House voted Friday to finish their work for the year. Their budget bills require Gov. Terry Branstad’s approval.

For weeks, lawmakers sorted through legislation for the state budget that goes into effect in July. Deals over agriculture and economic development were reached early, while decisions on health care and transportation came in the last hours of legislative activity.

GOP lawmakers attempted to remove Medicaid funding for family planning facilities that provide abortions, but the proposal created an impasse. It was eventually dropped.

Lawmakers were also unable to reach deals this session on water quality and medical marijuana.

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