Branstad veto puzzles groups seeking money for repairs

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Some advocates for programs that help low-income people are expressing puzzlement over Gov. Terry Branstad's decision to veto spending from an infrastructure fund, saying he preferred the money go directly to individuals.

When he used his line-item veto authority earlier this month to cut $1.8 million in spending approved by the Iowa Legislature, Branstad wrote that he would prefer state funds "be directed to the low-income individuals the agencies serve and not to the agencies' facilities."

[...] the proposed spending came from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund, which by state law can only be used for building renovation, major repairs, utilities and site development, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency.

Ford said her agency planned to use the funding for a new building that would provide privacy to clients applying for low-income assistance and a more adequate environment for early childhood education programs, which are partially operated out of a mobile unit.

In seeking money from lawmakers, Shope said she shared a seven-page summary of infrastructure requests with each lawmaker on the budget subcommittee and asked agency staff to reach out to the governor via his website about building needs.