Local schools could cut teachers jobs or programs if state lawmakers don’t agree on funding soon. State law requires that allowable growth, which is the increase in state funding that districts could see, be set within the first 30-days of the legislative session.

In this case democrats are pushing for a 4-percent increase. But even though Governor Branstad signed that requirement into law, he’s urging legislators to let the deadline pass and focus on education reform instead.

“Here’s what I find peculiar is that Governor Branstad signed the allowable growth restriction in 1995 to make sure that we would do this in a certain number of days so that the school districts wouldn’t be left hanging.” says Senator Liz Mathis (D) Marion.

Iowa school districts are required to have their budgets certified by April 15th.

There is a show of bipartisanship among Iowa lawmakers this week as Republican Congressman Tom Latham is asking Iowans to help honor Democrat Congressman Leonard Boswell.

Due to redistricting, the two incumbents ran against each other in the November election.

Latham’s win ended Boswell’s 15-year career in the US House.

Tributes can be sent to boswell.tribute@mail.house.gov

They will then be read into the official congressional record.