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Senators say cuts to adult education, internships and regional services will harm workforce development
Summary
Multiple senators criticized the economic development appropriations for cutting adult literacy, STEM internships and council-of-governments funding; speakers said the reductions will worsen worker shortages and remove critical supports for students and rural communities.
Several senators used floor debate on House File 2772 to criticize proposed cuts to education, internship and regional services funding, saying the reductions will undercut workforce development.
Senator Dotzler, a long‑time member of the chamber, objected that programs he described as proven — notably STEM internships and the summer youth internship programs — were eliminated from the bill: “We eliminate it.” He warned that removing those programs would undercut efforts to connect young people with new technologies and employers.
Senator Trone Garriott described a $1,000,000 cut to adult education and literacy programs and said closing that funding would hurt community members who need language and job skills: “To cut 1000000 dollars from this program will hurt the people who need it the most.” Senator Zimmer and Senator Hartman echoed the concern, arguing that internships and work‑based learning were central to the Future Ready Iowa goals and that cutting supports will make it harder to grow the skilled workforce.
Supporters of the final bill said other education appropriations remain — Senator Gruenhagen noted Future Ready Iowa funding in the education budget and said $4,500,000 is appropriated for workplace literacy programs elsewhere — but critics said the removal of line items and the lack of committee meetings inhibited a thorough review of what works.
The debate highlights a split over program priorities as the Senate adopted an amendment and passed the bill on final reading.
