Official: Budget deal imperils Iowa Public Information Board

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) - The interim director of the Iowa Public Information Board says it’s jeopardized by a proposed budget deal.

The Des Moines Register reports (https://dmreg.co/2jtkmCV ) that the deal between Gov. Terry Branstad and the Legislature’s Republicans would cost the agency $75,000 of its $348,000 budget. The $75,000 would represent more than 50 percent of its remaining operating budget through June.

Interim Director Margaret Johnson told the newspaper Wednesday that even a temporary closure of the office could be more expensive for taxpayers because the public records and meetings laws complaints the office handles likely would end up as lawsuits.

A spokesman for Branstad says the governor believes the board can continue with a lower budget.

Last year the board staff - typically three people - processed 875 cases, including 107 formal complaints.

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Information from: The Des Moines Register, https://www.desmoinesregister.com