Reynolds' office getting a $500,000 budget increase without adding any full-time staff

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$500K budget increase for Gov. Reynolds' office leads to unanswered questions

A major budget increase for the governor's office is raising some eyebrows in the Iowa Senate.

Iowa Starting Line journalist Ty Rushing tweeted a recap of what he called a jaw-dropping conversation in the Senate chambers Wednesday.

Link to tweet

Des Moines Sen. Janet Petersen (D) asked Fort Dodge Sen. Tim Kraayenbrink (R) why Gov. Reynolds' office was getting a $500,000 budget increase without adding any full-time staff.

Sen. Kraayenbrink reportedly said he didn't know and that he'd asked the same question.

"OK, I know in the government reorganization bill the governor was given the authority to change all of the salaries, payments to those that are remaining in the cabinet and it appears received some significant bonuses. Do you believe that would be what that money would be?" Sen. Petersen asked.

"Pretty sure that is not what this is for," Sen. Kraayenbrink said.

"OK, but you don't know how the governor is using the extra 500-thousand dollars?" Sen. Petersen asked.

"Yes," Sen. Kraayenbrink replied.

https://cbs2iowa.com/news/local/500k-half-a-million-dollar-budget-increase-for-gov-reynolds-office-leads-to-some-unanswered-questions-for-lawmakers-on-the-senate-floor