Representatives urge residents to voice their concern
Posted: 05.24.2011 at 8:19 PM

OTTUMWA, IOWA -- As the Iowa legislative session drags on, some representatives are taking matters into their own hands.

Democratic State Representative Mary Gaskill and Democratic State Senator Tom Rielly were in Ottumwa Tuesday evening to discuss the stalemate in Des Moines. They are encouraging Iowans to call Governor Terry Branstad and voice their concern in hopes of a compromise on education and job creation.

Another hot topic is the state budget. Republicans want a two year budget; where as Democrats recommend state allowable growth. The session was supposed to end last month, and there has even been talk of a government shutdown in Iowa.

State Senator Rielly said now is not the time for Republican led cutbacks.

"Community colleges are certainly taking a hit. And this is the worst time for us to start slashing community college budgets and our regent universities as well. We have kids graduating with tens of thousands of dollars worth of debt. So I think we need to support education. That's what this is all about."

Rielly believes there can be a deal before the fiscal year begins July 1.