State aid to universities debated in the House

As about 50 college students looked on, the Iowa House waged a partisan fight yesterday over the level of state aid for Iowa, Iowa State and U-N-I. Democrats like Representative Dick Myers of Iowa City accused Republicans of cutting operating budgets at the universities. But Republicans like Representative Brad Hansen of Carter Lake contended they’ll forward more money to the schools if additional salary money is factored in. Representative Bill Witt, a democrat from Waterloo, said Republicans were using students as political pawns. He says no matter how much you “cook the books,” it’s a “real hit” to the Regents universities. Representative Bill Dotzler, a democrat from Waterloo, said Republicans weren’t providing enough money for professor and staff salaries. He says it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out there’s something wrong.Representative Brad Hansen, a republican from Carter Lake, responded. Hansen says despite what the opposition says, the budget is not a cut.The issue now goes to the Senate.