DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Gov. Terry Branstad is starting a series of public budget hearings to get input from state department heads.
Branstad on Friday heard from several departments, including Iowa Veterans Affairs, the Iowa Board of Parole and the Iowa Public Defender. The departments spoke about budget needs for the 2014-2015 fiscal year, as well as their ongoing goals.
Branstad says he will take further department testimony and hear from the public before he finalizes a budget plan.
Branstad will present a spending plan to the Iowa Legislature in January. The current budget includes about $6.2 billion in general fund spending.
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