Iowa’s legislature’s return to the capitol has been delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It is adjourned until 10 a.m. May 15th. The last day the legislature was in session was March 16th. State Senator Kevin Kinney says the budget still needs to be set, “We’re going to have to look at budget numbers. And the longer the wait probably the better off and the more accurate budget you’ll be able to project, because just like the pork industry just in taxes for Washington County for state and local taxes is $10.5 million. And for federal taxes it’s $227.3 million. And when those industries are affected and we’re not getting income from those companies, our coffers are going to be much less. Ag, I believe, is approximately 33% of state revenue, so it’s a big part of what we have to work with for our budget.”

Polk County is one of the 22 that is to extend current COVID-19 precautions like social distancing and business closures through May 15th. As of Friday, Iowa has recorded 7,884 positive cases of the virus and 170 deaths.