When the Iowa Legislature convenes on Monday, senators and representatives will focus on economic development with hopes of aiding education.

Local legislators said students should not be optimistic when it comes to education funding from the Legislature.

Rep. Jane Greimann (D-Ames) said she doesn’t believe Gov. Tom Vilsack will be able to increase education spending.

“I don’t think the majority party has the will to replace the money [students have] lost over the last four years,” Greimann said. She said she believes funds should be put into education and education spending should be held constant.

Sen. Herman Quirmbach (D-Ames), an associate professor of economics at Iowa State, said education is one of his top priorities. “I have a personal commitment to try and pull down any future tuition increases,” he said.

Quirmbach said the availability of funds will influence Vilsack’s decision to increase education spending.

“I know that the governor has a commitment to increase education funding and I have every respect that he intends to keep that commitment,” he said.

Ames Republican Rep. Jim Kurtenbach, ISU accounting professor, said tuition increases happen in every state and it’s important to consider how large or small the increases are and how they are adjusted to the cost of living in the state.

Steffen Schmidt, university professor of political science, said he doesn’t think increases in education spending are possible due to a lack of funds.

He said he predicts there will be a freeze on tuition increases. “Higher education is seen as an engine that will restart the economy so I have a feeling that higher education is not going to be high on the list of where to cut,” Schimdt said.

“They’re [legislators] faced with the worst possible decision as

leaders, to have a lot of programs that you feel are important,” Schmidt said.

Quirmbach said there are not a lot of places for cuts to be made, especially in programs such as Medicaid, as the state has a large elderly population.

Schmidt said something needs to be done to balance Iowa’s budget. “You can’t raise taxes because everybody is so nervous about it but you can increase fees and freeze programs,” he said.

Kurtenbach said the Legislature will focus on government efficiency and wealth creation in Iowa.

“I personally want to significantly simplify our tax structure in Iowa because our state regulations are viewed as impediments for job creation,” he said.

Kurtenbach said it’s important for state leaders to make Iowa a place where college graduates would like to remain and work.

“The main thing is trying to create jobs so that students have a place to work [in the state] when they graduate,” Kurtenbach said.

Greimann said students should make efforts to contact their state representatives and senators.

“I encourage students to continue to stay in touch with their legislators and let them know how their tuition increases have affected their budget,” Greimann said.