ESTHERVILLE, Iowa (KTIV) -
It was a standing room only crowd in Estherville, Iowa, on Saturday for a forum with three Republican lawmakers. They had questions on everything, ranging from the state to the federal government.
Those leaders were Iowa Congressman Steve King, and state lawmakers, Sen. Dennis Guth and Rep. Tedd Gassman.
"I think it's really great to have Congressman King here because we a lot of times get asked questions about the federal government and it's just not something we can do anything about down at the Iowa Senate," said Guth.
The capacity crowd included many Republican supporters. But even those who don't side with the G.O.P. came out to learn about the issues.
"This is part of the process. We need to be informed. We need to listen to both sides of the idea to make your decision," said Watt.
While many fear the impact of the across the board cuts known as sequestration, Kind says they need to happen.
"We're using the collateral of the labor of babies not yet born, to borrow money from the Chinese and the Saudis and American domestic loans as well to run a government that can't live within its means during one of the most prosperous times the world has ever seen," said King.
King says a balanced budget isn't as far away as some might think, but it won't come without work from Congress.
"It could happen if the House is determined to hold our ground and refuse to increase the debt ceiling, in say the time it comes to a head in mid-summer," said King.
Meanwhile, the state of Iowa has a surplus of nearly $700 million. It's the challenge of what to do with that money that lawmakers are facing, now.
"Once we spend that $688 million, it will not be replaced. There's no tax, no fund, anything else that's going to replace that $688 million," said Gassman.
Guth agrees, saying the money can't be used on long-term projects, like road repairs, but it could mend bridges.
"We only repair a bridge once in the next 40 years," said Guth.
And these lawmakers are still hoping to find changes that can last
