Iowa lawmakers say there is no money for reading program

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — There's no money to pay for a new state-mandated summer reading program for struggling third-graders in Iowa so the requirement should be delayed by a year, lawmakers in a legislative budget group said Tuesday.

Lawmakers on the Education Appropriation Subcommittee agreed to add language to a budget bill to formally delay it.

Branstad's move had surprised education advocacy groups that argued cash-strapped school districts could be on the hook to pay for the program.

The proposal comes as the Iowa Legislature struggles with a state budget that many lawmakers said has limited new money.