Rep. Ruff, Sen. Breitbach hold town hall meeting in Lansing

Area residents gathered at Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library Saturday morning, April 13 for a town hall meeting with State Senator Mike Breitbach and State Representative Patti Ruff. Much of the discussion focused on the proposed closure of the Luster Heights Correctional Facility, which Breitbach said he has been working hard to keep open. He said that funding to keep the facility open is included in an appropriation bill that has cleared the Appropriations Committee and is expected to pass in the Senate, adding that he has spoken to Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, who said he would not veto the bill if it passes the House. Funding for education was also discussed at length, with Ruff stating that the four percent allowable growth requested by schools has been tied to the education reform bill, which is complicating bipartisan agreement. Photo and report by Bob Beach.