DES MOINES, Iowa - State Auditor Rob Sand is calling Governor Reynold’s move to return $95 million in federal COVID-19 relief money a ‘partisan stunt’.
Sand says the money, which is reserved for testing students and staff members, could be used to create jobs.
Reynolds announced she had returned the funds during an appearance on Fox News Thursday night.
The state Department of Public Health released a letter after Reynolds TV appearance addressed to the Centers for Disease Control that stated the money was being returned.
The Health Department letter was dated April 23rd.
The letter also says Iowa has ample funding and testing capacity available for its schools. It further says that if the money could be used for purposes other than school testing, the state would want to keep it.
During her TV appearance, Reynolds said the Biden administration did not understand Iowa’s needs and gladly returned the money.
Sand released his response Friday, saying the money could have been used to create strong paying jobs for testing at schools, sporting events and graduations.
Sand said Reynolds' move 'makes no sense.'
(Image from Rob Sand Twitter feed)