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The second session of the 83rd Iowa General Assembly convenes Monday at the Statehouse in Des Moines. For many lawmakers, including Representative Jim Van Engelenhoven of Pella, the state’s budget is the primary concern going into the session. Van Engelenhoven says the legislature will know how much work has to be done on the budget in a matter of days, when information on available funds is compiled by the State Revenue Estimating Conference. “They will meet shortly after we go into session, and if the figures that they bring out are lower than the ones previously given to the state leadership, then by code we are obligated to use those figures,” says Van Engelenhoven, “which means there will have to be further reductions.” Jim Van Engelenhoven is a Republican, representing District 71 in the Iowa House, which includes the majority of Marion County and the Monroe area.