Local legislators held their final legislative forum as the 2017 session wraps up over the next few weeks.

State representative Guy Vander Linden and State Senator Ken Rozenboom met with constituents at Happy Joe’s in Pella to discuss bills recently passed in the Statehouse. Topics covered included taxes, budget cuts, Wellmark dropping out of the healthcare exchange, and what remains in the session, Vander Linden says lawmakers have yet to tackle next year’s appropriations for the fiscal year, but they’ve agreed to cut off spending at $7.245 billion, which is less than the current budget.

These cuts will impact next year’s finances after many departments were impacted by $118 million of reductions in the beginning of the session after revenue estimates fell short of projected targets. Chairs of various budget subcommittees will begin review programs this week.