Governor Chet Culver to Reduce Next Years Budget by $580 million

Governor of Iowa, Chet Culver, has requested $580 million dollars in budget cuts for next year’s budget.

Departments including Education, the Glenwood Resource center, Homeland Security, Medicaid and Hawk-I, Victims Compensation, Workforce Development, Corrections and Public Safety, were not affected by the cuts.

“If they need an extra correctional officer or state trooper, in the name of public safety, they’ll be able to fill that position. Most agencies won’t be able to fill vacancies or add additional staff,” said Culver.

The governor says that each department head will decide how to impose the cuts; whether through layoffs, furloughs or less spending.

“I can’t predict what’s gonna happen. But I do not anticipate going back and making changes. I am proposing a budget that will balance in 2010, leave a balance of $73 million. It’s not a game. We’re doing what we have to do by law to balnce the budget. We’re not anticipating coming back. We’re doing the responsible thing.”

Department of Management Director Charlie Krogmeier said, “I don’t think in most cases, frankly, that departments are going to be able to absorb these cuts and not see some kinds of changes. Whether the grass gets mowed as often or the parks aren’t open as often, some of those thigns have to be looked at.”

Some Republicans think more cuts could and should be made.

“We’re going to go through the individual line items and we’re going to find opportunities to save taxpayers money,” Said Republican House Leader Kraig Paulsen.

Paulsen claims that Culver’s taking $200 million out of the state’s rainy day fund is a bad idea.

“Getting in this early in the process is setting us up for even worse situation in subsequent years,” said Paulsen.

The budget process should come to a close some time in April.

Keep up with budget cuts around the country at Employment Crossing.