(photo by Sarah Beckman)
In front of more than 300 school administrators from across the state, Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Kim Reynolds fielded questions about the state education budget at the annual School Administrators of Iowa Conference in Des Moines on Wednesday.
Branstad first spoke about the importance of Iowa’s educators and administrators in facilitating a strong workforce, as well as helping the state continue to lead in education reform and high standards. After his short introductory speech, the governor took questions from the audience, mainly about his decision to veto a one-time spending bill in the state education budget.
“I have been firm on this issue of using one-time money for ongoing expenses,” said Branstad. “Unfortunately, the House and the Senate were miles apart on the issue of supplemental state aid throughout the session. I do not threaten vetoes. I know the president of the United States does that all the time.”
Branstad went on to say that he has always wanted to avoid across-the-board cuts like measures taken when he was out of the governor’s office, namely in the fall of 2009.
“I spelled out some very important principles when I came back and ran back for governor again in 2010,” said Branstad. “I said I wanted to restore predictability and stability.”
Branstad mentioned again in his response to the question that he does not threaten vetoes, and some in the audience laughed sarcastically at his repeated statement.
“I don’t threaten vetoes, I just spell out principles,” said Branstad. “I believe we should have two-year funding for education, and that those two years ought to be approved early on in the legislative session.”
The governor then apologized for the lack of activity on making a decision about the state education budget until the very last days of the legislative session in June.
“I am very sorry that it came that late, and I am very sorry that they (the legislature) used one-time money,” said Branstad. “But my position has been very clear from the beginning.”
With a few negative comments from the crowd, Branstad also credited a lagging economy for his state education budget decision.
“You know, I wish the Iowa economy was stronger right now, but we are dealing with the avian flu and we don’t know how big the losses are going to be,” said Branstad. “We also know the price of corn is well below the cost of production, and that’s going to have some impact.”
Several superintendents and state lawmakers from across the state have signed letters to the governor, asking him to call a special legislative session on the topic.
