Branstad compares Dems to children in budget fight

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds on Tuesday compared Democratic lawmakers in budget discussions to children who want to spend more than the family makes, arguing that "the mother and father" must guard the family interests.

Branstad announced that he would drop plans for a trade mission to South Korea and China, sending Reynolds in his place so he could keep bargaining over the budget. The two issued a statement criticizing Democrats who hold a majority in the Senate, and Reynolds then scolded Democratic leaders at a news conference.

Reynolds compared the budget debate to a family that is paid on Monday but must pay the mortgage on Friday.

"The mother and father understand something, they understand that on Friday the mortgage is due," Reynolds said. "Spending all of the money would leave them without funds to keep a roof over their head."

Branstad said he will hold firm in talks with Senate Democrats.

"They continue to insist on spending more than the state is taking in," Branstad said. "We are not going to go down that route."

Democrats released a letter they sent to Branstad arguing that they have sought a middle ground but have been rebuffed.

"We have all publicly stated that we want to avoid a state government shutdown," the letter said. "Senate Democrats have backed up those public statements by making multiple offers designed to be a middle ground between what you originally proposed for a state budget in January and what the Senate has already approved."

Branstad said he's more than willing to compromise, but that so far Democrats haven't offered a middle ground. He said the bottom line is the administration will insist on a new state budget of just under $6 billion, but is willing to make compromises within that limit.

"Within those guidelines there is the opportunity to accommodate some of the concerns that Senate Democrats have, if they give us a list of those," said Branstad. "To date, they have been unwilling to do that."

Republicans are pushing for their budget target despite State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald's estimate that Iowa will end its budget year on June 30 with roughly $1 billion in reserves.

Branstad said voters endorsed his tough spending stance in the last election when they ousted former Gov. Chet Culver. In remaining at the Statehouse, he said he will apply pressure to lawmakers to act.

"I intend to stay here and hold their feet to the fire," said Branstad.

Democratic legislative staffer Ron Parker said that as of midday Tuesday no new bargaining sessions had been scheduled, though the two sides have vowed to negotiate throughout the week. Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, will be the lead bargainer, he said.

The governor said he has accepted that his proposal to overhaul the state's preschool system and his call for steep cuts in corporate income taxes are unlikely to win approval this session, and that it's time for Democrats to make concessions as well.

Branstad said he has contingency plans in place if no agreement is reached by the end of the budget year on June 30, but he dismissed speculation about a government shutdown. In their letter, Democrats urged Branstad to make public plans for such a shutdown.

"We believe that Iowans being empowered with vital, accurate information about the consequences of a state government shutdown would be helpful in pushing Republican and Democratic negotiators to find common ground and avoid a disaster," the Democrats said.