Governor Culver delivers final Condition of the State address

Gov. Chet Culver praised and thanked a host of Iowans today for helping to move Iowa forward and begin rebuilding from economic and natural disasters that posed major challenges during his four years at the helm of state government.

“We're rebuilding Iowa in a stronger, safer and more sustainable way,” Culver told a joint convention of the 84th General Assembly in delivering his fourth and final Condition of the State address before he ends his four-year term on Friday and turns the keys to Terrace Hill over to incoming Republican Governor-elect Terry Branstad. “I am confident our administration has left the state in a better position than we found it.”

Culver, the first incumbent governor in nearly 50 years to be denied re-election by voters, said he was leaving office feeling “a broad range of emotions” but overall was “deeply grateful” to have served as governor and was proud of his administration's record in advancing renewable energy, expanding health care and preschool opportunities for children and achieving a host of other accomplishments.

“I am happy to report the condition of our state is strong today, and we are well-positioned for growth, greatness and prosperity tomorrow. This is especially true when it comes to renewable energy, our children, new 21st Century jobs, and disaster recovery,” Culver said during a televised address.

“We've accomplished a great deal together and moved our state forward these last four years, despite governing through some very challenging times,” he added. “Looking back, perhaps one of the things I'm most proud of is that we kept the promises we made to Iowans. We did what we said we were going to do.”

Since the time he took office in January 2007, the West Des Moines Democrat said Iowans faced the sharpest economic downturn since the Great Depression, the worst natural disaster in state history with damages approaching $10 billion, a flu pandemic, and the largest deployment of Iowa National Guard troops since World War II.

“Time and time again, we have successfully overcome our challenges, and I believe we are a better state and a better people for it,” he said.

Culver thanked lawmakers for working with him to streamline, downsize and reform state government in ways that will save more than $300 million annually and have created a projected $950 million surplus by next June 30. However, he noted that a progress report being issued today by the state Department of Management notes there is more work to be done.

“This report identifies additional steps that should be can taken, such as improved debt collection, further information technology consolidation and targeted strategic purchasing,” he said. “These steps will save $84 million in the current fiscal year. I encourage you to continue these efforts.”

“We've also passed along a detailed report to the incoming administration that includes five proposed changes in Iowa law that will help improve egg safety and training standards in the wake of the salmonella outbreak last summer. These are only two examples of ways in which your action will be necessary. But I have no doubt you will meet these challenges and many others head-on,” he told members of the split-control Legislature.

Culver said Iowa has made great strides in establishing itself as a national leader in renewable energy and biofuel production the past four years.

With the help of private-sector partners, Culver said 40 wind farms have been built with more than 4,700 windmills operating across Iowa and more than 200 Iowa small businesses are now employing thousands of people in the wind energy supply chain. That effort was part of a “clear and consistent” focus on creating 21st century green-collar and information technology jobs.

“Thanks to our Department of Economic Development and its board of directors, we've partnered successfully with 280 businesses that have agreed to create or retain a total of 28,000 good-paying Iowa jobs,” Culver said.

“Our job creation and work force development efforts are now paying big dividends. In fact, our unemployment rate is now at 6.6 percent, or 33 percent below than the national average, and the seventh lowest in the nation,” he added. “As a result, Iowa has now regained more than a third of the jobs it lost during the recession and just last week it was reported that we're now on track to reach pre-recession employment levels by the third quarter of 2012.”

The governor also said Iowa is leading the nation in children's health insurance by adding coverage for 58,000 kids to receive basic health-care services and has enrolled an additional 23,000 children in preschool during the past three years - meaning 90 percent of 4-year-olds now have the opportunity to attend a quality preschool program, up from just 5 percent a few years ago.

And, thanks to our Department of Economic Development and its board of directors, we've partnered successfully with 280 businesses that have agreed to create or retain a total of 28,000 good-paying Iowa jobs.

Culver also praised the Iowa National Guard and throngs of “resilient” Iowans who were involved in the 2008 flood fight, and paid tribute to an I-JOBS bonding program that has been the target of GOP attacks for providing $330 million in state help for nearly 100 separate flood recovery and mitigation projects in 37 flood-affected counties.

The outgoing governor praised Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, his wife, Mari, and others for their service the past four years, while congratulating the newly elected legislators and statewide officials, including Governor-elect Branstad and Lt. Governor-elect Kim Reynolds, on their victories. “I wish you Godspeed and good luck in the future,” he said.