Branstad: Schools must use resources wisely

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday that public schools should be able to avoid layoffs and higher property taxes 'if they plan and use their resources wisely.”

At his weekly news conference, Branstad defended his recent veto of $56 million that state lawmakers approved for public schools to supplement a lower-than-average increase in state aid to schools' general budgets.

School leaders and education advocates across the state have expressed concern with state funding and disappointment in the veto. Democratic state lawmakers are pushing for a special session of the Iowa Legislature to override the veto.

Branstad on Monday again defended his veto, reiterating his desire to avoid what he called bad budgeting principles employed by the previous administration.

Branstad, a Republican, blamed Democratic Gov. Chet Culver's budgeting for across-the-board budget cuts in 2009, which Branstad said caused schools to lay off staff and raise property taxes.

But with a 1.25 percent increase in state aid for school districts for the coming school year - the fifth time in the past six years under Branstad the increase has been 2 percent or less - schools say they are having to do the same thing: lay off staff and raise property taxes.

Schools say low budget increases have forced them to reduce staff or leave positions vacant, and many districts are eligible to use the state's budget adjustment funding mechanism, which is funded by property taxes.

Branstad said Monday he thinks school districts should not have to lay off staff or raise property taxes.

'Not if they plan and use their resources wisely,” Branstad said, saying he has done the same by reducing the size of state government. 'They need to look at everything that helps economize and make them be more efficient in delivering services.”

Federal assistance appeal

Branstad said he has not yet determined whether he will appeal the federal government's refusal of his request for disaster assistance funding to respond to the bird flu that decimated the state's poultry and turkey industries.

Branstad acknowledged the challenge of an appeal to the same administration that originally denied the request.

Branstad said he is concerned not only with the damage done by the outbreak this spring and summer, but with a potential recurrence this fall and next spring when migratory birds return.

Straw poll's demise

Branstad said he will not second-guess the decision made by the Republican Party of Iowa to cancel its straw poll fundraiser, even in a year when a litmus test may have helped winnow the party's large field of presidential candidates.

The party canceled the straw poll after the national party expressed concerns with the state getting two bites at the candidate-nominating apple and after many candidates said they would not appear at this year's event.

'I'm not going to second-guess the decision of the Republican Central Committee,” Branstad said. 'There's a lot of opportunities for candidates.”