Branstad vetoes several measures, signs others

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad used his veto power to cut new park ranger and conservation positions and a new deputy director for the work force development agency, along with several changes to the state's Health and Human Services Department budget.

The five veto messages were sent late Friday afternoon from Branstad's office. Among the eliminations was the creation of a Medication Therapy Management program that would review all the medications and supplements being taken by individual state employees and allow the state to use that information when it goes out for bids.

“Although I believe the state must find ways to reduce the cost of health care for employees, MTM could end up costing taxpayers more than the program would save,” Branstad wrote in his veto statement. “Further, employee benefits should be properly bargained rather than codified into law through legislation.”

The governor also signed the state's education reform package and 15 other bills into law.

In a signing statement accompanying the education measure, Branstad called the legislation “a first step toward improving the quality of education in Iowa.”

He went on to say that “bold reform is still needed” and specifically mentions teacher leadership roles.

The governor has announced a symposium at Drake University this summer to discuss teacher and principal roles which he said would be at “the heart” of a 2013 education reform proposal.