Auditor seeing major improvements in Iowa budget

State Auditor David Vaudt likes what he sees in Iowa's budget picture, saying the governor and Legislature have made big progress in strengthening the state's finances.

Speaking with reporters Monday, Vaudt noted the state still spent about $53 million more than it took in in the current fiscal year, making up the difference by shifting money from one-time funding sources. He says that compared to about $600 million in spending from one-time sources in the previous fiscal year.

Much of that funding came from the federal stimulus effort.

Vaudt is a Republican who campaigned for fellow Republican Terry Branstad in his successful campaign for governor against Democrat Chet Culver. Vaudt had been highly critical of previous state budgets approved by Democrats and Culver.