While You Were Sleeping

Gov. Chet Culver wielded his veto pen just before a midnight deadline last night to take final actions on the work product of the 2009 legislative session. The press release popped on my BlackBerry around midnight.

I can't remember a governor wrapping up his work in the dark of night like this.

The Des Moines Register and Radio Iowa have coverage.

One item that Culver vetoed would have provided more transparency into how state tax credits for businesses are being used and whether we're getting any bang for our bucks. We would have gotten a list of companies that receive $500,000 in research and development credits.We could have followed our money.

But Culver says that would prompt a court challenge from companies that want to remain secret recipients.

The governor also signed legislation that will slice nursing home fines for facilities that self-report errors and make changes. Advocates for the elderly opposed the legislation.

Again, not sure why Culver couldn't announce this stuff during the considerable daytime hours we have this time of year. But I guess it's fitting considering the legislative session also ended in a groggy stumble.