Branstad spokesman confident budget struggles won't lead to shutdown

Gov. Terry Branstad's spokesman Tim Albrecht insisted Friday there will not be a state government shutdown in Iowa on July 1.

And, Albrecht said there are not contingency plans in place in the event that the split-control Legislature fails to reach a budget agreement that the governor can sign by June 30.

“There are no plans for a shutdown. There will not be any shutdown. Any language to the contrary is inaccurate at best and misleading at worst. We intend to keep government open come July 1,” Albrecht told reporters.

The governor's office today responded to requests under the Freedom of Information Act from Iowa's largest public employees' union, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 61, the Cedar Rapids Gazette and the Des Moines Register to release documents, emails and other government materials related to plans for halting all but essential government services should not fiscal 2012 spending plan be authorized when the new year starts on July 1. At first blush, much of the information released appeared to be copies of news articles and editorials addressing the subject.

“The governor has broad executive powers in situations such as this and if the Legislature fails to hold up to their responsibility and fails to pass a budget by June 30, then the governor will have the responsibility of keeping government open on July 1 and he intends to do so using those broad emergency powers,” Albrecht told reporters. “He's still working with the Department of Management to ensure that the health, safety and well-being of Iowans is not compromised if the Legislature fails to uphold its obligation.”

Albrecht declined to say whether a partial government shutdown was being contemplated no budget agreement is in place by July 1 or whether the governor could use transfer powers to temporarily fund operations. He said all options are being studied but nothing definitive has been decided.

Senate GOP Leader Paul McKinley of Chariton, who was present for a brief Senate gathering Friday on the session's 159th calendar day that involved a skeleton crew of leaders, said he was optimistic a government shutdown could be averted.

“I think the basis of a solution will show itself before July 1,” McKinley said. “I think the odds are with it two to one.”

Top House and Senate leaders met briefly with Branstad's chief of staff, Jeff Boeyink, on Friday and the Iowa Senate, which is controlled 26-24 by Democrats, expects to resume work next week to begin passing new budget bills that leaders hope will become the framework for compromises with the GOP-run House that will bring the overtime 2011 legislative session to an end.

“I have reason to be encouraged,” said House Speaker Kraig Paulsen, R-Hiawatha.

Boeyink said Branstad plans to get personally involved in the closed-door discussions next week and all the parties and is “committed to resolve this well before the 30th.”

Senate Majority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, said “things continue to be a bit unpredictable,” but he added that “if people of good faith come to agreement, we can find a strategy to execute.”