Branstad plans to shrink government

(AP) - Gov.-elect Terry Branstad says his first priority is to put together a spending plan to begin shrinking state government by 15 percent over five years

In an interview with The Des Moines Register on Wednesday, the former four-term governor says he plans to save millions by filling only the minimum of more than 2,000 state positions vacated by early retirement in June.

Leaders in the new split-party Legislature say the idea has merit.

However, Senate Democrats vow to block another priority of the incoming Republican governor - a two-year budget. Branstad has said a biennial budget would provide more stability in planning.

Senate Democratic Leader Mike Gronstal, of Council Bluffs, says it would give Branstad too much control over too much money.

Branstad also said Thursday he will request resignation letters from all state agency heads and urged officials to delay filling vacancies on the Iowa Supreme Court until he takes office.

Two days after he was elected to his fifth term, Branstad called for the letters, saying he'd review them and decide who would be asked to keep their jobs.

Branstad noted he might offer Democratic Secretary of State Michael Mauro a job, saying he's been fair. Mauro lost his re-election bid Tuesday.

Asked about the three justices, who were removed in a retention vote Tuesday, Branstad noted nominations for new judges should wait until he's in office.

Branstad, a former four-term governor, spoke Thursday on the public television program, "Iowa Press."