Cost saving should start from the top

I read the article about Gov. Terry Branstad telling the University of Iowa Hospital that it can do better to eliminate waste from the food being produced there (“Branstad: Hospitals could do more to reduce food waste,” Jan. 25).

He encourages the schools and state institutions to reduce food waste. Schools, hospitals and state institutions are under strict labor issues. Yet, they have to figure out all these new “plans” to recycle, eliminate waste, reduce cost, etc., while still providing healthy, low-cost food.

I realize $180,000 is a lot in food cost and that it's one institution. Did you know the state spent $280,000 for a staffer to find voter fraud? The state also spent $3.2 million in tobacco prevention, $750,000 on Quitline services alone. We all can trim fat from the budget and the governor should do the same. If he was so concerned about smoking, why is it OK to smoke in a casino?

If Branstad wants to save money, make it mandatory for all state buildings to install and implement solar panels, wind turbines, and other cost-saving devices.

Rob Bly

Coralville