Culver minimizes possible vetoes

DES MOINES – Tough and productive budget negotiations last month have minimized the need for item vetoes to reduce or redirect state government spending, Gov. Chet Culver said Thursday.

The Democratic governor said he may trim parts of the fiscal 2010 budget, but overall he was pleased that he and lawmakers were able to leave about $100 million in the ending balance to provide some flexibility given the economic challenges of a worldwide recession.

“We had very open and honest discussions on the budget and it's not likely we'll see a lot more in cuts,” Culver told reporters. “I feel good about the process.”

Culver is slated to be in Cedar Rapids on Friday to sign five disaster-related bills, and expects to finish work on the nearly five dozen measures awaiting action by next Tuesday's deadline. He did not rule out exercising his veto power as he finalizes action on the Legislature's 2009 work product.

The governor said he is interesting in discussing ways to restructure and reorganize state government to save money and operate more efficiently. He plans to work with a legislative interim panel studying possible reorganization and expects to detail plans for lean and efficient operations in the coming weeks.