LIVE CHAT: Culver to deliver upbeat message, plans to emerge from recession

Streamlined and efficient is better.

That's the message Gov. Chet Culver hopes to convey to state lawmakers and Iowans Tuesday when he delivers an upbeat view of how Iowa can emerge from a national recession and state budget crisis in a stronger position while avoiding deeper cuts and layoffs.

Culver plans to promote a host of “big, bold” ways state government can shave up to $400 million by offering employees early retirement incentives, merging data processing centers, making joint purchases, collecting past-due money owed the state and implementing other sweeping changes.

“We have an opportunity here to really reform the way we deliver services and run government,” Culver said in an interview. “I'm excited about those opportunities. It's my job to convince them that we can do these things and we must.”

The governor said he will make his case when he delivers his Condition of the State address to a joint convention of the 83rd General Assembly. The 10 a.m. speech will be televised statewide.

Culver told reporters the speech will present a chance to “set the record straight” regarding his efforts over recent months keep the state's budget in balance and will include a “surprise” for schools. The governor did say he wants to maintain the fourth year, $15 million commitment to fund preschool and early childhood efforts, and protect priorities in work force development, children's health care, veteran services and renewable energy in upcoming budget talks.

“We've got a lot of challenges that remain, but I'm optimistic about our future,” he said.