Contact:          Danielle Plogmann                                                     February 10, 2010

                        319.290.4185

Auditor Vaudt: Culver’s Budget Violates Iowa Law

“The inability of the Culver administration to competently manage Iowa’s finances is astounding.” – Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn

DES MOINES – Iowa State Auditor David Vaudt today issued a report on Governor Chet Culver’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2011 that indicated the budget Culver presented to the Iowa General Assembly last month violates state law.

The Auditor’s report noted that Culver’s budget relies on $341 million in savings which, even if implemented, will not wholly impact the state’s General Fund, meaning his proposal exceeds the 99% expenditure limitation that is required by Iowa law. Additionally, Vaudt reports that Culver’s budget does not fully fund schools as the Governor promised.

“The inability of the Culver administration to competently manage Iowa’s finances is astounding,” said Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn. “Not only did Governor Culver propose one of the largest budgets in Iowa history last month, but now we learn that even using his rosiest of budget scenarios, his budget violates Iowa law.

“The failed leadership of Chet Culver will be felt by Iowa’s working families. From shortchanging school districts and the inevitable property tax hikes that follow to failing to meet this state’s obligations to its workforce, our Governor’s inability to manage our budget has consequences for all Iowans.

“Our governor keeps telling us that he’s fighting for Iowa’s families. Perhaps his time would be better spent fighting his urge to keep spending,” concluded Strawn.

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Click here for Auditor Vaudt’s report.

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