Governor Tom Vilsack is raising concerns about republican budget plans he says will “hurt real people.” Republicans intend to cut six areas of the state budget, such as economic development, agriculture, transporation and public health. Vilsack says a $1.5 million cut in the Iowa Workforce Development agency will force the closure of unemployment offices in rural Iowa. Vilsack is also critical of a four percent cut in programs at the state universities which help small businesses. Republican legislators say Governor Vilsack’s concerns about proposed state budget cuts won’t put their plans on hold. House Republican Leader Christopher Rants of Sioux City says it’s a classic philosophical battle between the democrat Governor and republican legislators. House Speaker Brent Siegrist, a republican from Council Bluffs, says Republicans are only ‘saying no’ to excessive state spending.
