Governor signs budget cuts saying he has no choice

Governor Vilsack today signed the budget passed in last week’s special legislative session. The governor’s spokesman Ron Parker says it’s not a budget the democratic governor would have written, but he’s approving it to get things moving for the state. He says after the regular session and two special sessions, the Republicans had turned a “deaf ear” to many people and priorities, and the new fiscal year approaching makes dealing with the budget the only way to move on. He says the other option of not approving the budget would be harmful.It was, he says, clear the idea of shutting down government wasn’t a good option for all the people who rely on its services. He says republicans wouldn’t budge on key issues. He says the governor and liutenant governor didn’t reach agreement they’d hoped with the republican lawmakers on many issues, but “pulled” them as far as possible.