Governor Tom Vilsack has ordered a top to bottom review of his staff and state agency leaders, with changes to come. Vilsack, who lost his voice at about three o’clock this morning, says he’s sure changes will occur, but he doesn’t yet know when or where or who. He says every successful business does periodic reviews. He says the start of a new administration gives him a natural opportunity to look things over. He says he also heard a lot of concerns being expressed during the campaign.State economic development programs will be under the microscope, as Vilsack says he’s “very focused on building the economy of this state.” He says one of the concerns is that they’re so involved in so many different aspects of government and there’s a need to focus on some very key major inniatives.Vilsack says his victory was a “vote of confidence” from Iowans for the agenda he articulated during the campaign. He says the people of Iowa have sent a clear message empowering the administration to pursue and agenda that will transform the economy.Vilsack, though, faces a Republican-controlled Legislature which has been reluctant to endorse his priorities in the past. Vilsack says the election “empowers” him to work with legislators in a “bipartisan” fashion. He says the campaign validates the agenda that was put forward throughout the campaign.Vilsack met with reporters this morning at Terrace Hill, the Governor’s mansion.
