Iowa’s Attorney General, Treasurer, Auditor, Secretary of State and Ag Secretary were sworn in this morning. For State Treasurer Michael Fitzgerald, it’s his sixth term. Fitzgerald has served 20 years in state government, but says he’s as excited about this next term as he was his first. Fitzgerald says the state of Iowa has a lot of problems ahead, but he prefers to consider them challenges. Secretary of State Chet Culver is beginning his second term. Culver, who as Secretary of State is the Commissioner of Elections, says 300-thousand more Iowans have registered to vote in the past five years, and voter turn-out this past November was the second-highest ever for a non-Presidential year. Ag Secretary Patty Judge of Albia, who took the oath for a second term, says with uncertain economic times and all the issues the ag industry must address, it’s sometimes overwhelming to think about the future. While not calling for a tax increase to ease the tight state budget, Judge hints that somethings gots to give in her agency. Judge says if Iowans expect the same level of service from state government, a committment to a clean environment, public safety and economic growth, then state government can’t continue to be “short-changed.” Attorney General Tom Miller and new State Auditor Dave Vaudt took their oaths of office in separate ceremonies. The inauguration of Governor Tom Vilsack will be held January 17th.
