Governor doesn’t like Auditor’s characterization of budge mess

Governor Tom Vilsack is unhappy with the State Auditor for the way he’s classifying the latest state budget deficit. Auditor Dave Vaudt says he will note in an official report to be issued in December that last year’s state budget was in the red by over 60 million, but that there’s plenty of cash in reserve to cover the shortfall. Vilsack says the Auditor’s reference to a “technical violation” is “baloney.” Vilsack says the Auditor’s words were “ill-chosen” and suggest something illegal occurred. Vilsack says he submitted a balanced budget and the legislature passed a balanced budget. Vilsack met Wednesday with some of the financial firms that’ll issue a rating used for state bonds. Vilsack says the budget is balanced because there’s plenty of cash in reserve and the agencies are “very likely” to maintain the state’s bond rating.