Former Governor and current Republican candidate, Terry Branstad, is calling on Governor Chet Culver to replace the director of the Department on Aging.
Branstad says Culver, a Democrat, should remove John McCalley as the Department on Aging director, saying it is wrong that it takes an order from the federal government for the state’s long-term care ombudsman to do her job.
Reports say McCalley told the ombudsman she could not express an opinion on state or federal legislation without the approval of the governor’s office, which is a potential violation of federal law. Branstad says the current administration is trying to keep Iowans in the dark when it comes to the work of state government.
Branstad says the Culver administration’s insistence on secrecy and closed doors is an affront to Iowa taxpayers and must not be allowed to continue.
Jim Flansburg, a spokesman for the governor, issued a response saying: “The Department on Aging has a history of strong advocates, employees and commission members. Part of the duties of an agency is to ensure it works within the changing rules of the federal government. To that end, the governor has directed John McCalley to assure that all departmental practices and policies are in full compliance with all applicable federal law.”