Legislators ask governor, "Can we talk?"

Republican legislators want to start talking about next year’s state budget priorities with democrat Governor Tom Vilsack. House Speaker Brent Siegrist, a republican from Council Bluffs, says starting the discussions now could avoid problems next spring.Siegrist says despite partisan differences, legislators and the Governor have some common priorities, and they could begin working on those.Siegrist admits it’s unlikely they’ll be able to do much before the election.Joe Shannahan, a spokesman for Governor Vilsack, says Vilsack plans several meetings this fall to talk with Iowans about their spending priorities, be it teacher pay or workforce development.Shannahan it’s a bit premature to start talking about the state budget year which begins July 1st, 2001.