Vilsack repeats pledge to keep teacher pay away from the budget knife

Governor Vilsack met this morning with teachers in a Des Moines high school who are involved in a new state-sponsored mentoring program. Vilsack used the occasion to repeat his pledge not to cut state support of K-through-12 schools. Vilsack says he wants to continue reassuring teachers in the wake of budget changes.Two weeks ago, Vilsack asked most state agencies to make a seven percent budget cut. Republican legislators say they should be called back into special session to deal with the state’s budget dilemma, but Vilsack says not so fast.Vilsack says there needs to be an agreement on what might be accomplished in a special session first.