Governor Chet Culver says he’s "getting the job done" and is unconcerned about criticism from Republicans who say he’s misleading Iowans about the state’s finances.
Earlier this week Culver’s budget director touted a small uptick in state tax receipts in July, while the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency concluded overall state tax collection still lag behind last year. The chairman of the Republican Party says Culver either doesn’t understand the budget or is intentionally misleading Iowans. Culver, a Democrat, says that’s just rhetoric.
"We’re coming up on an election year and I think what you’re seeing is a lot of kind of political rhetoric and any number of people considering running for governor and that sometimes can add to the level of partisanship," Culver says.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Roberts of Carroll says Culver should be "more honest" and "up-front" with Iowans about the state’s real financial condition. Candidate Bob Vander Plaats Sioux City accuses Culver of a "bunker mentality" that is disconnected from reality. Culver defends his administration’s fiscal record.
"We’re getting the job done and we will manage through this economic downturn just like we have for the last 30 months," Culver says.
Culver made his comments early this afternoon in Ames where he visited an Iowa State University solar project. Culver then traveled to Riceville to visit the Crane Creek Wind Farm which has 66 turbines.