Governor Terry Branstad has rejected a $400,000 upgrade for facilities at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.
Branstad used his item veto authority to reject the spending for ISU’s Vet Med College, saying the Board of Regents hadn’t asked for the money and he, as governor, hadn’t included it in his own budget priorities.
In early March, Iowa State University president Steven Leath said some of the research facilities on campus were “unacceptable.”
“I looked at some in the vet school the other day and they were just horrible,” Leath said during an appearance on IPTV. “It’s unfortunate that some of our faculty are working in those conditions.” Leath made his comments about a month after becoming president of the school.
Legislators had approved spending $400,000 to repair and renovate the Vet Med College. That money was included in a wide-ranging budget bill that was awaiting Branstad’s review. The governor did approve sending $100,000 in state money for the World Food Prize. He also approved spending more than $2.4 million on the State Historical Building in Des Moines. Part of that money will pay for a new visitors center.
The bill also commits state support for repair of the Lake Delhi dam.
Governors in Iowa have 30 days after the legislature adjourns to sign or veto bills and tomorrow is the deadline for action. The piece of legislation Branstad took action on today was the last bill the governor had to review.