Contact:     Steven Garrison     

319-385-3462

Governor Vilsack’s Management

            Mt. Pleasant, IA – Governor Tom Vilsack lacks in management skills necessary to lead the state of Iowa.   That’s the conclusion of a Public Interest Institute BRIEF.   Research Analyst Steven Garrison says Vilsack’s opponent in the November General Election has provided evidence to support this conclusion.

          Garrison cites Governor Vilsack’s poor management of state finances as proof of his lack of management expertise.   Governor Vilsack defends himself by comparing Iowa to other states during these tough economic times, and the fact that Iowa has not raised taxes but instead used a portion of the state’s Economic Emergency Fund.   Garrison says what the Governor does not say however, is  the only reason there is still money in the fund, is the Legislature hasn’t let the Governor spend all of the fund at once.  

          Garrison also cites Governor Vilsack’s claim to save the state money by reorganizing three state departments.   Garrison says while the reorganization efforts did eliminate several jobs, it did not save the state any money.   He says in fact the reorganized departments are spending more in Fiscal Year 2003 then they did in FY 2002. 

          Garrison concludes that both the Governor and the Legislature have put off the state’s budget problems by financing government by using reserve funds, at least the Legislature has made an effort to curb state spending.

          For additional information on this INSTITUTE BRIEF or any other Public Interest Institute publication, you may contact PII at 319-385-3462, or log on to the PII web site at:
www.limitedgovernment.org.

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