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Culver Modifies Budget Cuts

By Justin Foss, Reporter

By Daren Sukhram

Story Created: Oct 28, 2009 at 6:28 PM CDT

Story Updated: Oct 28, 2009 at 6:28 PM CDT

DES MOINES - State budget cuts are changing.

Governor Culver announced revisions in a plan to slash 10% in state spending on Wednesday.

He says the changes will protect public safety, even during a budget crunch.

The governor says he wants to avoid laying off 500+ workers at the Department of Corrections and the Department of Public Safety. But to do that, he says the unions representing those workers need to re-negotiate their contract.

Culver says no matter what, he is cutting $565-million dollars from the state budget. But he says he would prefer not laying off hundreds of workers, like prison guards and troopers.

He gave their unions until Friday November, 6th to re negotiate.

"We have a pathway to 565. So if we are not able to find an alternative, we're moving forward with the layoff," said Culver.

Also Wednesday, Culver said he would avoid cuts to programs such as substance abuse, voluntary pre-school and homeless shelters.

To do that he is requiring all state, non-contract workers, to take seven furlough days.

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