Gov. Vilsack [D-IA] OKs $503 million fund, vetoes $310 million tax cut ; GOP says veto illegal

The Des Moines Register ^ | 06/20/2003 | JONATHAN ROOS and LYNN OKAMOTO

[newgeezer]

Republican legislative leaders accused Gov. Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, of acting illegally Thursday in vetoing portions of an economic stimulus package, including a $310 million income tax cut, while approving the creation of a $503 million development fund.

"The Legislature has no choice, really, but to defend itself" by bringing a lawsuit, said House Speaker Christopher Rants of Sioux City.

[newgeezer]

Since the bills passed, Vil(e)Sack went on his annual "walk across Iowa," allegedly to talk to citizens about the issues and decide whether to sign. Now we know it was to give his henchmen time to determine whether he could get away with the line-item veto on the policy bill.

[Redbob]

It sounds as if the GOP in Iowa is a bunch of sore losers.

The people of Iowa gave the governor that line-item veto power in '68, so this shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone, right?

I'm not defending the Dims, but what would we be saying about this if the shoe were on the other foot?

[Eric in the Ozarks]

You are correct. Bob Ray used the item veto.

[newgeezer]

It sounds as if the GOP in Iowa is a bunch of sore losers. The people of Iowa gave the governor that line-item veto power in '68

Sore losers? As the article says, "In general, the governor can use his item-veto on budget bills, but not on policy legislation." The Republicans are saying the Governor vetoed policy legislation. Seemed pretty clear to me.

[ssantomaur]

It's true the Gov has the power and has the right to use it. However the GOP legislature can inform him that they won't fund his internet tax (which will pay for this) unless he signs the tax cut. Then Vilsack woon't be able to spend the fund since there is no money unless he caves.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Not a Vilsack fan.
The real problem with government in Iowa is there's too much of it for the population. 99 counties, 350 plus school districts, etc. Of course, the first think a conservative legislator does when he reaches Des Moines is pledge to protect the courthouse and its bureaucracy back home.