Branstad’s “broad powers” may not exist

[rurallib]

(from an email from IDP)

Branstad’s “broad powers” may not exist

Governor lacks plan and authority to keep government open

DES MOINES – With Governor Branstad’s government shutdown looming, the latest developments make his missing shutdown plan even more reckless. While administration officials contend the governor has broad power to keep government open, they have neglected to mention that Iowa law allows those powers only when the legislature is not in session.
Iowa Code Chapter 8.39 states that the governor’s power to transfer money to agencies “is not authorized when the general assembly is in regular session,” which it still is. However, Branstad continues to mislead the public about what a shutdown would mean, saying he has “executive powers to use in an emergency situation to continue to provide services to Iowans.”

“Iowa law makes it very clear that Governor Branstad does not have the authority to spend unlimited money during a shutdown,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “It’s very reckless for Governor Branstad to make promises he can’t keep, while refusing to plan for a shutdown.”
After it was revealed Friday that, contrary to previous statements by the governor, no shutdown plan existed, administration officials stuck to their talking points that the government would not shutdown. Branstad’s spokesman claimed “The governor has broad, executive powers in times of emergency, for instance if they refuse to pass a budget by June 30, then on July 1 it's the governor's responsibility to keep government open.”
“The governor’s ‘broad powers’ were designed to allow the state to respond to natural disasters, not a crisis that the Governor Branstad and Republican leaders are manufacturing. Iowans deserve open and honest government, unfortunately this isn’t it,” added Dvorsky.
In Minnesota, where they’re also facing a government shutdown on July 1st, Governor Mark Dayton has released a contingency plan and vowed to not accept his paycheck if a shutdown occurs.

View this release online: http://www.iowademocrats.org/?p=6962

[Bluzmann57]

1. Iowa law be damned!

Branstad can do whatever he wants because well, he's branstad and he's bought and paid for by the repuke machine. Still, it would be nice if he'd give up his salary.

[rurallib]

2. he would of course still have his pension to fall back on.

laws, rules, regulations - they don't quite mean the same to republicans that they do to Democrats.