Gov. Chet Culver announced in a press conference Thursday that he will not call the state Legislature into a special session to handle state budget cuts and will implement an immediate across-the-board cut in state spending.

Culver cut 10 percent of the state budget, which is about $600 million. The cuts take effect Thursday.

Based on the state appropriations to the Board of Regents for this budget year, which began in July, the Regents will receive about a $60 million cut.

He said that it is “unclear at this time” how many state employees would be laid off, but that there will be layoffs.

“We can’t wait; we cannot delay; we have to act,” Culver said.

Under the Iowa Constitution, the governor’s only options, when facing budget shortfalls, are to call the Legislature into a special session or issue an across-the-board cut.

He said the reason why he did not call a special session of the Legislature is because the state needs to act quickly, and, with “250 line items” and “150 voices” in the general assembly, it would take too much time.

“I don’t think the people of Iowa can afford to wait,” he said.

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