STATE AUDITOR TALKS MONEY IN SC

SIOUX CITY---IOWA STATE AUDITOR DAVE VAUDT VISITED SIOUX CITY FRIDAY TO INFORM THE SIOUXLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE STATE'S CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATION.

VAUDT SAYS THE RECESSION IMPACTED IOWA AND LEGISLATORS SHIFTED EXPENSES ONTO A CHARGE CARD, WHICH CAUSED A VARIETY OF PROBLEMS.

HE SAYS THE 2012 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET WILL MAKE IMPROVEMENTS IN THE AREA OF FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

A BRIGHT SPOT FOR THE STATE IS THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, WHICH IS FAR BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.

THE STATE OF IOWA WAS PREVIOUSLY SPENDING $1.14 TO EVERY DOLLAR TAKEN IN.
UNDER THE NEW BUDGET, THEY'RE DOWN TO $1.04.

VAUDT SAYS IT TOOK SEVERAL YEARS TO DIG THE HOLE THE STATE IS CURRENTLY IN AND IT WILL TAKE SEVERAL YEARS TO CLIMB BACK OUT.