DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Iowa Gov. Chet Culver says he'll sign an executive order cutting the state budget by 10 percent in response to a big drop in tax revenue.
Speaking Thursday at a news conference, Culver estimated the cut will amount to about $600 million.
If the economy improves and tax revenues increase, Culver says he'll ask the Legislature to add back money to state programs with an emphasis on health care for children, public safety and jobless benefits.
Culver ruled out increasing taxes.
The across-the-board cuts followed an announcement Wednesday that state revenues in the current fiscal year were expected to be about $415 million less than previously forecast.
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