Iowa Governor Terry Branstad says school administrators who’re complaining about the level of state support for schools should NOT resort to raising local property taxes, but should make the kind of budget choices he’s made.

Branstad says he’s not calling for teachers to be laid off, however.

Branstad took final action on the state budget plan earlier this month, approving a roughly four percent increase in state spending overall. Iowa’s K-through-12 public schools are getting a one-and-a-quarter percent increase in general state aid. Branstad says schools are also getting 100-million dollars for a teacher leadership plan that will pay some teachers more to be mentors and give schools money to hire more teachers in targeted areas.

Branstad warns the state may be heading into a recession due to “substantial losses” in farm income and state tax revenues may fall. Branstad says that “economic reality” is the main reason he vetoed the extra 56 million for schools. Republican and Democratic lawmakers say the budget plan they sent Branstad was already pared down below the state spending level Branstad had recommended.