Sen. Hogg: Branstad lacks “Midas Touch”

State Senator Rob Hogg calls for renewed bipartisan approach for better economic development

State Senator Rob Hogg (D-Cedar Rapids) issued the following statement today in response to the news that the total number of employed Iowans fell by 7,800 since June, and is now down a total of 8,200 since Governor Branstad became Governor in January:

“Governor Branstad ran for office promising to create 200,000 new jobs.  Since becoming Governor, however, Iowa has now lost 8,200 jobs.  When it comes to job creation, it is clear that Governor Branstad does not have the ‘Midas Touch.’

“Governor Branstad has taken a scorched earth policy to most of the economic development programs created by Governor Vilsack and Governor Culver, including elimination of the Iowa Power Fund, cutting the Iowa Values Fund for business development by 60%, refusing to fund rail development, vetoing the earned income tax credit for lower-income working families, vetoing restored funding for the community attraction program, and closing workforce offices across the state.”

“It is time for Governor Branstad to work with legislators of both parties on a renewed bipartisan approach for better economic development, just like Tom Vilsack did in 2005 and 2006.  Vilsack’s accomplishments during that time included a ten-year, pay-as-you-go Iowa Values Fund for business investment and job creation; investment tax credits for small business; and incentives to attract renewable energy manufacturing and production.  These measures helped expand Iowa’s manufacturing sector when that sector was in decline in most of the country.  It is time to work together on job creation and better economic development.”