Iowa Gubernatorial Debate

Incumbent Governor Terry Branstad (R) and State Senator Jack Hatch (D) met in a debate for Iowa’s gubernatorial race. The second of the series of three debates focused on economic prosperity and job creation.

The debate, held at Edward Stone Middle School in Burlington, Iowa, was co-sponsored by the Greater Burlington Partnership, the local alliance of chambers of commerce, as well as KWQC Television in the Quad Cities and the Burlington Hawk Eye.

[*The transcript for this program was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.]

THE BURLINGTON HAWKEYE NEWSPAPERS AND THE GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP. FOR THE NEXT HOUR, TERRY BRANSTAD AND JACK HATCH, HIS DEMOCRAT CHALLENGER, WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS FROM OUR PANELISTS. LET'S INTRODUCE THEM, KENNETH, DANIELLE, AND THE MANAGING EDITOR OF THE HAWKEYE, DALE. WE'LL ALSO BE GETTING SOME QUESTIONS, FROM YOU, OUR VIEWERS AND READERS, THROUGH TWITTER AND FACEBOOK LIVE THROUGHOUT THIS PROGRAM. USE THE HASHTAG #IOWAGOVERNORDEBATE. PLEASE WELCOME TERRY BRANSTAD AND JACK HATCH. >> THE OVERALL THEME, IF YOU WILL, CONTINUE IS ON THE ECONOMY, FROM JOBS TO JOB CREATION TO INFRASTRUCTURE. OUR FIRST TOPIC WILL BE ON JOBS. IN THIS, WE WILL TALK ABOUT JOB CREATION, TAX 00:01:51 Unidentified Speaker

INCENTIVES, LIKE THOSE USED TO BUILD THE FERTILIZER PLANT THAT'S BEING BUILT RIGHT NOW NOT FAR FROM HERE, AND THE MINIMUM WAGE. BUT WE BEGIN WITH JOBS. JOB CREATION AND SUSTAINMENT IS ALWAYS A VERY BIG POLITICAL PROMISE AND POINT OF CONTENTION AMONG CANNED CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR OFFICE. DANIELLE BEGINS OUR DISCUSSION ON JOBS, SPECIFICALLY WITH A QUESTION FOR SENATOR HATCH. >> SENATOR HATCH, AT 4.4%, IOWA'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IS EVEN LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. WHAT COULD YOU DO TO MAKE IOWA'S JOB CLIMATE EVEN BETTER? AND WE'LL GET TO 00:02:26 Unidentified Speaker

THE GOVERNOR'S RECORD ON JOBS IN JUST A MOMENT. >> WE'RE VERY FORTUNATE IN THIS STATE, AS IN EVERY STATE, TO HAVE RECOVERY AFTER THE DEVASTATING 00:02:39 Unidentified Speaker

2008-2009 RECESSION. AND EVERY STATE IS INCREASING THEIR EMPLOYMENT RECORD. WE'RE GLAD THAT IOWA HAS THE MOST JOBS IT'S EVER HAD BEFORE. BUT SO DO ALL THE OTHER STATES IN THIS COUNTRY. AND UNEMPLOYMENT IS GOING LOW, AND THAT'S AS WELL AN ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR ALL OF US. BUT WHAT WE NEED IN THE NEXT GOVERNOR MUST LEAD IOWA TO THE NEXT GENERATION OF JOBS. THAT WILL BE AN EXPLOSION OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. BUT TO GET THERE, WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. BUILD THE ECONOMY FROM THE COMMUNITY UP. NOT FROM THE TOP DOWN. MY PLAN IS TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, NOT ONE TO COVER THE WHOLE STATE, BUT REGIONALLY, FOUR OF THEM, SO EACH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT WILL BE ABLE TO MATCH THE STATE'S PRIORITIES WITH NATIONAL PRIORITIES THAT WILL BE FUNDED BY OUR CONGRESS PERSONS AND ALSO THE LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE SPENT SO MUCH TIME AND EFFORT, LIKE DAVENPORT AND BURLINGTON, TO BE ABLE TO CREATE JOBS ON THEIR OWN. WHO KNOWS JOBS THE BEST BUT THE LOCAL AUTHORITIES, THE CITY COUNCILS? THEY KNOW WHERE THE JOBS ARE. THEY KNOW WHERE THE COMMUNITIES ARE THAT NEED IT. THEY NOAH KNOW -- KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO GET THOSE JOBS TO BECOME A REALITY IN THEIR COMMUNITY. STATE GOVERNMENT IS GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE REFRESHING NEW DOLLARS INSTEAD OF ONE AGENCY GETTING IT. IT WILL BE DISBURSED TO FOUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITIES WITH THEIR OWN BOARD OF DIRECTORS, APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR, TO SIT FOR THREE YEARS. THEY WILL CREATE THE OPPORTUNITIES AND IDENTIFY THE MATCH BETWEEN OUR STATE INVESTMENT AND THE LOCAL PRIORITIES. >> SENATOR, THANK YOU. GOVERNOR BRANSTAD, 45 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL. >> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, OBVIOUSLY MY OPPONENT DOESN'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN ILLINOIS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE 00:04:27 Unidentified Speaker

THE SECOND-HIGHEST EMPLOYMENT -- UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE 00:04:32 Unidentified Speaker

NATION. IOWA'S HAS DROPPED BY NEARLY 30%, ILLINOIS IS MIRED IN DEBT AND HAS THE SECOND-HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN THE NATION. I'M REALLY PROUD THAT WE'VE CREATED OVER 150,000 JOBS IN THE LAST THREE YEARS AND EIGHT MONTHS. WE'VE GONE FROM THE HIGHEST UNEMPLOYMENT IN 25 YEARS TO HAVING A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE EMPLOYED. THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT. WE'VE GOT A GREAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY THAT PARTNERS WITH THE LOCALS. THE FERTILIZER PLANT HAPPENED BECAUSE THE PEOPLE IN LEE COUNTY PARTNERED WITH THE STATE AND MADE THAT POSSIBLE. AND I'M PROUD THAT WE SEE THOSE GREAT JOBS IN IOWA. >> AND WE'LL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT THE FERTILIZER PLANT IN JUST A MOMENT. WOULD YOU CARE TO REBUT FOR 30 SECONDS? >> YES. IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO UNDERSTAND THESE NUMBERS. THE GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT 150,000 00:05:19 Unidentified Speaker

NEW JOBS THAT HE HAS CREATED. BUT, YOU KNOW, EVEN A FIFTH GRADER 00:05:24 Unidentified Speaker

KNOWS YOU HAVE TO SUBTRACT WHAT YOU'VE LOST. OVER 80,000 JOBS WERE LOST IN THIS ECONOMY, GIVING A REALLY NET JOB GAIN OF ABOUT 75,000 OR 80,000. THAT'S HOW WE IDENTIFY JOBS. IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE KNOW THAT GOVERNMENT DOESN'T CREATE JOBS. BUSINESSES DO. AND WE KNOW THAT GOVERNORS DON'T CREATE SMALL BUSINESSES. ENTREPRENEURS DO. WE'RE GOING TO CREATE A BASE OF ENTREPRENEURS IN THIS STATE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MEET THE DEMANDS AND THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITIES. >> THANK YOU, SENATOR. AND AS WE TRY TO KEEP ON PATH, WE'LL TRY TO KEEP AS CLOSE AS WE CAN -- I'LL GIVE A REMINDER AS TO THE LENGTH OF TIME. IT'S HARDER TO KEEP TRACK OF, 00:06:04 Unidentified Speaker

I KNOW, FROM BACK HERE. BUT WE'LL DO OUR BEST. OUR SECOND QUESTION NOW, STILL ON THE QUESTION OF JOBS. >> YES, GOVERNOR. I WANT TO GO A LITTLE BIT MORE INTO DETAIL ABOUT YOUR PROMISE IN 2010 ABOUT CREATING 00:06:19 Unidentified Speaker

200,000 JOBS IN FIVE YEARS. AND INCREASING IOWANS' PERSONAL INCOME BY 25%. GOVERNOR HATCH HAS ACCUSED YOU OF COOKING THE BOOKS ON THIS. ALL RIGHT. DO YOU CARE TO TELL US WHERE WE WERE AT THAT POINT, WHERE WE ARE NOW, AND HOW YOU THINK YOU'VE DONE ON THOSE PROMISES, TALKING ABOUT ADDING AND SUBTRACTING? >> PEOPLE THINK BACK TO WHERE WE WERE FOUR YEARS AGO. THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE HERE IN SOUTHEAST IOWA WAS THE HIGHEST IN THE ENTIRE STATE. AND WE HAD AN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN IOWA WELL 00:06:51 Unidentified Speaker

OVER 6%. WE'VE REDUCED THAT BY OVER 30% STATEWIDE, NEARLY 40% HERE. I WAS JUST LAST WEEK DOWN AT THE FERTILIZER PLANT. THERE ARE 1900 CONSTRUCTION JOBS THERE. THEY'RE GOING TO ADD ANOTHER 400. THE PERMANENT JOBS ARE NOW GOING TO BE 240. BUT THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER INDUSTRY RIGHT HERE IN BURLINGTON THAT SHARE FOODS IS GOING TO BE INVESTING $35 MILLION AND ADDING 80-SOME JOBS. WE'RE WORKING EVERY DAY TO BRING MORE GOOD JOBS TO THE STATE OF IOWA. I'M PROUD OF THE FACT WE WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND WITH THE LOCAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PEOPLE AND OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, DEBBIE DURHAM, HAS DONE A GREAT JOB. I THINK IT WOULD BE A BIG MISTAKE TO DIVIDE THE STATE INTO FOUR REGIONS. YOU WOULDN'T HAVE AS MUCH RESOURCES. I'M REALLY PROUD OF WHAT WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. BUT WE'RE NOT DONE. WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON HOW WE CAN PREPARE THE WORKFORCE FOR THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE, BECAUSE THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND I HEAR FROM BUSINESS WE HAVE GOOD JOBS BUT CAN'T FIND PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT SKILLS. THAT'S WHERE SKILLED IOWA AND INVESTMENTS IN S.T.E.M., SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS, PREPARE THEM FOR THESE JOBS, AND I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT TODAY THE UNEMPLOYMENT TAX RATE IN IOWA IS GOING TO GO DOWN AGAIN IN JANUARY FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW. THIS ALSO MAKES IOWA MORE EXCESSIVE FOR BUSINESS -- COMPETITIVE FOR BUSINESSES AND JOBS. >> SENATOR, 45 SECONDS. >> THANK YOU. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE TOP-DOWN APPROACH THAT GOVERNOR BRANSTAD HAS BEEN FOLLOWING WHERE DES MOINES PICKS WINNERS AND 00:08:34 Unidentified Speaker

LOSES IS THE WRONG APPROACH TO USE WHEN WE'RE RECOVERING FROM A RECESSION. OUR PROPOSAL IS FROM THE COMMUNITY UP. OUR PROPOSAL IS TO ENSURE THAT LOCAL COMMUNITIES, STATE COALITIONS, CITY COUNCILS, BOARDS OF SUPERVISORS, HAVE A CHANCE TO IDENTIFY AND EMPOWER THEIR COMMUNITIES TO GET ENGAGED AND TO VALUE THEIR OWN DOLLARS AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A OPPORTUNITY TO LEVERAGE LOCAL DOLLARS WITH STATE DOLLARS. I THINK IT'S WRONG TO BE ABLE TO SAY IT'S ONLY GOING TO BE DES MOINES THAT'S GOING TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. THAT'S THE WRONG DIRECTION. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A DIRECTION OF GOING FROM THE COMMUNITY UP. >> NOW LET'S MOVE TO THE BIG TOPIC, BUT THE BOTH OF YOU HAVE ALLUDED TO, REGARDING TAX INCENTIVES. WE KNOW TAX INCENTIVES ARE USED MORE AND MORE 00:09:23 Unidentified Speaker

FOR JOB CREATION AND GENERATING REVENUE BY MANY STATES. TAX INCENTIVES, TAX BREAKS, THE FERTILIZER PLANT BEING BUILT RIGHT IN THIS AREA, $1.6 BILLION PLANT BEING BUILT HERE. SOME ARE SAYING $100 MILLION IN TAX BREAKS USED TO LAND THIS DEAL AND TO BUILD THE PLANT WAS TOO MUCH. FOR THE FIRST QUESTION HERE REGARDING TAX QUESTIONS FOR THE GOVERNOR, DALE ALLISON, WHOSE STAFF HAS DONE A CONSIDERABLE JOB OF REPORTING ON THIS VERY SUBJECT. >> YES, GOVERNOR. REGARDING THE NEGOTIATIONS TO LAND THE PLANT, PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE IMMEDIATE VICINITY AREN'T QUITE -- DON'T SHARE YOUR ENTHUSIASM 00:10:01 Unidentified Speaker

WITH IT. NEGOTIATIONS WERE DONE OUT OF THE PURVIEW OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC. AND, YOU KNOW, NOT ONLY WAS THE PROPERTY NEGOTIATED BUT A PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS, INCLUDING WATER RIGHTS. ONCE THE DEAL WAS ANNOUNCED, IOWA FERTILIZER UPPED ITS DEMAND FOR WATER FROM 480 MILLIONS GALLONS ANNUALLY TO 3.3 BILLION GALLONS. HOW IS THIS GOOD PUBLIC POLICY FOR EVERYDAY WORKING IOWANS AND HOW DO YOU ADDRESS THE CHARGE THAT THIS DEAL WAS CRAMMED DOWN THE RESIDENTS OF WEVER? >> , FIRST OF ALL, IT WAS INITIATED BY THE PEOPLE, THE ELECTED BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND THEY PROVIDED INCENTIVES. BUT THE THING YOU NEED TO REMEMBER IS, THE NET RESULT IS 00:10:53 Unidentified Speaker

THE FORT MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT AND LEE COUNTY ARE GOING TO GET NET PLUS OF 2.9 MILLION ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUE EVERY YEAR. AND THE STATE OF IOWA IS ALSO GOING TO GAIN REVENUE. IF IT HAD NOT LOCATED HERE, WE WOULDN'T GET THOSE ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUES AND WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE 1900 CONSTRUCTION JOBS, THE 400 MORE THAT ARE GOING TO BE ADDED, NOR WOULD WE HAVE THE PERMANENT JOBS, NOR WOULD FARMERS BENEFIT FROM THE $740 MILLION REDUCTION IN NITROGEN FERTILIZER COSTS. THAT IS VERY SIGNIFICANT, BECAUSE THAT IS THE BIGGEST COST OF RAISING CORN TODAY, IS NITROGEN FERTILIZER. MOST OF IT IS BEING IMPORTED. AND THE BIG COST IS ALL THE TRANSPORTATION COSTS TO BRING IT IN FROM OVERSEAS HERE TO THIS CORN PRODUCING AREA IN THE MIDWEST. SO THIS WAS A GOOD DEAL. IN FACT, THE SITE SELECTION MAGAZINE, READ BY ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS AROUND THE WORLD, SAID THIS WAS THE SECOND-BEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEAL IN THE ENTIRE WORLD LAST YEAR. WE'RE VERY PROUD OF IT. AND THE CEO OF THE COMPANY RECENTLY SAID THAT THEY'RE JUST GETTING WARMED UP. WHEN THEY COMPLETE THIS, THEY'RE LOOKING AT EXPANDING IT. THERE'S ONLY -- THERE WERE TEN FERTILIZER PLANTS BEING LOOKED AT. ONLY THREE OF THEM BEING BUILT, AND TWO OF THEM IN IOWA, AND WE'RE REALLY PROUD THEY'RE BEING BUILT HERE, WHERE THE CORN IS PRODUCED. >> SENATOR HATCH, 45 SECONDS. >> THANK YOU. LET ME BE CLEAR. I'M IN FAVOR OF FERTILIZER PLANTS THAT WILL HELP ENGAGE AND EXPAND OUR AGRICULTURAL BASE. AND I'M VERY MUCH 00:12:27 Unidentified Speaker

JOBS IT HAS CREATED. WHAT I'VE BEEN CRITICAL OF IS THE -- DEAL THAT THE GOVERNOR NEGOTIATED. IT WAS A RECKLESS DEAL. IT IS A BAD DEAL. IT WAS A TERRIBLE DEAL, WHERE HE WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE $110 MILLION OF STATE MONEY TO CREATE 165 JOBS. THAT IS EQUAL TO 700,000 -- $700,000 PER JOB. GOVERNOR, IN THE SEAMEN MANUFACTURING PLANT, GAVE MONEY TO THEM TO BUILD WIND BLADES. FOR 240 JOBS, THAT EQUALED $7,000 PER JOB. GOVERNOR, IN THE SEAMEN MANUFACTURING JOB. $7,000 PER JOB, $700,000 PER JOB. THERE'S AN IMBALANCE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE UP AGAINST. THAT WAS A BAD DEAL. THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. JUST THINK, JUST IMAGINE WHAT THIS AREA COULD DO, IF WE WERE ABLE TO BALANCE THOSE TWO BUSINESSES AND ALLOW US TO SPREAD THE INVESTMENT FROM THE STATE TO MORE BUSINESSES AND TO MORE AREAS THAN JUST LEE COUNTY. >> GOVERNOR, 30 SECONDS. >> WELL, YOU CAN'T BE AGAINST THE INCENTIVES 00:13:44 Unidentified Speaker

FOR THE JOBS. WITHOUT THE INCENTIVES, WE WOULDN'T HAVE GOTTEN THE JOBS. DEBBIE DURHAM IS A VERY SKILLED NEGOTIATOR. FOR 15 YEARS, SHE DID A GREAT JOB UP IN SIOUX CITY. THAT'S WHY I ASKED HER TO BE THE HEAD OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. SHE WORKED WITH THE LOCAL PEOPLE HERE. AND ACTUALLY, IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO GROW BEYOND WHAT WAS INITIALLY PLANNED. AND THE NET REVENUE GAINED -- WE DIDN'T WRITE OUT A CHECK. THEY'RE GETTING A CREDIT AGAINST TAXES IN FUTURE YEARS. FRANKLY, THE STATE IS GOING TO GAIN -- I KNOW THE FORT MADISON SCHOOL DISTRICT IN LEE COUNTY GAINED SUBSTANTIALLY. THIS WAS A GREAT DEAL. >> WE WILL CONTINUE ON THIS SAME SUBJECT WITH THE NEXT TWO QUESTIONS. SO FOR THE NEXT QUESTION, LET'S GO TO DANIELLE, WHO HAS A QUESTION FOR SENATOR HATCH. >> SENATOR HATCH, IF YOU'RE ELECTED, WHAT'S YOUR PLAN TO 00:14:26 Unidentified Speaker

MAKE SURE THAT ANY BUSINESS THAT DOES RECEIVE A STATE TAX INCENTIVE IS HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR JOB CREATION, 00:14:33 Unidentified Speaker

CONTRIBUTING TO THE OVERALL ECONOMY, AND ALSO CAN YOU ALSO EXPLAIN HOW YOU HAVE USED TAX INCENTIVES IN YOUR OWN PRIVATE INVESTMENTS? >> ABSOLUTELY. THE ONE IMPORTANT THING THAT YOU HAVE TO DO AS A GOVERNOR, MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. THIS IS 00:14:51 Unidentified Speaker

ANOTHER GOOD AREA, AN EXAMPLE, IN WHICH GOVERNOR BRANSTAD DID NOT USE ANY OF THOSE THREE GUIDANCE OR PRINCIPLES IN NEGOTIATING A DEAL. THE CITIZENS OF IOWA WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU'VE GOT TO BE OPEN, TRANSPARENT, AND THAT'S HOW YOU CAN ENSURE THAT NEGOTIATIONS WITH A COMPANY WILL BE HONORED IN THE DEAL. THEY ARE ALREADY CHANGING THE DEAL. AND THEY'RE GONNA CHANGE THE DEAL MORE. AND IT'S GOING TO HURT OUR ECONOMY, OUR LOCAL FOLKS, OUR WATER AND THE ENTIRE ABILITY OF US TO SHARE OTHER TAX CREDITS. NOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS BEEN CRIMINAL OF MY BUSINESS -- CRITICAL OF MY BUSINESS. THE DES MOINES REGISTER SPENT OVER SIX WEEKS INVESTIGATING HIS CLAIMS OF A CONFLICT OF INTEREST AND THAT I'M SPENDING SO MUCH STATE MONEY AND NOT GIVING ANYTHING BACK IN RETURN. THAT'S REALLY KIND OF DISTURBING. MY WIFE AND I, SONIA ROBERTS, OPENED UP OUR ENTIRE BUSINESS. NO PRIVATELY HELD COMPANY WOULD ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. BUT THE OUTRAGE CLAIMS BY THE GOVERNOR PROMPTED US TO DO THIS. WHAT DID THEY FIND? THAT WE FOLLOWED THE RULES. THERE WAS NO CONFLICT OF INTEREST. AND KCRG ALSO HAD A FACT CHECK. WHAT DID THEY FIND? THAT THE GOVERNOR'S CLAIMS THAT OUR MISUSE OF TAX CREDITS WAS FALSE, THAT WE DID THINGS RIGHT, THAT WE'RE AN APPROPRIATE COMPANY AND WE'RE A GOOD COMPANY. AND IT'S STRANGE THAT A REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR WOULD BE BLAMING A GOOD BUSINESSMAN FOR HAVING A GOOD AND HONEST BUSINESS. THAT'S JUST WRONG. AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. >> GOVERNOR, 45 SECONDS. >> WELL, I TRUST THE PEOPLE OF IOWA AND I HAVE DISCLOSED 4 YEARS OF MY -- 24 YEARS OF MY TAXES AND IF HE WANTS 00:16:45 Unidentified Speaker

HE HAS GAINED SUBSTANTIALLY AND MADE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AT THE TAXPAYERS' EXPENSE, I WOULD CHALLENGE SENATOR HATCH TO -- TO RELEASE FOUR MORE YEARS OF HIS TAXES. I'M WILLING TO DO ANOTHER FOUR, OF THE PREVIOUS FOUR BEFORE I CAME BACK AS GOVERNOR, IF HE'S WILLING TO DO THAT. I BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AND I'M TELLING YOU WE HAVE BEEN. THE PEOPLE IN LEE COUNTY KNOW THAT. AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM. AND WE'RE VERY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT THE STATE PARTNERED WITH LEE COUNTY TO BRING THIS GREAT PROJECT HERE AND BRING THESE GOOD JOBS TO SOUTHEAST IOWA. >> SENATOR, WOULD YOU LIKE 30 SECONDS HERE? >> I THINK WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS FOR US TO UNDERSTAND, IN MY BUSINESS WITH MY WIFE, THAT WE DID OUR TAX CREDITS 00:17:33 Unidentified Speaker

GO IN. WE BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING. AND ON AUGUST 21, THE DES MOINES REGISTER WROTE AN EDITORIAL THAT SAID OUR USE OF TAX CREDITS WAS APPROPRIATE. THE GOVERNOR'S USE OF NEGOTIATING WITH ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST PROFITABLE EGYPTIAN COMPANIES IN THAT NATION WAS QUESTIONABLE. SO WE'RE PROVIDING A PUBLIC GOOD, BY PROVIDING HOUSING FOR LOW-INCOME IOWANS. HE'S PROVIDING ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO ONE OF THE MOST PROFITABLE CORPORATIONS IN THE WORLD. >> NOW WE MOVE ON TO A SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION. OUR FIRST OF THE NIGHT. THIS IS FOR THE GOVERNOR. JOHNNY WRITES, SINCE THE GOVERNOR BRAGS ABOUT THE DEAL IN BRINGING 00:18:16 Unidentified Speaker

THE FERTILIZER PLANT TO IOWA, WHICH WAS A GOOD THING -- I'M QUOTING HERE -- INCREASING THE WORKFORCE AND PUTTING A LOT OF PEOPLE TO WORK WITH THIS DEAL, HOW MANY OF THOSE JOBS ACTUALLY WENT TO IOWANS? MOST OF THOSE I HAVE MET SAY THAT WEVER, IOWA, IT'S OUT OF TOWN CONTRACTORS BRINGING THEIR WORKFORCE WITH THEM. >> FIRST OF ALL, IT'S BROUGHT A LOT OF JOBS TO THE AREA. MANY HAVE BEEN FILLED BY IOWANS. AND THERE HAVE BEEN SOME THAT HAVE COME IN FROM OTHER AREAS AS WELL. BUT IT'S BEEN ALSO GREAT FOR THE ECONOMY, 00:18:48 Unidentified Speaker

HERE IN BURLINGTON AND FORT MADISON, WEVER, THE ENTIRE AREA. I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THAT. WE ALSO THIS YEAR PASSED LEGISLATION FOR MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN WHILE THEY EARN. APPRENTICESHIPS. AND WE'RE WORKING, BECAUSE THERE'S A NEED FOR MORE PEOPLE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY -- WE LOST JOBS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY DURING THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, DURING THE RECESSION. WE'RE NOW REBUILDING THAT. AND WE HAVE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. WE TRIPLED THE FUNDING, THE STATE FUNDING FOR APPRENTICESHIPS. THAT WAY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO GO INTO DEBT. THEY CAN EARN WHILE THEY LEARN IN CONSTRUCTION AND MANUFACTURING. I'M PROUD TO SAY WE WORK WITH BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES AND WE WORKED WITH THE CONTRACTORS. AND WE GOT THAT LEGISLATION APPROVED THIS YEAR. AND IT'S NOW IN THE PROCESS OF BEING IMPLEMENTED IN HELPING TRAIN MORE PEOPLE FOR THOSE JOBS IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY, LIKE THOSE AT THE FERTILIZER PLANT, AND OTHERS BEING CREATED ALL OVER THE STATE OF IOWA. REMEMBER, THERE'S JOBS UP IN FORT DODGE, UP IN WOODBURY COUNTY, ALL OVER THE STATE, SO THIS ISN'T THE ONLY PROJECT. BUT THIS IS THE BIGGEST AND ONE OF THE BEST. >> ASAS A FOLLOW-UP TO THAT QUESTION, WERE THERE NOT ENOUGH SKILLED IOWANS TO DO THESE JOBS? >> NO, THERE WEREN'T ENOUGH. THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE NEED APPRENTICESHIPS, 00:20:11 Unidentified Speaker

TO TRAIN MORE PEOPLE FOR THESE SKILLED JOBS. YOU CAN TALK TO THE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADESPEOPLE. 00:20:16 Unidentified Speaker

THEY'LL TELL YOU THEY DESPERATELY NEED MORE PEOPLE WITH SKILLS. AND WE'RE WORKING HAND IN HAND WITH THEM TO TRAIN PEOPLE SO WE HAVE MORE IOWANS WITH THOSE BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION TRADES JOBS. THOSE ARE GOOD CAREERS. AND WE WANT TO HAVE MORE OF THEM IN IOWA. >> SENATOR HATCH, 45 SECONDS. >> THANK YOU. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OVER THE NEXT FOUR TO SIX YEARS OF AN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY EXPLOSION IN 00:20:41 Unidentified Speaker

IT IF WE'RE GOING TO PUT ALL OF OUR EGGS IN THE BASKET OF LARGE CORPORATIONS AND LARGE PROJECTS. THEN YOU WILL HAVE AN INABILITY TO ATTRACT THE WORKERS TO DO THE JOB IN THE CONSTRUCTION. WHAT WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS ON IS ON SMALL BUSINESS. ON SMALL BUSINESS, I WANT TO RETURN TO SOUTHEAST IOWA'S VISION, WHEN TOM BROUGHT IN SEAMENS AND ANHEUSER-BUSCH, WHEN HE WIDENED HIGHWAY 34 AND HE CREATED AND DEVELOPED THE AVENUE OF THE SAINTS. THAT'S WHAT'S GOING TO CREATE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN SOUTHEAST IOWA AND ALL OVER THE STATE, BY OUR ABILITY TO FOCUS ON DEVELOPING JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THIS STATE. >> LET'S MOVE NOW ON TO THE TOPIC OF MINIMUM WAGE. DANIELLE HAS A QUESTION FOR SENATOR HATCH. >> SENATOR HATCH, IN YOUR CAMPAIGN, YOU TALK ABOUT GROWING SMALL BUSINESSES AND 00:21:34 Unidentified Speaker

ALSO INCREASING THE MINIMUM WAGE. NOW, MANY OF THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WE'VE HEARD FROM 00:21:39 Unidentified Speaker

SAY THEY'RE WORRIED ABOUT HOW AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE WOULD AFFECT THEIR BUSINESS. HOW CAN YOU BE IN FAVOR OF BOTH? >> WELL, YOU KNOW, GOOD QUESTION. [LAUGHTER] BUT YOU'RE ASSUMING THAT ALL SMALL BUSINESSES PAY BELOW THE MINIMUM WAGE, WHICH IS WRONG. RIGHT NOW, THERE 00:21:57 Unidentified Speaker

ARE 216,000 IOWANS THAT GET LESS THAN THE $10.10 THAT WE ARE PROPOSING. THAT'S NOT HIGH WAGES. THAT ALLOWS AN INDIVIDUAL WORKING 40 HOURS A WEEK, WORKS BY THE RULES, WORKS HARD, WORKS EVERY DAY, TO GET JUST ABOVE THE LEVEL OF POVERTY. NO IOWAN SHOULD BE ABLE TO WORK 40 HOURS AND NOT GET THE WAGES NECESSARY TO LIFT THEIR LIVES ABOVE THE LEVEL OF POVERTY. THAT'S MY VALUE. AND THAT'S WHAT I BELIEVE IN SO MUCH, THAT WE HAD NO PROBLEM RECOMMENDING THAT WAGE OF A MINIMUM WAGE. AND IT WOULD LIFT 216,000 IOWANS, POSSIBLY 20% OF THEM, OFF OF GENERAL ASSISTANCE. SMALL BUSINESSES ARE NOT THE TYPE OF BUSINESSES THAT PAY CHEAP. SMALL BUSINESSES, LIKE MY WIFE AND I, PAY VERY WELL. AND THEY'RE ALL OVER THE STATE. WE CAN'T BE AFRAID OF THAT KIND OF WAGE. WE KNOW THAT FROM OTHER TYPES OF PROPOSALS, AND WHEN WE RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE BEFORE, AND WHICH THE GOVERNOR SIGNED, THERE WAS NO OUTCRY FROM THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT THEY WERE LOSING JOBS AND LOSING OPPORTUNITIES. JUST THE OPPOSITE. PEOPLE GOT THAT MONEY. THEY SPENT IT IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THEY WERE ABLE TO GET OFF OF GENERAL WELFARE. AND THEY -- THEY WERE NO LONGER PART OF THAT ANTI-POVERTY PROGRAM. >> GOVERNOR, 45 SECONDS. >> WELL, IF THE MINIMUM WAGE WAS SO IMPORTANT, WHY, WHEN THE MINIMUM WAGE BILL WAS ASSIGNED TO THE COMMITTEE THAT SENATOR HATCH 00:23:37 Unidentified Speaker

WAS ON, WAS IT KILLED BY THE DEMOCRATS WHO CONTROLLED THAT COMMITTEE? 00:23:40 Unidentified Speaker

THEY DIDN'T EVEN BRING THE BILL OUT OF COMMITTEE. SO IT SHOULDN'T -- IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN THAT BIG A PRIORITY. AS GOVERNOR, I RESERVE JUDGMENT UNTIL I SEE WHERE A BILL ENDS UP. IT'S GOTTA PASS THE HOUSE AND THE SENATE IN THE SAME FORM. IN THIS CASE, THE MINIMUM WAGE BILL DID -- WAS NOT EVEN APPROVED BY THE DEMOCRATIC-CONTROLLED SENATE, LET ALONE THE REPUBLICAN HOUSE. MY FOCUS IS ON TRYING TO BRING GOOD JOBS TO IOWANS AND TO HELP PEOPLE GET THE SKILLS SO THEY CAN HAVE A LIVING WAGE AND BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. WE WORK AT THAT EVERY DAY. WE'RE FOCUSING ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COORDINATING THEM. >> SENATOR HATCH, IF THAT IS THE CASE WITH THE BLOCKAGE IN THE LEGISLATURE, HOW DO WE FIX THIS? >> WELL, YOU KNOW, HARRY TRUMAN SAID REPUBLICANS 00:24:32 Unidentified Speaker

BELIEVE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, AS MINIMUM AS POSSIBLE. [LAUGHTER] SO WHEN WE SAW THAT BILL COME THROUGH, SENATOR COURTNEY, 00:24:40 Unidentified Speaker

YOUR SENATOR HERE, WAS THE CHAIR OF THAT SUBCOMMITTEE. THERE WERE NEGOTIATIONS ALL YEAR. AND DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, WHETHER OR NOT THE HOUSE WOULD PICK IT UP. THE HOUSE SAID NO. WE WENT TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. COULD YOU HELP US, GOVERNOR, DISLODGE THE DISAGREEMENTS IN YOUR OWN CAUCUSES? NO, HE WOULDN'T. THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP. THEY HAD NO INTENTION. SO OUR MAJORITY LEADER SAID, YOU KNOW WHAT? THIS IS A POLITICAL YEAR. WE'RE NOT GONNA PUT OUR MEMBERS IN THE WAY OF BEING CRITICIZED IN A POLITICAL YEAR AND THEN HAVE WORKERS WHO ARE TRYING TO LIFT THEMSELVES OUT OF POVERTY BECOME THE POLITICAL PING-PONG BALLS DURING AN ELECTION PROCESS. WE ARE VERY SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT. WE COULD HAVE PASSED IT WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE FACT IS, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN STOPPED. AND IT WAS STOPPED BY THE REPUBLICANS AND BY THE GOVERNOR. >> GOVERNOR, WE'LL CONTINUE THAT WITH THIS FROM SOCIAL MEDIA. CODY ASKS, I 00:25:41 Unidentified Speaker

WORK 40-PLUS HOURS A WEEK IN CONSTRUCTION WITH THREE KIDS AND A WIFE THAT'S A CNA. AND WE STILL LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. IS THAT RIGHT AND IS THERE ANY WAY THAT WILL CHANGE? >> THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE'RE BRINGING 40-PLUS HOURS A WEEK IN CONSTRUCTION WITH THREE KIDS AND THESE JOBS AT THE IOWA FERTILIZER PLANT. IT PAYS VERY WELL. AND WE'RE WORKING TO TRY TO BRING MORE OF THOSE KIND OF JOBS IN THE STATE OF IOWA, COMPANIES LIKE G.E., HERE IN 00:25:59 Unidentified Speaker

BURLINGTON, THEY PROVIDE GOOD WAGES. COMPANIES LIKE CARGILL AND C.J., WHICH WE BROUGHT TO THE FORT DODGE AREA. BIOSCIENCES, IOWA HOME-GROAN- -- HOME-GROWN BUSINESSES HAVE ALL BEEN EXPANDING. WE'RE WORKING EVERY DAY TO TRY TO DO THAT. WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE THE SKILLS FOR THOSE JOBS. THAT'S WHY WE STARTED WITH THE HELP OF BILL, THE SKILLED IOWA PROGRAM, WHY THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR HAS LED THE EFFORTS FOR S.T.E.M., SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH EVERY HIGH SCHOOL IN THE STATE AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES TO TRAIN PEOPLE, BECAUSE THE JOBS OF THE FUTURE REQUIRE KNOWLEDGE IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTURE IN IOWA HAS THOSE SKILLS. I'M GOING TO CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT EVERY DAY. I HAVE RECENTLY PROPOSED A CENTER FOR HUMAN CAPITAL ENRICHMENT, WHICH WOULD COORDINATE WHAT WE'RE DOING IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH OUR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SO THAT WE HAVE THE WORKFORCE WITH THE SKILLS FOR THOSE JOBS THAT CAN RAISE THEIR INCOMES AND BETTER PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND FOR THE ECONOMIC WELL-BEING F TO OUR STATE -- OF OUR STATE. >> SENATOR HATCH, IN THE 45 SECONDS WE HAVE REMAINING IN OUR FIRST HALF HOUR, YOUR REACTION TO THAT. >> WELL, IT'S INTERESTING, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE WOULD LIKE TO REPLICATE WHAT 00:27:23 Unidentified Speaker

HE'S DONE. THE STATE DOESN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO DO MORE THAN JUST ONE DEAL 00:27:29 Unidentified Speaker

WITH ORSCON'S MODEL. AND THE FACT IS WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO USE WHAT OUR FRIEND SAID IN HIS QUESTION AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND THAT EVERY MIDDLE CLASS IOWA FAMILY IS WORKING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK. THEY'RE BEING TAXED TOO MUCH. AND WE MAY TALK ABOUT THIS LATER. BUT WE HAD PROPOSED A MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT, WHERE EVERY FAMILY UNDER $220,000 WOULD GET TO PAYCHECK. THEY'RE BEING TAXED TOO MUCH. AND A TAX CUT, BECAUSE WE'RE WORKING ON PRODUCTIVE TI, AND CHILDREN ARE THE VALUES OF OUR PROPOSAL. WE UPS THAT IF YOU HAVE TO LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, THE STATE HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, NOT THE BIG UNDESERVING CORPORATIONS LIKE WE HAVE. >> AND WE WILL CONTINUE REGARDING PROPERTY TAXES, ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEADERSHIP, MUCH MORE STILL TO COME IN OUR GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE. >> WE CONTINUE OUR CONVERSATION NOW WITH THE FOCUS ON ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEADERSHIP. THROUGHOUT THE CAMPAIGNS, WE HAVE SEEN ON TELEVISION AND ON OUR VARIOUS AIRWAVES, 00:28:39 Unidentified Speaker

RADIO AND NEWSPAPERS AS WELL, SENATOR HATCH HAS HAVE. >> AND WE WILL CONTINUE REGARDING PROPERTY TAXES, ACCOUNTABILITY AND LEADERSHIP, 00:28:43 Unidentified Speaker

MUCH MORE ACCUSED THE BRANSTAD ADMINISTRATION OF BEING SCANDAL RIDDEN, SETTLEMENTS OF STATE EMPLOYEES. 00:28:50 Unidentified Speaker

NOW IS OUR CHANCE TO DISCUSS THIS MATTER IN PARTICULAR. WE BEGIN WITH DALE WHO HAS A QUESTION FOR SENATOR HATCH. >> SENATOR, IOWANS CLEARLY LIKE THEIR GOVERNOR. THEY KEEP REELECTING HIM TIME AFTER TIME, BY WIDER AND WIDER MARGINS. YET INSTEAD OF 00:29:06 Unidentified Speaker

TELLING IOWANS HOW YOU MIGHT LEAD THE STATE, YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS AND PRESS STATEMENTS FOCUS ON CRITICISMS. ARE YOU SAYING THAT IOWANS DON'T GET IT? >> WHAT I'M SAYING IS THAT IOWANS NEED TO LISTEN TO THE PROBLEMS THAT THIS GOVERNOR HAS HAD OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. IT IS 00:29:25 Unidentified Speaker

THE MOST SCANDAL RIDDEN ADMINISTRATION IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE AND IT'S BEGINNING WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OFFICES THAT HE CLOSED, THAT THE IOWA SUPREME COURT SAID WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. IT WAS THEN THE IOWA JUVENILE HOME HE CLOSED AND THE DISTRICT COURT SAID GOVERNOR, THAT'S UNCONSTITUTIONAL. THEN IT WAS THE SETTLEMENTS AND THE POLITICAL CHANGES OF MERIT EMPLOYEES. 990 OF THEM WERE MOVED OVER TO POLITICAL OVER TO POLITICAL POSITIONS INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. MEANING THAT THEY NO LONGER HAD QUALIFICATIONS BUT COULD BE FIRED FOR ANY REASON. RIGHT UNDER THE DIRECTION OF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. AND THEN YOU HAD THE SECRET SETTLEMENTS TO FIRE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE AND THEN HUSH MONEY TO KEEP THEM QUIET. THEN THE BLACK LIST OF DO NOT HIRES THAT NOW THERE'S A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE GOVERNOR ON PEOPLE'S NAMES THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ON THERE. FIRING OF TOP AIDES. AND THE D.C.I. AGENT THAT REPORTED THE GOVERNOR'S VEHICLE FOR SPEEDING DOING A HARD 90 ON ROUTE 20. HE WAS FIRED FOR REPORTING THAT. AND THEN OF COURSE WAS THE COMMISSIONER GODFREY'S POSITION. WHERE HE WAS ASKED -- THE GOVERNOR ASKED HIM TO RESIGN. HE WOULDN'T. AND THEN COMMISSIONER GODFREY WHO JUST LEFT FOR AN IMPRESSIVE POSITION IN WASHINGTON SUED THE GOVERNOR FOR DEFAMATION OF CHARACTER. THAT IS NOT LEADERSHIP. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING IOWA WANTS. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT IOWA VALUES HAVE. IT SHOULD VERY WELL BE LOOKED AT. AND THERE ARE NOW INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SENATE AND THE COURTS TO LOOK AT HOW GOVERNOR BRANSTAD HAS BEEN MANAGING THE STATE. >> GOVERNOR BRANSTAD. 45 SECONDS. >> WELL, IOWANS KNOW ME. THEY KNOW THAT I GO TO HE HAVE COUNTY EVERY YEAR. I HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE EVERY WEEK. THEY KNOW I'M HONEST. I'M STRAIGHTFORWARD. I'M TRANSPARENT. I'VE 00:31:14 Unidentified Speaker

RELEASED ALL MY TAXES. THEY KNOW THESE ATTACKS ARE FALSE. THEY 00:31:16 Unidentified Speaker

ARE NOT CORRECT. AND THE PEOPLE OF IOWA KNOW THAT. AND I TRUST THE PEOPLE OF IOWA. I HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE. I'M VERY PROUD. FACT WHEN WE FOUND OUT ABOUT CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENTS, I SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO PREVENT THEM IN THE FUTURE. SENATOR HATCH AND HIS FRIENDS IN THE SENATE KILLED THAT BILL, WHICH WOULD HAVE MADE IT AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT'S IN THOSE PERSONNEL RECORDS AND WHY PEOPLE HAVE EITHER BEEN DISMISSED OR NOT HIRED. I WANT HONEST, OPEN, CLEAN GOVERNMENT. I'M COMMITTED AND THE HOUSE PASSED THAT BY AN OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN MARGIN. THE SENATOR AND HIS FRIENDS KILLED IT. >> 30 SECONDS, SENATOR. >> SURE. THE FACT IS IOWANS DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. AND IF YOU LOOK AT HIS ADS THAT ARE ATTACKING ME, YOU WOULD THINK THAT I'M THE ONE THAT'S 00:32:04 Unidentified Speaker

THE STATEHOUSE. BUT THAT'S NOT THE CASE. GOVERNOR'S ADS ARE FALSE. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. "DES MOINES REGISTER" AND THEIR SERIES OF ARTICLES UNDERSTOOD THAT I HAD DONE NOTHING WRONG AND THEY SAID THAT I FOLLOWED THE RULES. AND KCRG DID A FACT CHECK AND AGAIN, THEY SAID NOTHING WAS RIGHT IN HIS ADVERTISEMENTS. THAT HIS ADVERTISEMENTS WERE ALL FALSE. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, AND GOVERNOR, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU TAKE THE KEY FROM ONE OF YOUR POLITICAL HEROES. RONALD REAGAN. AND HE SAID, AND I KEEP IT TO YOU, YOU STOP LYING ABOUT ME, AND I'LL STOP TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT YOU. [APPLAUSE] >> AN OPPORTUNITY TO ALSO ANSWER THAT IF YOU CHOOSE. GOVERNOR, SOCIAL MEDIA QUESTION. TWITTER. WHY POSTPONE DEPOSITION IF CHARGES ARE TRUE? 00:33:06 Unidentified Speaker

WHY DIDN'T YOU WANT THAT INFORMATION OUT THERE? >> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THIS LAWSUIT WAS FILED ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. IT'S BEEN DELAYED BY THE PLAINTIFFS ON MANY TIMES. WE'RE IN THE MIDST OF A CAMPAIGN. I HAVE A VERY BUSY 00:33:17 Unidentified Speaker

SCHEDULE. AND THAT'S -- WE HAVE AGREED UPON THE DATE FOR THE DEPOSITION. LIKE I SAID, WE'VE GOT NOTHING TO HIDE. FIRST OF ALL, I TREAT EVERYBODY WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY. I DON'T MAKE THESE OUTLANDISH ATTACKS. EVERYTHING THAT'S IN OUR AD HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED. IT IS TRUE THAT HE KILLED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE REDUCED THE FEES FOR THE KIND OF TAX CREDITS AND ALSO TRUE THAT HE'S MADE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OFF OF TAX CREDITS. HE MAY COMPLAIN ABOUT THE TAX CREDITS THAT HAVE CREATED GOOD JOBS HERE IN SOUTHEAST IOWA. BUT HE HAS NO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THAT. NOR WILL HE RELEASE THE TAX RETURNS TO SHOW THE PEOPLE OF IOWA HOW MUCH MONEY HE MADE AND WHAT KIND OF TAX BREAKS HE GOT. >> SENATOR HATCH, LET'S TALK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A LOT OF INFORMATION FOR THE VOTERS TO GO THROUGH. ONE SIDE HAVING ONE BIG ISSUE AND ANOTHER BRINGING UP OTHER ISSUES. LET'S TALK ABOUT WHETHER 00:34:11 Unidentified Speaker

THE POLITICS IN PLAY REGARDING THE -- SOME OF THE LAWSUITS AGAINST THE GOVERNOR RIGHT NOW AND SOME OF THE ACCUSATIONS YOU FACE. >> SURE. THE FACT IS I'M ONLY REPEATING -- NOT ACCUSATIONS, BUT LAWSUITS, 00:34:29 Unidentified Speaker

INVESTIGATIONS. EVEN THE STATE AUDITOR SAID THAT THE GOVERNOR HAD MISHANDLED THE INVESTIGATION OF THE SECRET SETTLEMENTS, THAT THERE WERE MORE SECRET SETTLEMENTS EVEN AFTER THE GOVERNOR AND HIS STAFF SAID THERE WEREN'T. IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A LEADER, YOU NEED TO BE A GOVERNOR WHO'S GOING TO BE OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. AND IT'S JUST UNACCEPTABLE THAT THE GOVERNOR STANDS IN FRONT OF US THAT HE'S OPEN AND TRANSPARENT AND HAS NOTHING TO HIDE WHEN THAT'S ALL THEY'VE BEEN DOING. IS HIDING AND NOT JUST AN ATTACK OF A CANDIDATE. LEGISLATURE. THE STATE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. FROM THE COURTS. AND FROM INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO SUE HIM PERSONALLY AND HIS OFFICE. THESE ARE NOT THE ACTIONS OF A GOOR WHO CANEAD. L >> GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU CARE FOR 30 SECONDS? >> THIS IS IOWA, NOT ILLINOIS. MOST OF THE FORMER GOVERNORS IN ILLINOIS ARE IN PRISON. I'M BACK IN OFFICE BECAUSE THE PEOPLE OF IOWA TRUST ME. THEY KNOW ME. TH KNOW I'M 00:35:32 Unidentified Speaker 00:35:34 Unidentified Speaker

HONEST.PPUSE] AND I HAVE BEEN TOTALLY OPEN AND TRANSPARENT. AND I HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE EVERY WEEK. AND I TAKE THE TOUGH QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS. AND ANYBODY CAN FILE A LAWSUIT. BUT I CAN TELL YOU WE WORKED WITH THE AUDITOR. THERE WAS ONE AGREEMENT THAT WAS AGREED UPON BEFORE I SIGNED THE EXECUTIVE ORDER AND WAS SIGNED LATER AND WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT WAS THE CASE, IT WAS CHANGED. THEY ELIMINATED THE CONFIDENTIALITY CLAUSE IN THAT. THAT HAS BEEN ENFORCED. I WILL CONTINUE TO ENFORCE IT. BUT WE WANT TO EXTEND IT TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE HOUSE PASSED IT WITH AN OVERWHELMING BIPARTISAN VOTE. AND MY OPPONENT AND HIS FRIENDS IN THE SENATE KILLED IT. BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT WHAT'S IN THOSE CONFIDENTIAL FILES ON EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL. I THINK THE PEOPLE OF IOWA DESERVE TO KNOW THAT BECAUSE IT'S THEIR TAX MONEY THAT'S PAYING IT. >> AND AS I GIVE YOU 30 SECONDS ON THIS, BECAUSE I THINK THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, I WILL REMIND OUR AUDIENCE, PLEASE, DO NOT APPLAUD UNTIL THE END OF OUR DEBATE SO WE CAN CONTINUE MOVING FORWARD. SENATOR 00:36:47 Unidentified Speaker

HATCH. >> GARY AND THE AUDIENCE, IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TOACCUSATIONS COULD GO BACK AND FORTH. IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE'VE MADE UP. THE REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS' 00:36:59 Unidentified Speaker

ASSOCIATION AND THE GOVERNOR HAVE SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ATTACKING ME ON TV. ON ACCUSATIONS THAT ARE UNTRUE. AND HE'S EXPANDING HIS SEARCH TO FIND SOMETHING MORE. I'M VERY PROUD OF MY COMPANY WITH MY WIFE. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME BEING SUCCESSFUL. AND THE FACT IS WE DID NOT KILL A BILL THAT WOULD LOWER THE AMOUNT THAT DEVELOP COERCE RECEIVE AND IN ACTUALITY IF YOU READ "THE DES MOINES REGISTER" STORY, GOVERNOR, YOU WOULD SEE THAT WHAT THEY SAID IS THAT MY DEVELOPER FEE WAS ACTUALLY LESS THAN 10%. IT WAS 9.2%. AND THAT BILL HAD NO SUPPORT WITH ANYBODY ELSE. AND IT WASN'T DEAD. IT WASN'T TAKEN UP. THIS IS THE KIND OF LEADERSHIP YOU WOULD EXPECT FROM A GOVERNOR OF ILLINOIS. NOT THE GOVERNOR OF IOWA. >> THIS IS ALSO A SUBJECT MATTER THAT CAN BE INTERTWINED WITH THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS SO LET'S MOVE TO PROPERTY TAXES NOW. FOR A QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR BRAN STAND FROM DALE. >> 00:37:59 Unidentified Speaker

SURE. GOVERNOR, LAST WEEK, WE PUBLISHED A STORY LOOKING AT PROPERTY TAX REFORM AND HOW IT LOOKS TO BE WORKING AGAINST SMALLER LOW GROWTH 00:38:08 Unidentified Speaker

COMMUNITIES. IN FACT, IN THE STORY, THE STATE WAS ACCUSED OF INSTITUTIONALIZING DEVALUATION. APARTMENT COMPLEXES, FOR EXAMPLE, HAVE BEEN TAXED AT 100% OF THEIR VALUE. THEY'RE ON THEIR WAY TO BEING TAXED LIKE RESIDENTIAL RATES. RETAIL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES ARE ALSO HEADED LOWER. SOMEBODY MUST PAY FOR THE COST OF GOVERNMENT. IF TAXES ARE BEING LOWERED FOR THE UPPER VALUES, THE BURDEN MUST FALL ON SOMEONE. DO YOU KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO SHAKE OUT? DO YOU KNOW HOW THIS WILL WORK OUT FOR SLOW GROWTH COMMUNITIES LIKE BURLINGTON WHICH ARE KIND OF MORE THE RULE RATHER THAN THE EXCEPTION? AND HOW CAN YOU ASSURE ORDINARY IOWANS THAT THEY WON'T BE ASKED TO SHOULDER AN EVEN BIGGER BURDEN? >> WELL, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION. BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM THAT HAS FACED THE STATE OF IOWA FOR 30 YEARS. MULTIPLE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES SHOULD HAVE NEVER 00:39:09 Unidentified Speaker

BEEN TAXED AS COMMERCIAL. AND THAT IS BEING CORRECTED. THAT WAS ACTUALLY SOMETHING THAT SENATE DEMOCRATS WANTED. I WANTED TO PROVIDE PERMANENT TAX RELIEF FOR COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY. AND THE AGREEMENT WE REACHED BETWEEN THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND THE GOVERNOR DOES ALL OF THAT AND BY GETTING THE STATE'S FINANCIAL HOUSE IN ORDER, PUTTING TOGETHER A FIVE-YEAR PROJECTED BUDGET, AND THE STATE PROVIDING THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY TAX IS GOING TO PROVIDE TAX RELIEF TO BUSINESSES, SMALL AND LARGE, ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA IN COMMUNITIES OF ALL SIZES. IT WILL ESPECIALLY HELP SLOW GROWTH COMMUNITIES AND RURAL COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT IS SIGNIFICANT. IT ALSO BENEFITS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN OUR STATE AS WELL. AND THE STATE IS PROVIDING THE MONEY TO REPLACE THE LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES. AND I INSISTED THAT WE PUT THAT MONEY IN A STANDING APPROPRIATION SO THE LEGISLATURE COULDN'T RENEGE ON THAT COMMITMENT. >> SENATOR HATCH, 45 SECONDS. >> THE COMMERCIAL-INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY TAX BILL THAT WAS PASSED AS THE GOVERNOR SAID WITH HIS INSISTENCE DID NOTHING FOR RESIDENTIAL 00:40:24 Unidentified Speaker

RECEIVERS. AND HIS PRIORITY WAS TO REDUCE CORPORATE TAXES, NOT RESIDENTIAL. IF IT WASN'T FOR THE SENATE DEMOCRATS WHO HE IS SO OPENLY CRITICIZED NOW, THAT PROVISION OF ALLOWING COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND PROPERTY DEPRESSED AREAS WOULD NEVER HAVE SEEN THE LIGHT OF DAY. AND SO WE CAME TO A CONCLUSION. I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE ABOUT HOW THE STATE WILL BE ABLE TO FUND ALL OF THOSE PROPERTY TAX RELIEFS. BUT IT DIDN'T HELP THE MIDDLE CLASS. IT DID NOT HELP THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TAX OWNERS. AND IT CERTAINLY GAVE A BOONE TO THE LARGEST OUT OF STATE CORPORATE LEADERS THAT ARE TAKING MORE TAXES AWAY AND OUT OF THIS STATE. >> GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU CARE TO RESPOND? >> I WOULD JUST POINT OUT THAT THIS WAS PASSED WITH BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN BOTH HOUSES OF THE IOWA LEGISLATURE. IT WAS 00:41:23 Unidentified Speaker

LONG OVERDUE. OUR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAXES WERE THE 00:41:26 Unidentified Speaker

THIRD HIGHEST BEHIND MINNESOTA AND ILLINOIS. WE DON'T WANT TO BE THERE. THIS IS GOING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. AND IT'S GOING TO BE THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY TAX CUT IN IOWA HISTORY. AND IT'S GOING TO BE PHASED IN OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. AND WE HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO IT. AND I'VE PROTECTED IT BECAUSE WE'VE CUT THE SIZE AND COST OF GOVERNMENT. SO WE CAN AFFORD TO FUND THE EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP BILL THAT WE PASSED FOR TEACHER LEADERSHIP AND PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. >> SENATOR HATCH, YOU'LL PROBABLY GET A CHANCE TO RESPOND TO THAT IF WILL YOU IN THIS NEXT QUESTION FROM DANIELLE. REGARDING PROPERTY TAXES. >> SENATOR HATCH, YOUR CAMPAIGN WEBSITE 00:42:05 Unidentified Speaker

SAYS YOUR PROPOSED INCOME TAX CUT FOR MIDDLE INCOME FAMILIES WOULD COST THE STATE ABOUT AN ESTIMATED $300 MILLION A YEAR. OVER 00:42:13 Unidentified Speaker

THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS. AT A TIME WHEN YOU SAY WE NEED TO FUND OUR SCHOOLS AND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, VITAL AND IMMEDIATE INVESTMENT, WHY WOULD THAT BE THE BEST USE OF THAT MONEY? >> THE BEST USE OF THAT MONEY FOR MIDDLE CLASS IOWANS, YOU'RE RIGHT. IT'S THE BEST USE FOR THAT MONEY. IOWANS WHO ARE IN THE MIDDLE CLASS WORKING EVERY DAY, 40 HOUR 00:42:35 Unidentified Speaker

50 HOURS A WEEK, NEED A BREAK. MIDDLE CLASS IOWANS NEED THAT KIND OF HELP. WE ARE THE SIXTH HIGHEST STATE WITH DUAL INCOME FAMILIES. WE ARE A LOW WAGE STATE. AND WE ARE A STATE THAT VALUES CHILDREN. SO WHEN OUR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, WE IDENTIFIED FAMILIES THAT HAVE DUAL INCOMES. AND WE GAVE THEM A $1,000 TAX CREDIT. BECAUSE WE VALUE THE PRODUCTIVITY OF THE STATE. AND WE ALSO VALUED THE CHILDREN. AND I THINK GOVERNOR BRAN STAND AND ALMOST EVERY POLITICIAN WILL SAY THEY ARE OUR GREATEST RESOURCE THAT IS NEED PROTECTION. SO RIGHT NOW WE GIVE THEM A $40 TAX CREDIT. THEY'RE VALUED A LOT MORE THAN THAT. UNDER MY PROPOSAL, WE GIVE THEM A $500 TAX CREDIT. WHEN YOU PUT THEM TOGETHER IT PROVIDES US WITH A VERY STRONG MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT. THAT WILL HELP THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THE MOST. NOT THESE CORPORATIONS. BUT PEOPLE NEED THAT. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ON THE BUDGET, IT IS A PRIORITY. THE BUDGET IS A PRIORITY. SOMEONE ONCE SAID YOU COULD TELL ME ALL YOU WANT ABOUT YOUR VALUES. BUT SHOW ME YOUR BUDGET. THEN I'LL TELL YOU WHAT YOUR VALUES ARE. THIS WOULD BE A HIGH PRIORITY OF OUR ADMINISTRATION. >> DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THE LEGISLATURE WOULD PASS SUCH A PLAN AND WHY? >> WELL, I THINK THE LEGISLATURE WILL ENGAGE IN THIS DISCUSSION. I CAN'T GUARANTEE ANYTHING. BUT I KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE AND 00:44:09 Unidentified Speaker

CLEARLY THAT MIDDLE CLASS HAS GOT TO GET A BREAK. THAT MIDDLE CLASS IOWANS CAN'T BE LEFT OUT IN THE COLD. THEY WERE UNDER THE GOVERNOR'S COMMERCIAL PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. THAT'S THE LARGEST PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IN HISTORY. BUT IT WASN'T FOR THE RESIDENTIAL TAXPAYERS, IT WAS FOR THE CORPORATE TAXPAYERS. I WANT TO GIVE RESIDENTIAL MIDDLE AMERICA THE EVERYDAY IOWAN THE TAX BREAK THEY DESERVE. EQUAL TO THE TAX BREAK HE GAVE. TO THE CORPORATIONS OF THIS STATE. >> THANK YOU, SENATOR. GOVERNOR, YOUR RESPONSE. >> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, ELIMINATING FEDERAL DEDUCTIBILITY WILL RAISE TAXES FOR SOME LOW INCOME PEOPLE, TOO. BECAUSE IF YOUR INCOME 00:44:54 Unidentified Speaker

VARIES FROM YEAR TO YEAR, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO ABLE TO DEDUCT YOUR 00:44:57 Unidentified Speaker

FEDERAL TAXES. THE BILL THAT WE PASSED, THE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF, ISN'T JUST FOR CORPORATIONS. IT'S TO ALL COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY INCLUDING ALL THE MAIN STREET BUSINESSES IN BURLINGTON AND FORT MADISON AND ALL OVER THE STATE OF IOWA. AND PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THOSE TAX BILLS AND THEY CAN SEE THERE'S REAL SIGNIFICANT TAX RELIEF FOR INDIVIDUAL IOWANS THAT OWN COMMERCIAL PROPERTY. I'VE HEARD FROM THEM. ALL OVER THIS STATE. AND THEY'RE SAYING THANK YOU. FINALLY WE GOT SOME REAL TAX RELIEF. AND I'M PROUD THAT WE DID THAT. AND THAT'S GOING TO CONTINUE NEXT YEAR. AND WE WANT IT TO CONTINUE IN THE FUTURE. IF YOU INSTEAD GOING OUT AND SPEND THAT MONEY ON ANOTHER PROGRAM, THEN WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT. AND THE EDUCATION MONEY THAT'S COMMITTED ALSO FOR TEACHER LEADERSHIP. >> 30 SECONDS, SENATOR. >> BEING A GOVERNOR MEANS THAT YOU SET PRIORITIES AND THAT YOU LEAD. THE GOVERNOR JUST SAID HE WANTED TO PROVIDE THE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY TAX 00:45:58 Unidentified Speaker 00:45:59 Unidentified Speaker

RELIEF FOR COMMERCIAL BUSINESSES IN THIS STATE. I WANT TO PROVIDE PROPERTY TAX RELIEF AND THE MIDDLE CLASS TAX CUT FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THIS STATE. FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE. FOR THE EVERYDAY IOWANS OF THIS STATE THAT NEED A TAX CUT. MY PRIORITIES WILL ALWAYS BE WITH THE MIDDLE CLASS. CORPORATIONS, WHICH WE ARE ONE, WE'RE GOOD AT WHAT WE DO. WE'LL FIGURE OUT A WAY. AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE JOBS THAT ARE NECESSARY, BUT I WANT MIDDLE CLASS IOWA TO GET THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. >> WITH JUST UNDER 10 MINUTES REMAINING IN OUR DEBATE LET'S TRY TO SQUEEZE ANOTHER CATEGORY IN IF WE CAN. REGARDING GAS TAX, INFRASTRUCTURE, ROADS, 00:46:46 Unidentified Speaker

BRIDGES, THE QUESTION IS FOR THE GOVERNOR FROM DALE. >> TIME'S GOING BY QUICKLY. >> I LIKE IT WHEN YOU'RE HAVING FUN. >> YOU'RE A PAY AS YOU GO GUY. BUT THE STATE NEEDS MONEY, TOO, TO IMPROVE ITS INFRASTRUCTURE. YOU'RE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION SAYS 00:47:05 Unidentified Speaker

HAVE. LOCAL COALITIONS HAVE LOBBIED YOU FOR SOME TIME TO WIDEN U.S. 61. BETWEEN BURLINGTON AND MUSCATINE COUNTY AND THAT'S MORE IMPORTANT WITH ALL THE TRAFFIC COMING FROM THE FERTILIZER PLANT. LAWMAKERS TOLD IN US JANUARY THAT THERE WAS SUPPORT FOR AN INCREASE IN THE GAS TAX. IF YOU WOULD HAVE INDICATED YOUR SUPPORT, BUT WITHOUT SUCH AN INDICATION, NOBODY WAS PREPARED TO PROPOSE A TAX THAT MIGHT GET VETOED. DURING THE STATE FAIR DEBATE, YOU SAID YOU WERE WORKING ON A TRANSPORTATION FUNDING PLAN. BUT WE'RE NOT PREPARED TO REVEAL IT. WHY NOT? WHY THE WAIT? >> PAUL TROBINI HAS PUT TOGETHER A SERIES OF OPTIONS AND I'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THAT WITH LEGISLATORS FOR THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS OF HOW WE CAN GO TO A HYBRID SYSTEM THAT WOULD REPLACE THE GAS TAX 00:47:59 Unidentified Speaker

PARTIALLY WITH AN EXCISE TAX ON FUEL. LIKE YOU HAVE WITH THE SALES TAX AND ALSO INCREASED FEES FOR HEAVIER LOADS THAT GO ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA. I WOULD ALSO COMPLIMENT PAUL TROBINI WHEN WE HAD THAT FLOOD IN 2011 ON THE MISSOURI RIVER, HE WAS ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A STRATEGY TO REBUILD ALL OF THOSE ROADS EVEN THOUGH WE ONLY HAD 60 DAYS TO DO IT. WE REBUILT ALL THOSE ROADS AND GOT THE FEDERAL FUNDS REIMBURSEMENT TO PAY FOR ALL OF THAT. HE ALSO WE'VE HAD THE TWO BIGGEST ROAD BUILDING YEARS IN HISTORY. THE LAST TWO YEARS. BECAUSE HE'S REDUCED ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS BY $50 MILLION. I'M CONTINUING TO WORK WITH HIM. I INTEND TO WORK WITH A BIPARTISAN GROUP OF LEGISLATORS AS WE DID THE LAST TIME WE ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE BACK IN 1988. AND WE GOT A MAJORITY OF BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS TO AGREE TO DO THIS. AND I WILL LEAD BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A MAJORITY OF BOTH PARTIES, BOTH CAUCUSES, SUPPORTING IT. >> SENATOR, IF YOU CAN, FOR TIME CONSTRAINTS, 30 SECONDS, PLEASE. >> YOU CAN'T LEAD WITH LEGISLATORS UNLESS YOU HAVE A PROPOSAL. I'VE OFFERED A PROPOSAL FOR OVER TWO YEARS. 00:49:12 Unidentified Speaker

10 CENT GAS TAX. TWO CENTS A YEAR FOR THE NEXT FIVE 00:49:15 Unidentified Speaker

YEARS. NOT ONLY IS HIGHWAY 61 NEEDING A FOUR LANES, BUT HIGHWAY 20 UP IN FORT DODGE TO SIOUX CITY. THERE ARE AREAS THERE THAT NEED FOUR LANES. PLUS THE BRIDGES IN THIS STATE. WE HAVE THE SECOND WORST STATE IN BRIDGE REPAIR IN THE COUNTRY. WE CANNOT HAVE A REPAIR OF OUR COUNTY ROADS AND OUR STATE ROADS IF WE DON'T HAVE REVENUE. JACKSON COUNTY SAID THEY ARE JUST NOW REDUCING THE TONNAGE OF 44 BRIDGES IN JACKSON COUNTY. FROM 10 TONS TO THREE. YOU CAN GET A VAN WITH CHILDREN ON THAT THREE TON BRIDGE. BUT YOU CAN'T GET EMERGENCY VEHICLES. YOU CAN'T GET AMBULANCES. YOU CAN'T GET THE FIRE TRUCKS. YOU CAN'T GET THE FARM IMPLEMENTS. THE COMBINES AND THE TRUCKS THAT NEED TO PASS AND TO PROVIDE COMMERCE FOR POWER FARMERS. THIS IS A CRISIS. AND FOR THE GOVERNOR NOT TO RECOGNIZE IT, TO HAVE A CASH FORCE THAT HE DOESN'T LISTON AND WAITING FOR THE SPECIAL INTERESTS TO SAY YOU CAN DO IT NOW IS NOT THE LEADERSHIP WE WANT. WE NEED A LEADER TO TAKE THE LEAD. >> IT IS TIME FOR US NOW TO GET TO OUR CLOSING STATEMENTS. THE ORDER IS DETERMINED BY THE COIN FLIP. SENATOR HATCH, YOU ARE FIRST. >> THANK YOU. GARY, I THANK YOU VERY 00:50:34 Unidentified Speaker

MUCH. FOR KWQC TO BE A SPONSOR, THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND THE 00:50:41 Unidentified Speaker

HAWKEYE. I COMMEND THE TWO PANELISTS AND YOURSELVES FOR PROVIDING THIS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND ALSO I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY WIFE, SONYA ROBERTS, AND MY RUNNING MATE, MONICA VERNON, IN THE AUDIENCE. AND IF I COULD GIVE A QUICK SHOUTOUT TO MY DAUGHTER IN ANCHORAGE, ALASKA, WHO'S AN NBC AFFILIATE REPORTER AND WEEKEND ANCHOR. SO FOR DANIELLE, SHE'S -- I'M AS PROUD OF HER AS I'M SURE YOUR PARENTS ARE OF YOU. BUT BEING GOVERNOR MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO LEAD OUR STATE INTO A NEW AREA OF ECONOMIC EXPLOSION. I WANT TO RETURN IOWA TO THE TOM VILSACK IOWA WHERE WE FOCUSED NOT ONLY ON AGRICULTURE INSURANCE BUT WE DIVERSIFIED THIS ECONOMY TO FINANCE INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ADVANCED MANUFACTURING. IN IOWA WHERE WE ARE NOT PICKING WINNERS AND LOSERS BUT CREATE REGIONAL AUTHORITIES WE CAN RELY ON LOCAL LEADERS TO MATCH THE PRIORITIES OF OUR LOCAL AND OUR COUNTY LEADERS. TO DO THIS, WE NEED TO REORGANIZE AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORT INTO FOUR REGIONS. EQUAL TO THE CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS. ESTABLISH REGIONAL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS. AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP, LOCALLY. AND I WILL ANNOUNCE AND TONIGHT THAT MY RUNNING MATE, MONICA VERNON, WILL TAKE THE LEAD BEING A CITY COUNCIL PERSON, SHE KNOWS HOW TO BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER. SHE'S DONE THAT. AND SHE'S A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY. LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS KNOW WHAT THEY NEED. AND WE'LL RELY ON THEIR ADVICE. WE NEED A COMMUNITY OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROPOSAL. NOT A TOP DOWN. WE NEED LOCAL PEOPLE PICKING WHAT THEY WANT TO INVEST IN, NOT WINNERS AND LOSERS FROM A BOARD IN DES MOINES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GOVERNOR BRANSTAD. >> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE GREATER BURLINGTON PARTNERSHIP, KWQC, BURLINGTON HAWKEYE, AND ALL OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE FOR BEING HERE AND 00:52:43 Unidentified Speaker

THIS. AND GREAT TO HAVE THIS DEBATE AT THE FIRST TERRITORIAL CAPITAL OF IOWA IN BURLINGTON. I'M REALLY PROUD TO BE HERE. MY MOTHER WAS BORN HERE. I'M PROUD TO HAVE MY WIFE AND A LOT OF MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY, MY STEPMOTHER HERE. AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY I LOVE THIS STATE. I GREW UP ON A FARM. I LEARNED TO WORK HARD AT A VERY EARLY AGE. AND I WORKED EVERY DAY, THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR KIM REYNOLDS AND I GO ALL OVER THIS STATE. WE GO TO EVERY COUNTY EVERY YEAR. WE WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO BRING MORE GOOD JOBS TO IOWA. TO MAKE IOWA THE BEST IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF EDUCATION, TO REDUCE THE TAX AND REGULATORY BURDEN. WE'VE REDUCED THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT BY OVER 1,400 AND WE'RE NOT DONE YET. WE'RE FOCUSED ON THINGS LIKE COLLEGE AFFORDABILITY AND REDUCING STUDENT DEBT. TWO YEARS, NO INCREASE IN RESIDENT STATE TUITION. AND WE'RE GOING TO DO MORE. TO REDUCE THAT AND MAKE COLLEGE MORE AFFORDABLE, WE'VE PROPOSED A CENTER FOR HUMAN CAPITAL ENRICHMENT. AND CONNECT EVERY ACRE SO THAT WE HAVE HIGH SPEED INTERNET EVERYWHERE IN IOWA. I WOULD APPRECIATE HAVING YOUR VOTE OF CONFIDENCE, YOUR SUPPORT, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK HARD FOR YOU FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS. I LOVE IOWA. AND I'M PROUD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE YOU. AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> GENTLEMEN, THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] THE CONVERSATION CONTINUES AT YOUR NEXT 00:54:21 Unidentified Speaker

DEBATE. BUT THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR TONIGHT. WE WOULD LIKE TO THATCHING OUR CANDIDATES, SENATOR JACK HATCH AND GOVERNOR TERRY BRANSTAD. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. [APPLAUSE] WATCH US AT KWQC.COM AND ON HAWKEYE.COM. THANK YOU FOR WATCHING

1 posted on 09/20/2014 9:30:29 PM PDT by iowamark

Do it again so people can read it.

2 posted on 09/20/2014 9:37:39 PM PDT by Octar

I am sitting in a McDonalds now. I posted this mostly for the video link. I will edit the transcript tomorrow if there are more requests.

3 posted on 09/20/2014 9:52:16 PM PDT by iowamark (I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy)

Thank you.

4 posted on 09/20/2014 10:12:35 PM PDT by Octar

Who won?

5 posted on 09/20/2014 11:29:54 PM PDT by flaglady47 (The useful idiots always go first)

Even Dems admit that Branstad won the debate. He will win re-election easily.

6 posted on 09/21/2014 6:53:48 PM PDT by iowamark (I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy)

“Even Dems admit that Branstad won the debate. He will win re-election easily.”

Good. Thank you.

7 posted on 09/23/2014 2:21:49 AM PDT by flaglady47 (The useful idiots always go first)

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