Branstad, Hatch square off
By William Smith, The Hawk Eye, Burlington, Iowa | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
But once the debate got around to the scandals that have touched both candidates, their exchanges before a packed auditorium at
"I'm saying Iowans need to listen to the problems this governor has had over the past four years," Hatch said. "It is the most scandal-ridden administration, beginning with the
Hatch pointed out other recent Branstad administration controversies, including the handling of secret settlements made with state employees and a lawsuit for defamation of character by
"This was a good deal. In fact, the 'Site Selection' magazine, which is read by economic developers around the world, said this was the second-best economic development deal in the entire world last year." Gov.
"Iowans know me," Branstad said. "They know I'm honest, I'm straight-forward, I'm transparent, I've released all my taxes. They know these attacks are false. They are not correct, and the people of
Branstad defended an ad his campaign is running that claims Hatch made millions of dollars off of tax credits, but Hatch said those ads were proven false by a series of
"The fact is, Iowans don't know what's going on. And if you look at his ads attacking me, you'd think I was the one under investigation," Hatch said.
Hatch said those are not the actions of a leader, and Branstad retorted by bringing up the history of
"This is
Another major point of contention between the two was the
"It was initiated by the people in
Branstad said the deal will bring a net plus of
When a question delivered via Twitter pointed out many of the construction jobs aren't being filled by Iowans, Branstad said Iowans need more job training so they can fill those jobs. He said job training would be a priority.
"This was a good deal. In fact, the 'Site Selection' magazine, which is read by economic developers around the world, said this was the second-best economic development deal in the entire world last year," Branstad said.
That's certainly not the way Hatch sees it.
"It was a reckless deal. It was a bad deal. It was a terrible deal," Hatch said. "He was able to engage
Hatch and Branstad continued to spar over a minimum wage hike (Hatch in favor, Branstad against), property tax reform and a possible gas tax. Though he has not leaned one way or the other on a gas tax before, Branstad talked of a possible hybrid system, noting that
Two of the options include raising gasoline and diesel fuel taxes, and imposing state road taxes on fuel used by farmers for tractors and combines. Other options include raising the registration fee on new vehicles from 5 percent to 6 percent, increasing permit fees for oversized and overweight vehicles, and replacing the state's current fuel tax, which varies depending on the type of fuel, with a 6 percent excise tax on fuel paid at the wholesale level.
Hatch kept his answer simple, demanding a straight-up gas tax increase. I-DOT officials have warned that city, county and state roads and bridges are facing a
"I've offered a proposal for over two years. Ten cent gas tax,
"We have the second-worst state for bridge repair in the country.
Both men wrapped up their positions in their closing statements, and Hatch was particularly adamant about local control when it comes to economic development.
"We have to lead our state into a new area of economic explosion," Hatch said. "I want to return
After mentioning that his mother was born in
"We go to every county every year. We work hard every day to bring more good jobs to
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