Former Governor Terry Branstad’s campaign was endorsed by the Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s PAC today. Below is today’s press release:
(WAUKEE) – The Iowa Association of Business and Industry’s (ABI) Political Action Committee, representing 1,400 businesses that employ over 300,000 Iowans, endorsed former Gov. Terry Branstad’s bid for governor at a news conference this morning.
On hand to present the endorsement to Branstad will be Iowa ABI board chair Sarah McDonald Hasken, as well as Kirk Tyler, chair of Iowa Industry PAC.
“Like many Iowa companies, we’ve faced a tough economy the past four years,” said Kirk Tyler, chair of Iowa Industry PAC. “We’ve had to do more with less. When revenues tightened, we didn’t spend more than we took in. We’ve had to think of new ways to deliver quality service at a lower cost. At the same time, we haven’t seen the same kind of leadership for our state during these tough times. We need Terry Branstad as governor.”
“ABI members don’t believe that our state is on the right track,” said ABI board chair Sarah McDonald Hasken. “Instead of facing tough challenges, our state’s has borrowed millions of dollars and pushed problems down to future generations. Instead of providing leadership in making Iowa a better place for employers to grow, our state has considered job-killing policies that effectively take Iowa out-of-the-running for economic development.
“Iowa needs a change in direction and a change in leadership. We need a new leader with experience in dealing with tough times. Someone who isn’t afraid to make tough choices. We’ve found that in Terry Branstad.”
Branstad welcomed the support of Iowa’s voice for employers.
“Iowa needs a pro-business, pro-growth governor who will reduce taxes and not increase debt,” said Gov. Branstad. “I look forward to working with ABI and its members to ensure we have economic opportunities all across this state. I believe Iowa’s best days lie ahead, but only if we have the resolve and the will to fix the state’s budget, make government more efficient, and work day-in and day-out to encourage job creation. I’m honored and proud to receive the endorsement of ABI.”
Radio Iowa has a recap of the press conference and you can listen to audio of the press conference they released in the player above.
The campaign also followed up an ad released last week on I-JOBS with another ad called “No Jobs”:
Below is the script with footnotes:
Chet Culver borrowed nearly a billion dollars to create jobs[1][2][3][4].
But where are those jobs?
They’re not here[5]. Or here.[6]
They’re not in your town[7]. Or your child’s school.[8]
Truth is, those new jobs aren’t anywhere to be found.[9]
Chet Culver’s jobs plan will cost taxpayers $1.7 billion[10] – $55 million a year, for 23 years[11] – and no new jobs. Really.
[1] “In urging the program’s passage last year, Culver had said it could create 21,000 to 30,000 jobs” (The Des Moines Register, 1/16/2010)
2 “This plan is estimated by Democrats to create 30,000 jobs” (The Iowa Independent, 4/25/2009)
3 "This is a practical, pragmatic step. It’s a responsible step. It’s fiscally sound. There’s not a risk here," (Sioux City Journal, 3/15/2009)
4 “That is why I proposed the I-JOBS Initiative to not only rebuild our communities, but create good paying jobs all across our state.” (Culver Press Release, 5/14/2009)
5 2,700 lost construction jobs (SOURCE: Iowa Workforce Development, July 2010,)
6 1,400 lost information services jobs (SOURCE: Iowa Workforce Development, July 2010)
7 9,400 lost transportation jobs (SOURCE: Iowa Workforce Development, July 2010)
8 Nearly 1,000 teachers to be laid off (SOURCE: National Education Association, April 2010)
9 Nearly 20,000 jobs lost since I-Jobs started (SOURCE: Iowa Workforce Development, May 2009 and June 2010)
10 SOURCE: Legislative Services Agency; various sources
11 SOURCE: SF 376, 2009