DES MOINES – Progress Iowa today released ‘The Condition of Governor Branstad’s Promises’, an accounting of the promises made by Governor Branstad in advance of his 2014 ‘condition of the state’ address.
The Governor promised to create 200,000 new jobs, reduce the cost of government by 15%, increase family incomes by 25%, and make Iowa’s schools the best in the nation. According to a number of independent sources, many from the Branstad administration directly, the Governor has broken each of those promises.
“The facts are clear — Governor Branstad broke his promise to Iowans,” said Matt Sinovic, executive director of Progress Iowa. “The Governor failed to create jobs, tried to deceive us about the jobs he didn’t create, wasted our tax dollars on 5-star travel for the people who failed to create jobs, and on top of it all gave his employees bonuses. His legacy of failed policies and broken promises add up to stagnant family incomes and school children who are at risk because they’re living in poverty at higher rates than ever before.”
The Condition of Governor Branstad’s Promises: Broken, Broken, Broken, and Broken
Branstad’s Promise: Create 200,000 New Jobs
Result: Net increase of only 54,000 jobs since January 2011
Status: BROKEN PROMISE
Background:
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Governor Branstad promised to create 200,000 new jobs [Source: Gov. Branstad’s website]
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Total nonfarm employment grew by just 54,000 jobs between January 2011 and November 2013 [Source: Iowa Workforce Development Spreadsheet]
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Governor Branstad was forced to downgrade his disputed job claims [Source: Associated Press]
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67% of Iowans believe his method of counting ‘gross jobs’ is dishonest [Source: Public Policy Polling, Jan 3-5, 2014]
Branstad’s Promise: 15% Reduction in the Cost of Government
Result: Hundreds of thousands in taxpayer dollars wasted
Status: BROKEN PROMISE
Background:
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Governor Branstad promised a 15% reduction in the cost of government [Source: Gov. Branstad’s website]
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The Branstad administration has continually been criticized for wasting funds:
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Paying bonuses to Branstad appointees [Source: Cedar Rapids Gazette]
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Flying first class on international trips, and staying at hotels that offer 5-star luxury accomodations [Source: WHO TV]
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Spending $100,000 on a Department of Transportation logo redesign [Source: Des Moines Register]
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Spending more than $500,000 to remove Chris Godfrey, the Iowa Workers Compensation Commissioner, including hiring lawyers at $325 per hour [Source: Cityview]. This is one of many lawsuits Branstad has been forced to defend because of mismanagement or overreaching his constitutional authority [Source: Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier]
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Branstad’s Promise: 25% Increase in Family Incomes
Result: Median family income grew by just 0.2% from 2010 to 2012
Status: BROKEN PROMISE
Background:
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Governor Branstad promised a 25% increase in family incomes [Source: Gov. Branstad’s website]
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Median family income has risen by $111 dollars since 2010, an increase of just 0.2% [Source: U.S. Census Data]
Branstad’s Promise: Create the best schools in the nation
Result: Iowa ranks 37th in per pupil spending, and poverty holds back more Iowa school children than ever before
Status: BROKEN PROMISE
Background:
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Governor Branstad promised to create the best schools in the nation [Source: Gov. Branstad’s website]
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Iowa is ranked just 37th in per pupil spending [Source: Des Moines Register]
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More than 40% of Iowa school children are eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, up from 25% a decade ago [Source: Annual Condition of Education Report, 2012]