DES MOINES – Democratic Senator Joe Bolkcom of Iowa City, chair of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, had some strong words for Governor Terry Branstad and the state’s continued investment in a controversial fertilizer plant in Southeast Iowa.
“When negotiating the Orascom fertilizer plant fiasco, Governor Branstad’s tired approach failed to protect Iowa taxpayers,” Bolkom said Monday.
“Iowa’s Governor let hired corporate lobbyists convince him Iowa was in a fight with Illinois, even though federal flood disaster bonds gave Iowa an unbeatable $300 million advantage. As a result of this mistake, Governor Branstad showered Egypt’s largest corporation with millions in tax cuts.
“Last month, I thought Governor Branstad had finally woke up and wised up. It was great news when the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board did not approve the last $25 million giveaway to Orascom as scheduled.
“At last Thursday’s debate, however, Governor Branstad showed that he still doesn’t understand how badly he bungled these negotiations. He made the preposterous claim that Orascom would end construction unless Iowa taxpayers cough up $25 million more.
“Governor Branstad’s arrogant inability to admit when he is wrong is his most serious shortcoming as our state’s executive. When the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board meets on Friday, August 22, they should make it clear that they will not throw away $25 million more to cover up Governor Branstad’s mistakes.”
Questions Governor Terry Branstad needs to answer:
If the future of the Orascom fertilizer plant is in doubt, why didn’t the Iowa Economic Development Authority Board formally consider the $25 million optional payment to Orascom during their July 2014 meeting as called for in your 2012 letter of understanding with billionaire Nassef Sawiris, Orascom’s CEO?*
Did you tell your Director of Economic Development Authority to delay granting another $25 million dollar tax cut to Orascom until after the November elections?
Bonus Question: Should Iowans be concerned that their Governor brags that his sloppy approach to high stakes economic development got him named “Politician of the Year” at an international gathering of corporate lobbyists looking for naïve, easily manipulated local leaders?**
* The World’s Billioinaires: #235 Nassef Sawiris (Forbes) http://www.forbes.com/profile/nassef-sawiris/
** Fertilizer plant, Branstad honored (Des Moines Register) http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2013/11/14/fertilizer-plant-branstad-honored/3523583/
I get a kick out out of you right wing bozo’s.
You bitch and moan here at the local level about “elitist” favors being given out.
But when Branstad blows it out his butt, unnecessarily wasting millions and millions of Iowa taxpayer money on this fertilizer project that was already a done deal, you clowns just bend over and take it.
Right Wing Lackeys:
“We are their serfs, they make the rules and we blindly follow. We are comforted by our ignorance”
What else would you expect him to say “Good Job Gov. Branstad”. He’s a Democrat and this is a election year. Also, his boy Hatch is way behind in the polls.
Agreed, well said LVS.
I also feel the same way about the deal that was struck in Clear Lake with the new distribution Warehouse. The name will come out some time but the building is going up and it is huge!
All the Dems think about is upfront tax money, they don’t think about the tax dollars down the road after the incentive, and the increased income tax that all the employee’s will be paying. Both these projects will pay off for Iowa and Clear Lake in the future.
Branstad ought to be getting fingerprinted and mugshot like Perry in Texas. Firing someone because they pulled your speeding vehicle over is an abuse of power.
@Philly-as I recall he didn’t fire anyone. It was done by the troopers boss for insubordination. You should get your facts straight.