DES MOINES – Announcing his support for Secretary of State Matt Schultz’s voter ID bill today, Governor Branstad tried to build the case for such a law by alleging that voter fraud has happened in the state, while failing to back up his claim with any evidence.

Speaking to reporters this morning he said “we have had efforts in past elections where people falsely vote in an area where they’re not eligible.” Branstad failed to back up his claim with any evidence that voter fraud has actually occurred in the state. Even Secretary Schultz, in announcing his bill last week, admitted that Iowa doesn’t have a history of voter fraud.

“This effort on the part of Governor Branstad to misinform the public about voting in Iowa is irresponsible. Voter fraud is not a problem in this state. That fact makes it tough to sell a voter ID bill that will cost millions and make it harder for countless Iowans to vote,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky.

“The real facts about voter ID are clear: For many Iowans it will make voting much more difficult and may even require them to pay for pieces of identification. While this bill allows student IDs to be used, there are hardly any colleges and universities that have IDs that meet the requirements. Finally, as in other states that have passed these restrictive laws, taxpayers will be stuck paying the millions it costs to implement.”

“The cost of this bill, both financial and to the Iowans who will not vote as a result, is too high. Especially when it’s designed to fix a problem that, despite Governor Branstad’s claim, does not exist in Iowa,” added Dvorsky.

DES MOINES – The Branstad administration is not denying a report that it sought to remove its title from the “Iowa Governor’s Conference on LGBTQ Youth,” leading many Iowans to question why the governor would distance himself from an event designed to prevent bullying and lead to a healthy learning environment for all Iowa children.

“Governor Branstad’s silence on this speaks volumes,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky.  “Either the charges made by the Family Leader are true, or the governor is unwilling to stand up to Bob Vander Plaats and Chuck Hurley. If he is distancing himself from this event, that is unacceptable. For an event that has long been a source of bipartisan cooperation, Gov. Branstad should give it the respect and recognition that it deserves.”

The Des Moines Register reports that Branstad’s office has refused to deny a report published this week by the Family Leader, which said the administration asked conference organizers to remove the word “Governor’s” from the event name.

“Iowa schools should be a safe place for all students and we should encourage organizations like Iowa Safe Schools who work everyday to make that happen, not distancing ourselves from them. I hope the governor will finally give Iowans a straight answer on this and decide to support efforts to keep our schools safe and accepting of all students,” added Dvorsky.

DES MOINES – Governor Branstad’s latest tour, this time designed to promote his condition of the state address, takes him to Cedar Rapids today where he will meet with a prominent fundraising group instead of taking his message to the public.

According to the governor’s office, both he and Lt. Gov. Reynolds will attend an 11:00 a.m. meeting at the Cedar Rapids Country Club to deliver his condition of the state address to the Linn Eagles.¹ Linn Eagles is an organization that has given thousands of dollars to Republican candidates and describes themselves by saying, “we make it our primary mission to raise and allocate financial resources and organize volunteer efforts to elect Republicans to our County Board of Supervisors, State House of Representatives, State Senate, and Governor’s office.” ²

“Governor Branstad had an opportunity to talk to Linn County residents about his vision for our state. Instead, he’s visiting with a Republican fundraising group that has given thousands of dollars to candidates,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “If the governor is serious about building bipartisan support for his agenda, this is a bad start. He should be talking to families across Iowa who want assurance that he will join Democrats and focus on strengthening education and creating jobs, not on returning favors to Republican fundraisers.”

Similar tour stops this week have taken place at public and easily accessible locations, including a community college and convention center. This is the only event listed on the governor and lieutenant governor’s schedule for today.

Sources:

1. Public Schedule of Governor Terry Branstad, Jan. 9, 2012 – Jan. 14, 2012.

2. Linn Eagles Facebook Group, accessed 1/12/12.

DES MOINES – Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky released the following statement applauding today’s court decision regarding Gov. Branstad’s veto of a bipartisan effort to keep Workforce Development office open:

“Today’s court decision is the first step towards giving Iowans the access to resources that will put them back to work and grow our communities. As a result of Governor Branstad’s overreach, communities across the state lost the support of professionals at local Workforce Development offices. The governor’s decision to close these offices was irresponsible and has resulted in an unnecessary burden on people across the state looking for work.

“Governor Branstad crossed a line, and we’re pleased the court has stood up for the Constitution of Iowa. We hope the governor realizes his mistake and works with the legislature to restore this vital resource for Iowans.”

It’s time for the governor and his staff to reread this principle. They seem to have forgotten it.

DES MOINES – After promising to increase transparency in state government, the Branstad administration continues to opt for closed meetings and secrecy around important discussions.

The Des Moines Register reports Gov. Branstad’s office refuses to disclose whether lobbyists for the nursing home industry are participating in private meetings about nursing home safety. The meetings, which Branstad described including “department heads and other key people that have thoughts and ideas,” have not been made public and have failed to include advocates for Iowa seniors.

“At every turn, Governor Branstad has chosen secrecy over transparency. Keeping Iowa seniors safe is an important discussion that should include opinions of more than just industry lobbyists,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “This discussion is an opportunity to show that his administration is taking steps to increase transparency, but Governor Branstad’s office has again failed to do so. This administration is so secretive that it cannot say who is in attendance at these meetings.”

Upon taking office, Branstad appointed a transparency advisor to guide his office in making government open to Iowans. Unfortunately, the advisor’s only response to this incident was, “I’m not an attorney. I really don’t have an opinion on it.”

“For the sake of seniors in nursing homes across the state, I hope this administration begins to take opinions of all Iowans into account and uphold their promise of being transparent,” added Dvorsky.

Source:

Des Moines Register, Branstad’s office won’t say whether lobbyists are part of care site talks, 12/1/11

“We expect better from government in Iowa,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Going behind the scenes to pull funding from an organization that advocates on behalf of Iowans with disabilities is inappropriate. Doing so because you were criticized is childish.”

DES MOINES – The Branstad administration sought to strip funding from Disability Rights Iowa after the governor was criticized for failing to protect senior citizens in nursing homes across the state.

“We expect better from government in Iowa. Going behind the scenes to pull funding from an organization that advocates on behalf of Iowans with disabilities is inappropriate, doing so because you were criticized is childish,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Governor Branstad should focus on strengthening our state, not trying to decrease protections on senior citizens and other Iowans.”

In March, Branstad supported the elimination of 10 nursing home inspectors and two abuse investigators. While he cited budget constraints, Iowa ended the fiscal year with over a billion dollars in the bank.

Disability Rights Iowa criticized Branstad’s failure to protect senior citizens in a September 1^st opinion column. Records obtained by the Des Moines Register show that days after the column was published, Branstad Chief of Staff Jeff Boeyink contacted Congressman Latham’s office to discuss details of the group’s funding and options for reducing it. The head of the group, Sylvia Piper, was then fired to appease the Branstad administration and prevent funding cuts.

On top of reductions to nursing home inspectors, Branstad’s draconian budget has also placed rural children at risk. County attorneys have spoken out against cuts to child-abuse caseworkers, who, because of steep cutbacks, now have to drive as much as three hours to investigate abuse cases.

“Governor Branstad and his Republican allies must be held accountable for their actions. Their partisan agenda and irresponsible budget continues to reduce the quality of life and safety for countless Iowans,” added Dvorsky.

“Governor Branstad’s quick defense of Scott Walker and the anti-worker legislation in Iowa and Wisconsin, shows how committed he remains to putting working men and women in our state last,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky.

“When Governor Branstad took office he was handed a state in remarkable condition. We were already on track to have a billion dollar surplus this year, our AAA bond rating was attracting businesses to the state, and Iowa was leading national rankings for the best place to do business and raise a family. His support of HF 525 during the last session and its attack on workers across the state is indefensible.”

Branstad’s choice to manufacture a financial crisis is a tactic shared by Governor Walker. Wisconsin’s budget crisis was created only after Walker and his Republican allies pushed through $140 million in new spending for special interest groups.

“Governor Branstad has rushed to defend Governor Walker because he knows how similar their priorities are. Unfortunately for both of them, this is an agenda that is deeply opposed by voters across the country,” added Dvorsky.

DES MOINES – As Scott Walker visits Iowa today for a Heritage Foundation fundraiser, he brings a familiar anti-worker agenda that is nearly identical to that of Governor Terry Branstad.

“While Scott Walker’s attack on working men and women in his state drew national attention, Governor Branstad and Iowa Republicans were pushing their own anti-worker bill. If passed, it would have ended decades of important protections for workers across the state,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chairwoman Sue Dvorsky. “Throughout his career, Governor Branstad has failed to support working men and women across this state, just as Scott Walker is doing in his.”

Much like Walker’s Budget Repair Bill, Iowa House File 525 would have placed drastic limitation on bargaining topics, while also granting the governor power to overturn decisions reached with workers through arbitration. The bills in both states were promoted through false claims that draconian cuts were necessary to balance budgets.

“I wish I could say that Scott Walker’s agenda is isolated to our neighbors in Wisconsin, but it’s just as evident in the actions of Governor Branstad and Iowa Republicans,” added Dvorsky.