State of Iowa Archives: on Local Issues


Kim Reynolds: Reform state professional licensing process

One quarter of Iowa's workforce requires some kind of professional license. We need to adopt universal licensing recognition. Those who go through a rigorous application process in another state, and meet certain conditions in our state, should be able to have that license recognized here. Second, we should waive license fees for low-income individuals. These reforms are long overdue, and this is the year we will begin to fix a broken system.
Source: 2020 Iowa State of the State address Jan 14, 2020

Jack Hatch: Let market forces decide on new casinos, not politics

Gov. Branstad said he would defer decisions on issuing any more state casino gambling licenses to the state Racing and Gaming Commission, which determined last month that it would not welcome new license applications for the next 3 years.

Hatch expressed concern that the panel used "a reason and rationale that is not in the statute" in looking at "cannibalization" and the preservation and protection of existing casinos' profits in deciding license applications and casino locations. "That is being interpreted by the chairman of the gaming commission. That's beyond his authority. My chairman would not have that," Hatch said. "I would let the market decide," Hatch said about the placement of new casinos. "We shouldn't be picking winners and losers, and there's nothing in the state statute that says we have to protect the other casinos."

Branstad said he believed "it would be wrong for there to be political interference" in the commission's handling of licensure issues.

Source: Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier on 2014 Iowa governor debate Aug 17, 2014

Terry Branstad: Let Gaming Commission decide location of new casinos, if any

Gov. Terry Branstad is taking a status-quo view of state gaming regulation, while state Sen. Jack Hatch wants market forces to guide future casino licensure decisions in Iowa.

Branstad said he would defer decisions on issuing any more state casino gambling licenses to the state Racing and Gaming Commission, which determined last month that it would not welcome new license applications for the next 3 years. Hatch said, "We shouldn't be picking winners and losers, and there's nothing in the state statute that says we have to protect the other casinos."

Branstad said he believed "it would be wrong for there to be political interference" in the commission's handling of licensure issues to protect the integrity of the state, keep operations safe and fair and following establish criteria to determine what is in the best interest of the people of Iowa.

But Hatch responded, "For a governor to interfere with the market and protect existing business is an anomaly for a Republican governor."

Source: Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier on 2014 Iowa governor debate Aug 17, 2014

Terry Branstad: Saving costs is a priority: rescind RICE rule

Signed Executive Order number 72, rescinding the Iowa "RICE" rule. The RICE rule forced back-up diesel generators to be retrofitted with very expensive new parts, even though the engines are rarely used.

On a 'Rules and Regulations' tour we learned of many regulations burden Iowa business. This administration is serious about removing burdensome regulations. 67 Iowa utilities would have added costs because of this rule, which would likely result in higher prices for the Iowa consumer.

Source: 2011 Iowa Gubernatorial press release Apr 4, 2011

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2020 Presidential contenders on Local Issues:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021