Branstad Throws $21 Million At Egyptian Fertilizer Company While Telling Iowa Schools to F*** Off

[rurallib]

(love that headline) (mods - I have permission to post all of an article from blogforiowa)
http://www.blogforiowa.com/2015/06/19/branstad-throws-21-million-at-egyptian-fertilizer-company-while-telling-iowa-schools-to-f-off/

progressiowa.org

Branstad Funds Orascom Instead of Schools

DES MOINES — The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) today approved an additional $21.5 million in tax incentives for the Iowa Fertilizer Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Orascom Construction Industries. The total granted to Orascom by IEDA is now nearly $110 million, and today’s decision comes just days after the Iowa legislature adjourned a contentious session where revenue shortfalls played a role in every budgetary decision.

In July of 2014, Public Policy Polling released a survey showing widespread opposition to granting another set of tax incentives for Orascom. 55% of registered voters in Iowa were opposed, and just 22% were in favor.

In response to today’s decision by IEDA, Progress Iowa executive director Matt Sinovic issued the following statement:

“Today’s decision by the Branstad administration to grant Orascom another $21.5 million is shameful. How can the Governor tell teachers or state employees that we have the money for an Egyptian fertilizer company, but not for our schools or other programs we value? The Governor’s priorities are misguided and out of step with everyday Iowans.”

“Orascom has taken advantage of every giveaway from the Branstad administration, fired more than 1,100 workers, and then had the audacity to come back and ask for more. Unfortunately, IEDA never knows when to stand up for Iowa values and say enough is enough.”

“Every budget decision shows what our state values. Our legislature and Governor chose not to adequately fund education this year. The Governor ignored the legislature and chose to shut down half of our state’s mental health facilities. But somehow, some way, this Egyptian fertilizer company keeps receiving millions of dollars from a state that supposedly can’t afford much of anything else.”

“Today’s decision demonstrates that our Governor and legislature don’t value our schools, state workers, or those in need of mental health care as much as they value a foreign corporation with a poor track record.”

Progress Iowa is a multi-issue progressive advocacy organization with a network of more than 60,000 progressives. Year-round, Progress Iowa advocates for a stronger middle class, first-class public education, and fairness for all Iowans under the law.

Contact: Matt Sinovic, [phone]

[IADEMO2004]

1. Branstad and North Korea's Kim Jung-Un have the same construction Company. Orascom

Business is business, right?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryugyong_Hotel

In April 2008, after 16 years of inactivity, work on the building was restarted by the Egyptian company Orascom Group.[19][20] Orascom, which has entered into a US$400 million deal with the North Korean government to build and run a 3G mobile phone network, said that their telecommunications deal was not directly related to the Ryugyong Hotel work.[3] In 2008 North Korean officials stated that the hotel would be completed by 2012, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of the birth of the "Eternal President", Kim Il-sung.[15] In 2009, Orascom's COO Khaled Bichara noted that they "had not had too many problems" resolving the reported structural issues of the building, and that a revolving restaurant will be located at the top of the building.[3]

In July 2011, it was reported that the exterior work was complete.[21] Features that Orascom has installed include exterior glass panels and telecommunications antennas.[22] In September 2012 photographs taken by Koryo Tours were released, showing the interior for the very first time. There were very few fixtures or furnishings.[23][24] In November 2012 international hotel operator Kempinski announced it would be running the hotel which was expected to partially open in mid-2013.[25][26] However, these plans were put on hold with heightened tensions in 2013.[27]

[IADEMO2004]

2. Yesterday's news here. Mental health workers and patients-- No money for you.

GOP filled the airwaves with "We passed the largest tax cut in iowa history" political ads in 2014.

http://www.kmaland.com/news/clarinda-mhi-supporters-react-to-layoffs/article_5f0d7182-16a2-11e5-b72d-870f0b640c58.html

Iowa Department of Human Services officials confirmed to KMA News that 53 staff members in Clarinda, as well as 28 Mount Pleasant MHI employees, have been given layoff notices, as the DHS awaits final decision on recent legislation. Prior to the end of the 2015 session, lawmakers approved a bill providing funding to continue Clarinda's operations until December 15th, and allowing Mount Pleasant's facilities to stay open for another fiscal year. But, Governor Terry Branstad has yet to act on the bill, which could impact the availability of funding for the MHIs next fiscal year, which begins July 1st. Clarinda Economic Development Director John Greenwood tells KMA News the layoffs are not a good sign.

"It's sad that the DHS has decided to make this move," said Greenwood. "The Legislature did appropriate funds to keep all four MHIs open--Clarinda through December, Mount Pleasant through the fiscal year. In my view, it's a little premature for the DHS to make this move with the excuse that the appropriations have not been approved or signed by the governor at this point."

The agreement keeping the two MHIs open was designed to buy more time to put alternative services in place. But, Greenwood expresses concern about the loss of services with the facilities' pending closing.

"The regional system is not in place to cover this yet," he said. "We're going to have a gap where these folks are going to need services, but are not going to be able to access them.

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3. Ugh.

The best Governor money can buy.

F every one who voted for him.