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Jobs from new fertilizer plant discussed during Iowa gubernatorial debate

Governor Terry Branstad and Senator Jack Hatch met in a debate for Iowa’s gubernatorial race. Vying for the seat as Iowa Governor, the two went head-to-head in ...
Branstad and Hatch

Governor Terry Branstad and Senator Jack Hatch met in a debate for Iowa’s gubernatorial race.

Vying for the seat as Iowa Governor, the two went head-to-head in a debate Saturday, September 20, 2014 at Edward Stone Middle School in Burlington.

During the debate the candidates touched on the new fertilizer plant in Lee County.  Branstad said the construction of Orascom in Iowa has been great for the economy and has brought in jobs to the state.  One question asked him to describe where the jobs have come from.

“It’s brought a lot of jobs to the area, many of them have been filled by Iowans and there have been some that have come in from other areas as well,” Branstad said. He also added that there weren’t enough skilled Iowans to fill jobs at Orascom but legislation was passed this year that will help train Iowans for skilled trade jobs “like those at the fertilizer plant,” through apprenticeships.

Click here to see a recording of the entire debate.

He said apprenticeships will allow Iowans to “learn as they earn,” and replenish the labor force in fields like construction and manufacturing which Branstad said were lost in the recession.

“This isn’t the only project, but this is the biggest and one of the best,” he added.

Hatch had a different idea about job creation.

“We’re talking about the possibility over the next four-six years of an economic opportunity explosion in jobs, but we wont do it if we’re going to put all of our eggs in the basket of large corporations and large projects,” Hatch said. “Then you will have an inability to attract the workers to do the job and the construction. What we’re going to focus on is on small business.”

Both candidates threw jabs at their opponent’s administration and the attack ads against them. Hatch said the Branstad administration is “the most scandal-ridden administration in the state.”

Branstad’s rebuttal was simple and to the point. “Iowans know me, they know I’m honest, straightforward, and transparent. I trust the people of Iowa. I have nothing to hide,” said Branstad.

Hatch created a stir in the audience when he replied to Branstad.

“You stop lying about me and I’ll stop telling the truth about you,” Hatch said.

Supporters from both sides of the campaign were outside Edward Stone Middle School before the debate flying their candidates’ campaign flag and cheering them on. Five hundred tickets were distributed to the general public for the event and the school’s auditorium was completely full of Hatch and Branstad supporters.

“I just wanted to get out and support Hatch as best I could,” said LaVon Worley, a Hatch supporter. “I think we need a change in the state house, Branstad has been there long enough.”

“[Branstad] has solved our unemployment rate, he’s brought a great permanent industry to southeast Iowa,” said Gene Enke, a Branstad supporter. “The Iowa Midwest farmers are going to save some astronomical amount of money by being able to buy their ammonia and corn fertilizer at a lesser cost.”

The next Iowa Gubernatorial debate is set for October 14, 2014 in Sioux City, Iowa.

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