Iowa Public Television

DEBATE 9-16-02>> THIS IS A SPECIAL REBROADCAST OF "CAMPAIGN 2002, THE IOWA GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE," SPONSORED BY "KCRG TV9" AND "GAZETTE COMMUNICATIONS," THAT WAS HELD LAST EVENING IN CEDAR RAPIDS. IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S BROADCAST OF LAST NIGHT'S DEBATE WAS MARRED BY TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES. TONIGHT'S REBROADCAST IS PRESENTED AS A PUBLIC SERVICE, WITH THANKS TO KCRG TV FOR HELPING MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

 

 Aune: GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, AND WELCOME TO TONIGHT'S "VOTE 2002, AN IOWA GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE." I'M KCRG TV9'S NEWS ANCHOR, BRUCE AUNE, AND WE ARE HERE TONIGHT AT THE DOWS FINE ART CENTER ON THE CAMPUS OF COE COLLEGE IN CEDAR RAPIDS. OUR DEBATE TONIGHT FEATURES THE TWO MAJOR CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR OF IOWA: REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER DOUG GROSS AND DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT TOM VILSACK. TWO OTHER CANDIDATES FOR GOVERNOR WILL ALSO BE ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT. CLYDE CLEVELAND IS RUNNING ON THELIBERTARIAN TICKET, AND JAY ROBINSON IS THE GREEN-PARTY CANDIDATE. OF COURSE, VOTERS, AS ALWAYS, HAVE THE OPTION OF WRITE-IN CANDIDATES AS WELL, BUT TONIGHT WE WANT TO DIRECT OUR QUESTIONS TO THE TWO FRONT-RUNNERS IN THIS CAMPAIGN. JOINING ME AND ASKING THE QUESTIONS TONIGHT WILL BE JAMES LYNCH, A "GAZETTE" POLITICAL WRITER, AND GENE LUCHT, OF THE PUBLICATION "IOWA FARMER TODAY." EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE TWO MINUTES FOR OPENING REMARKS. AFTER THAT WE WILL BEGIN ASKING OUR QUESTIONS. A COIN TOSS THIS AFTERNOON DETERMINED THAT DOUG GROSS WILL GO FIRST TONIGHT WITH THE OPENING STATEMENT. AND, MR. GROSS, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

 

 Gross: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL TUNING IN TONIGHT. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE "CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE" ANDKCRG AND COE COLLEGE FOR SPONSORING THIS DEBATE. YOU KNOW, I GREW UP IN A VERY SMALL TOWN IN IOWA CALLED DEFIANCE, IOWA, THE FOURTH IN A FAMILY OF TEN. AND WEDIDN'T HAVE A LOT OF MATERIAL THINGS GROWING UP, BUT MY MOM AND DAD TAUGHT ME BASIC VALUES LIKE FAITH AND FAMILY, HONESTY AND HARD WORK. THOSE ARE VALUES I'VE TAKEN WITH ME TO THIS VERY MOMENT.  AS I'VE TRAVELED AROUND ALL 99 COUNTIES DURING THE COURSE OF THIS CAMPAIGN, THOSE ARE THE SAME VALUES I FOUND IMBUED IN ALL THE PEOPLE OF IOWA, AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THIS STATE SO SPECIAL. BUT I'VE ALSO HEARD A LOT OF THINGS AS I'VE TRAVELED ABOUT THE STATE. I'VE HEARD THAT IOWANS ARE CONCERNED, CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR FUTURE.  AND THE ISSUE THEY SEE IN THIS ELECTION IS THE FACT THAT WE CAN DO BETTER AND WE NEED CHANGE.  YOU KNOW, MY PLAN TONIGHT IS TO LAY OUT FOR MY VISION FOR IOWA, IF YOU'LL PRIVILEGE ME BY LETTING ME LEAD YOU AS GOVERNOR.  I WANT GOOD PAYING JOBS IN ALL CORNERS OF OUR STATE, NOT JUST IN A FEW COUNTIES.  I WANT TO RUN THE BUDGET;  I DON'T WANT TO LET THE BUDGET RUN ME.  I WANT TO WORK WITH TEACHERS TO MAKE IOWA'S SCHOOLS WORLD CLASS ALL OVER OUR STATE. I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT WE STOP THE SPIRALING TUITION INCREASES, 50 PERCENT IN THREE YEARS, AND PROPERTY TAX INCREASES, OVER 17 PERCENT SINCE GOVERNOR VILSACK HAS BEEN IN OFFICE. AND, YES, I'LL TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP VERSUS MISMANAGEMENT.  MY OPPONENT TONIGHT PROBABLY ALSO HAS A PLAN TO TALK ABOUT ONE THING, ME.  TO TWIST THE TRUTH ABOUT ME, TO TANGLE THE FACTS, TO CONFUSE AND MISLEAD, ALL TO TRY TO AVOID TALKING ABOUT THE FUNDAMENTAL ISSUE, THE NEED FOR CHANGE AND THE CHANCE TO DO BETTER IN IOWA. YOU KNOW, IF YOU GIVE ME ACHANCE, WE'LL HAVE NEW LEADERSHIP, NEW ENERGY, NEW DIRECTION IN IOWA SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE BEST IS NOT BEHIND US IN IOWA BUT IS JUST AHEAD.  THANK YOU.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. AND, GOVERNOR VILSACK, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

 

 Vilsack: THANK YOU AND GOOD EVENING. SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THIS GREAT STATEAS THEIR GOVERNOR HAS BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY PRIVILEGE AND HONOR, AS CHRISTIE, SALLY PEDERSON, AND I HAVE TRAVELED ALL 99 COUNTIES, VISITED HUNDREDS OF IOWA COMMUNITIES, AND TALKED TO THOUSANDS OF IOWANS ABOUT THEIR HOPES AND DREAMS. OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WE'VE REALIZED WHAT A GREAT STATE WE HAVE.  WE'VE BEEN CHALLENGED DURING THE LAST TWELVE TO EIGHTTEEN MONTHS.  THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11 AND A NATIONAL RECESSION HAVE CHALLENGED US, BUT WE HAVE MET THAT CHALLENGE AND WE HAVE PROGRESSED.  WORKING TOGETHER WE'VE IMPROVED OUR SCHOOLS, REDUCING CLASS SIZES AND EARLY LEARNERS ARE READING BETTER.  WORKING TOGETHER WE'VE EXPANDED ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR CHILDREN AND FOR OLDER IOWANS:  25,000 YOUNGSTERS CURRENTLY RECEIVING HEALTH CARE WHO WERE UNINSURED WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE;  OVER 17,000 SENIORS CURRENTLY RECEIVING HOME CARE AND ASSISTED LIVING. AND, YES, WORKING TOGETHER, WE'VE ALSO REACHED RECORD LEVELS OF EMPLOYMENT AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HUNDREDS OF NEW BUSINESSES OPENING UP AS A RESULT OF VENTURE CAPITAL PROPOSALS RECENTLY ENACTED.  WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS AND MUCH MORE WHILE STILL BALANCING THE BUDGET EVERY SINGLE YEAR, REDUCING THE COST TO YOU OF STATE GOVERNMENT, AS A TAXPAYER, AND HAVING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN STATE RESERVES AND OTHER FUND ACCOUNTS. AS A MAYOR, AS A STATE SENATOR, AND AS AGOVERNOR, I KNOW MY JOB IS TO LOOK OUT FOR EVERYDAY ORDINARY IOWANS, FOLKS WHO PLAY BY THE RULES AND WORK HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY.   NOW, MY OPPONENT HAS SPENT MOST OF HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE AS A CORPORATE LOBBYIST. THAT MEANS THERE ARE TIMES, SUCH AS WHEN HE ADVOCATED FOR LARGE CORPORATE HOG LOTS, THAT HE WORKS AGAINST THE INTERESTS OF PEOPLE AND FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.  MAYBE THAT EXPLAINS WHY WE HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW ABOUT THE FUTURE.  AS I WORK TO RAISE WAGES AND THE MINIMUM WAGE, EXPAND ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE FOR THE MENTALLY ILL, WORK TO REDUCE THE COST OF PRESCRIPTION DRUGS, AS WELL AS TUITION, MY OPPONENT TALKS ABOUT TAX BREAKS -- CORPORATE TAX BREAKS FOR CORPORATIONS.  I LOOK FORWARD TO AN HONEST DEBATE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS STATE, A DEBATE THAT WILL FOCUS ON A FUTURE THAT IS BRIGHT, HOPEFUL, AND OPTIMISTIC.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. AND WE NOW BEGIN THE QUESTIONING. EACH CANDIDATE TONIGHT WILL HAVE FORTY-FIVE SECONDS TO RESPOND TO EACH QUESTION.  AND SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE DEBATE, WE'RE GOING TO BE STOPPING THE QUESTIONING AND GIVING EACH OF YOU A MINUTE TO REBUT WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING THROUGHOUT THE EVENING.  AND THEN AT THAT POINT, WE WILL GO ON WITH QUESTIONING AGAIN. OUR FIRST QUESTION TONIGHT IS FOR DOUG GROSS, AND IT'S FROM JAMES LYNCH OF "THE GAZETTE."

 

 Lynch: MR. GROSS, FORMER PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH ONCE SAID "READ MY LIPS, NO NEW TAXES." WHEN IT COMES TO THE POSSIBILITY OF FEE OR TAX INCREASES FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WHAT CAN WE READ FROM YOUR LIPS TONIGHT?

 

 Gross: WHAT WE COULD READ TONIGHT IS THAT IOWA IS ALREADY OVERTAXED.  OUR CITIZENS AREN'T TAXED TOO MUCH, THEY'RE -- OR TOO LITTLE, THEY'RE TAXED TOOMUCH.  YOU KNOW, IOWA HAS 1 PERCENT OF THE COUNTRY'S POPULATION, YET 6 PERCENT OF IT'S GOVERNMENT.  LITTLE WONDER WHY IOWA ALONE, AMONG ALL THE STATES IN THE MIDWEST CURRENTLY, AMONG THE STATES THAT TOUCH US, IS NOT GROWING.  WE DON'T NEED MORE TAXES IN IOWA. WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS REORGANIZE AND RESTRUCTURE GOVERNMENT SO IT FITS WITHIN THE ABILITY OF OUR CITIZENS TO PAY FOR IT. THAT'S CLEARLY WHAT WE NEED IN IOWA, AND THAT'S WHAT MY FOCUS WILL BE.

 

 Aune: GOVERNOR?

 

 Vilsack: WELL, THE FACT IS WE'VE HAD OVER $400 MILLION OF TAX RELIEF IN THE LAST THREE AND A HALF YEARS.  MY OPPONENT CONTINUALLY TALKS ABOUT TAX BREAKS, BUT HE TALKS ABOUT IT IN TERMS OF CORPORATE TAXBREAKS OR GIVEAWAYS.  CANDIDLY, WHAT WE NEED ARE GREAT SCHOOLS, ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, QUALITY ENVIRONMENT.  I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITIES AND THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT WE'VE HAD IN IMPROVING THE ENVIRONMENT, OUR SCHOOLS, AND OUR HEALTH CARE.  BUT THERE'S MORE TO DO AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE CHALLENGE OF THE FUTURE.

 

 Aune: THIS QUESTION IS FROM GENE LUCHT FOR GOVERNOR VILSACK.

 

 Lucht: THANK YOU. GOVERNOR, I GUESS THE REAL BASIC QUESTION IS IF REVENUES DON'T GO UP, WHAT GETS CUT SPECIFICALLY?

 

 Vilsack: WELL, GENE, WE HAVE TAKEN STEPS IN THE LAST TWELVE MONTHS TO REDUCE SPENDING.  THE GENERAL FUND BUDGET IS $60 MILLION BELOW WHAT IT WAS WHEN I TOOK OFFICE.  THE COST TO TAXPAYERS TO STATE GOVERNMENT IS THE PERCENTAGE OF INCOME IS THE LOWEST IT'S BEEN IN TWENTY YEARS.  THE FACT IS WE BEGAN SEEING PROGRESS IN JUST THE END OF THE LAST FISCAL YEAR WHERE ADDITIONAL REVENUES RESULTED IN US HAVING A SURPLUS THAT WILL BE ANNOUNCED HERE IN THE NEXT COUPLEOF WEEKS.  IN ADDITION, THE REVENUE ESTIMATING CONFERENCE JUST RECENTLY MET AND INDICATED THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL $66 MILLION OF REVENUE TO BE ADDED TO THE REVENUES.  SO IT APPEARS AS IF WE HAVE TURNED THE CORNER, AND IT MAKES SENSE SINCE WE'RE NOW LOOKING AT RECORD EMPLOYMENT LEVELS IN OUR STATE.

 

 Aune: MR. GROSS?

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, IF YOU LOOK AROUND THE STATE, YOU LOOK AT THE IMPLICATIONS WITH STATE SERVICES, YOU'LL SEE WE'RE FURLOUGHING PEOPLE, WE'RE LAYING PEOPLE OFF, SCHOOLS HAD THEIR SCHOOL AID CUT, TUITIONS ARE GOING UP BY RECORD AMOUNTS. ARE YOUR PROPERTY TAX BILLS LOWER THAN THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO? NO, THEY'RE GOING UP, SKYROCKETING ALL BECAUSE THE STATE HAS MISMANAGED ITS BUDGET BECAUSE OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER HASN'T MANAGED THE BUDGET APPROPRIATELY.  I'VE LAID OUT A PLAN ON WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO.  I'VE SAID WE OUGHT TO REORGANIZE STATE GOVERNMENT FROM TOP TO BOTTOM AND MAKE ITFIT ITS TIMES.  I'VE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT YOU DON'T GIVE AN EQUIVALENT OF A DOUBLE-DIGIT SALARY INCREASE AND BENEFIT INCREASES AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE LAYING PEOPLE OFF. AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT MAKING CERTAIN THAT WE MANAGE MEDICAID, NOT LET IT MANAGE US.  THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. >> Aune: THANK YOU.  THIS QUESTION IS FOR DOUG GROSS. RIGHT NOW IOWA'S ROAD USE TAX FORMULA BENEFITS AREAS OF THE STATE THAT PAID THE LEAST IN GAS AND VEHICLE TAXES AND HURTS THE PARTS OF THE STATE THAT PAY THE MOST.  HOW WOULD YOU REVISE THAT FORMULA?

 

 Gross: WELL, THE ROAD USE TAX FUND IS VERY IMPORTANT, AND OUR ROAD USE TAX FUND SHOULD BE KEPT WITHIN THAT FUND AND NOT ROBBED AND USED TO PAY FOR THE OPERATIONS OF STATE GOVERNMENT, AS GOVERNORVILSACK HAS SUGGESTED, BECAUSEROAD INFRASTRUCTURE ISCRITICAL TO OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH. IT IS IMPORTANT TO ALL PARTS OF OUR STATES SO WE HAVE A CHANCE TO GROW.  MY SUGGESTION IS THAT WE WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE THE STUDY THAT'S BEING CONDUCTED RIGHTNOW TO REVIEW THAT FORMULA AND TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS FOCUS IN THE ROAD USE TAX FORMULA AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF THOSE FUNDS AND MAKING CERTAIN THAT ROADS ARE USED TO HELP GROW OUR STATE.  IT'S A CRITICALCOMPONENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE, AND THAT'S WHY WE NEED TO PROTECT THAT FUND AND NOT ROB IT FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

 

 Aune: GOVERNOR VILSACK?

 

 Vilsack: THE ROAD FUND HAS GROWN BY OVER $100MILLION IN THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS, AND WE HAVE A PLAN CALLED IOWA IN MOTION, WHICH IS DESIGNED TO CONNECT ALL THE COMMERCIAL CENTERS TO ONE ANOTHER.  I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AND, DOUG, YOU KNOW, WE DIDN'T PROPOSE RAIDING THE ROAD FUND. AND SPEAKING OF REORGANIZATION OF STATE GOVERNMENT, WHY WON'T YOU LET US KNOW WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR REORGANIZING STATE GOVERNMENT? IF YOU DON'T TELL US THE FACTS, HOW CAN WE TRUST YOU WITH THE DECISIONS THAT WOULD BE MADE AFTER THE ELECTION? AND YOU ALSO MENTIONED STATE SALARIES. DOUG, WHAT I DON'T UNDERSTAND IS THE HYPOCRISY OF YOU TALKING ABOUT STATE SALARIES WHEN YOU AS A STATE EMPLOYEE SAW A 600-PERCENT INCREASE IN YOUR SALARY DURING THE COURSEOF YOUR TENURE AS A STATE EMPLOYEE, SOME YEARS RECEIVING CLOSE TO 36- TO 60-PERCENT INCREASE IN SALARY.  HOW CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THAT AND THEN TALK ABOUT FREEZING SALARIES? DON'T YOU THINK IT'S A BIT HYPOCRITICAL?

 

 Gross: I'D BE HAPPY TO RESPOND.

 

 Aune: WELL, YOU'LL HAVE YOURMOMENT --

 

 Gross: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.  >> Aune: -- IN A FEW MOMENTS HERE. THIS NEXT QUESTION IS FROM JAMES LYNCH, AND IT'S FOR GOVERNOR VILSACK.  >> Lynch: GOVERNOR, TO BALANCE THE STATEBUDGET THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, THE LEGISLATURE HAS DIPPED INTO SEVERAL FUNDS, THE SENIOR LIVING TRUST, TOBACCO FUNDS. AND THE QUESTION IS HOW SHOULD THOSE FUNDS BE REPAID.  WHEN AND HOW QUICKLY?

 

 Vilsack: WELL, AS I INDICATED BEFORE, WE'RE ENCOURAGED BY THE ECONOMIC NEWS IN THIS STATE, RECORD EMPLOYMENT LEVELS, AN INCREASE IN REVENUES AT THE END OF THE LAST FISCAL YEAR RESULTING INA SURPLUS, AND ALSO INDICATIONS THAT THIS YEAR'S REVENUES ARE STRONG.  THE FACT IS THAT AS REVENUES INCREASE, THE FACT IS THAT WE ARE NOW $60 MILLION BELOW THE BUDGET WHEN I BECAME A GOVERNOR. IF WE GET BACK JUST TO 2001 LEVELS, WHICH I BELIEVE WE CAN AND ARE CAPABLE OF DOING WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN I'VE PUT FORWARD, WE'LL HAVE RESOURCES TO REPAY THOSE FUNDS AND ALSO TO INVEST IN VERY CRITICAL ASPECTS OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE:  OUR SCHOOLS, HEALTH CARE, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

 

 Aune: MR. GROSS.

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, I'M VERY GLAD TO HEAR THAT GOVERNOR VILSACK DOES PLAN TO REPAY THOSE FUNDS THAT WERE ROBBED TO PAY FOR ONGOING STATE OPERATIONS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THE STATE PAYS BACK ALL THE MONEY THAT IT'S BORROWED FROM THOSE FUNDS, LIKE THE SENIOR LIVING TRUST FUND, WHICH WOULD BE ZERO UNDER HIS OWN DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES PROJECTION BY 2005, IF WE PAY THOSE BACK AND PAY FOR ALL THE ONGOINGOBLIGATIONS WE HAVE, WE'RE $1.2 BILLION IN THE HOLE. AND WHEN HE STARTED IN OFFICE, WE HAD $943 MILLION IN THE BANK, AN INCREDIBLE SWING IN THIS BUDGET MISFORTUNE AND MISMANAGEMENT.  YOU KNOW, WE DO NEED TO REPAY THOSE DOLLARS AND WE DO NEED TO RESTORE FISCAL MANAGEMENT TO THE STATE AND YOU NEED TO ELECT A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE TO GET THE JOB DONE.

 

 Aune: THE NEXT QUESTION TONIGHT IS FOR DOUG GROSS FROM GENE LUCHT OF "IOWA FARMER TODAY."

 

 Lucht: IOWA HAS DOZENS OF TAX CREDITS ON THE BOOKS, FROM EVERYTHING FOR FAMILY FARMS TO MASSAGE THERAPISTS.  I GUESS THE QUESTION WOULD BE, IS IT TIME TO TAKE A GOOD CLOSE LOOK AT THOSE AND ELIMINATE SOME AND MORE FULLY FUND OTHERS THAT ARE NOT FULLY FUNDED.

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, THERE'S SOME THAT -- WHO LIKE TO SPEND THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY WHO TALK ABOUT TAX EXPENDITURES AS IF IT'S THE GOVERNMENT'S MONEY, NOT THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.  AND I REJECT THAT NOTION.  THESEARE NOT TAX EXPENDITURES, BECAUSE THESE ARE THE PEOPLE'S MONEY AND GOVERNMENT RECEIVES IT ONLY AT THE PRIVILEGE OF THE PEOPLE. NOW, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE DO NEED TO RESTRUCTURE OUR TAX SYSTEM BECAUSE OUR TAX SYSTEM IS A DRAG ON ECONOMIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT.  BOTH OUR PROPERTY AND OUR INCOME TAX SYSTEMS ARE A MESS AND NEED TO BE RESTRUCTURED SO WE CAN GROW IOWA AGAIN.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. GOVERNOR VILSACK?

 

 Vilsack: WELL, I WOULD AGREE WITH DOUG ON THIS. OUR INCOME TAX SYSTEM ABSOLUTELY NEEDS TO BE SIMPLIFIED.  OUR TOP RATE NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT DOWN. WE CAN DO THAT ELIMINATING FEDERAL DEDUCTIBILITY AND ROLLING IT INTO RATE REDUCTION.  OUR SALES TAX SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE REFORMED AS WELL.  IT'S NOT MODERNIZED. IT'S NOT SET FOR THE INTERNET AGE, AND IT NEEDS TO BE.  AND IT'S TRUE THAT PROPERTY TAXES ABSOLUTELY DO NEED TO BE REFORMED.  WEHAVE TO ASK A CRITICAL QUESTION IN THIS STATE, AND THAT IS WHATSERVICES DO WE WANT PROPERTY TO PAY FOR. NOW, WE STARTED AS A STATE SENATOR -WHEN I WAS A STATE SENATOR, TRYING TO TRANSITION THE PAYMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH COSTS BY THE COUNTY, THAT WERE FULLY FUNDED BY PROPERTY TAXES, ON TO THE STATE.  WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO THAT, AND WE SHOULD ALSO ENGAGE THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN THE FUNDING OF MENTAL HEALTH THROUGH ESTABLISHING MENTAL HEALTH PARITY, WHICH IS AN ISSUE I HOPE WE GET A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT LATER TODAY.

 

 Aune: THIS QUESTION IS FOR THE GOVERNOR. AND I'D LIKE TO GET BACK TO THE ROAD USE TAX FORMULA, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO MANY PARTS OF EASTERN IOWA, ESPECIALLY LINN COUNTY AND CEDAR RAPIDS. AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT ONE OF THE ELECTEDOFFICIALS IN THE CEDAR RAPIDS AREA BROUGHT UP TO ME JUST LAST WEEK. I'M WONDERING IF YOU WOULD SUPPORT - EXCUSE ME, IF YOU WOULD SUPPORT THE STATEALLOWING A LOCAL GASOLINE TAX, THIS PERSON SUGGESTED A PENNY A GALLON, TO HELP LOCAL GOVERNMENTS DEAL WITH THE INEQUITIES OF THE ROAD USE TAX FORMULA.

 

 Vilsack: I REALLY DON'T THINK THAT THAT'S A GOOD IDEA.  I THINK A BETTER IDEA IS TO TAKE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILL AVAIL THEMSELVES OVER TIME AS THAT ROAD FUND GROWS, AS IT HAS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS BY $100 MILLION, TO PROVIDE RESOURCES WHERE THEY'RE NEEDED.  AGAIN, WE HAVE A PLAN, A PLAN TO CONNECT ALL THE COMMERCIAL CENTERS IN THE STATE.  IT'S A GOOD PLAN. WE OUGHT TO STICK WITH THAT PLAN BECAUSE I THINK IT WILL LEAD TO ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.  I THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE IN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. I THINK WE NEED TO EMPOWER LOCAL FOLKS TO MAKE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DECISIONS. I THINK WE NEED TO RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE. I THINK WE NEED TO ENGAGE OURSELVES IN NEW AND EMERGINGINDUSTRIES LIKE BIOECONOMY, RENEWABLE ENERGIES, INTERNETACCESS. ALL OF THESE THINGS WILL HELP GROW THIS ECONOMY AND HELP SUPPORT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR ROAD CONSTRUCTION, AS WELL AS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. MR. GROSS?

 

 Gross: I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE AUTHORIZING LOCAL OPTION ROAD USE TAXES, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE SUFFICIENT FUNDS IF THAT ROAD USE TAX FUND IS NOT RAIDED. AND I HEARD GOVERNOR VILSACK SAY HE DIDN'T WANT TO RAID THE FUND.  BUT THE FACT IS, HE PUSHED THE LEGISLATURE TO TRY TO TAKE $60 MILLION OUT OF THAT FUND. NOW HE'S CHANGED HIS MIND ON THE WAYS IN WHICH HE WANTED TO DO IT SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THAT'S WHAT HE DID.  IF WE DO THAT, ROAD PROJECTS THROUGHOUT OUR STATE, HIGHWAY 20, 218, AVENUE OF THE SAINTS, A NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO OUR STATE, INCLUDING HIGHWAY 30, ARE AT RISK, BECAUSE WE HAVE $400 MILLION IN THAT PRIMARY ROAD FUND AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO RAID IT BECAUSE IT IS CRITICALFOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH OF OUR STATE. LOOK AT WHERE OUR GROWTH CENTERS ARE. THEY'RE AROUND OUR COMMERCIAL HIGHWAY NETWORK, AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS BRING ACCESS TO THAT TO MORE PARTS OF OUR STATE.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. I HAD SAID YOU WOULD HAVE A MOMENT - OR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REBUTTAL, AND HERE'S YOUR CHANCE. WE'VE BEEN TALKING. THESE QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN FOCUSING PRIMARILY ON THE ECONOMY, BUDGET, AND TAXES. AND, GOVERNOR VILSACK, YOU HAVE A MINUTE FOR YOUR INITIAL REBUTTAL.

 

 Vilsack: THANKS, BRUCE. I THINK IT'S TIME THAT WE PUT TO REST THIS ISSUE ABOUT A BILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT. THE FACTS ARE THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A BILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT, WE NEVER HAVE HAD A BILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT, AND WE NEVER WILL HAVE A BILLIONDOLLAR DEFICIT.  WE HAVE BALANCED THE BUDGET EVERY SINGLE YEAR IN THIS STATE. IT'S JUST NOT ME; I'M SURE THAT THE VIEWERS ARE A LITTLECONFUSED BY THIS.  I SAY ONE THING; DOUG SAYS SOMETHING ELSE. RICHARD JOHNSON, THE STATE AUDITOR, HAS SUGGESTED THAT MY OPPONENT'S CLAIMS ARE EXAGGERATED.  DENNIS PROUTY, WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE NONPARTISAN FISCAL BUREAU, HAS SUGGESTED THAT THE ACCUSATIONS AND CLAIMS CONCERNING A DEFICIT ARE INCORRECT. EVEN STEW INVERSON, REPUBLICAN LEADER -- MAJORITY LEADER OF THE SENATE HAS SUGGESTED THAT OUR STATE HAS RESPONDED TO THIS CRISIS IN A FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WAY. THE FACTS ARE THAT WE HAVE $846.3 MILLION IN A VARIETY OF ACCOUNTS AND FUNDS IN THE STATE.  WE HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET AND OUR CREDIT RATING, AS ESTABLISHED BY MOODIES, IS THE SECOND BEST RATING IN THE COUNTRY.  SO, DOUG, IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. WHY DON'T YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOU'RE WRONG, AND LET'S MOVE ON AND TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS STATE.

 

 Aune: MR. GROSS, YOU HAVE A MINUTE TO REBUTT.

 

 Gross:YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR INDICATED EARLIER THAT I HAD A SECRET PLAN TO REORGANIZE GOVERNMENT. IT'S NOT SO SECRET. FRANKLY, THE PLAN IS TO CLEAN UP THE MISMANAGEMENT AND THE MESS THAT'S BEEN CREATED OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS.  THE FACT IS WE HAD $943 MILLION IN THE BANK BOOKED AFTER TAX CUTS. AND TODAY, IF WE DO WHAT THE GOVERNOR SUGGESTED EARLIER AND PAY BACK THOSE FUNDS THAT WERE ROBBED AND PAY ALL THOSE OBLIGATIONS THAT ALREADY EXIST, WITHOUT EVEN GIVING ANOTHER NICKEL TO THE REGENT UNIVERSITIES, FOR EXAMPLE -- THEY WERE GETTING 50-PERCENT TUITION INCREASES -- WE'RE AT $1.179 BILLION IN THE HOLE. NOW, NOBODY SUGGESTS THE STATE IS IN BETTER SHAPE TODAY THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.  WE ALL KNOW, JUST LOOK AROUND YOU, YOU KNOW. VISIT YOUR SCHOOLS. VISIT THE LOCAL DHS INSTITUTIONS.  OUR STATE IS IN A WORLD OF HURT, AND WE NEED A STRONG FISCAL MANAGER BACK IN CHARGE OFSTATE GOVERNMENT.  SEE, THE PROBLEM IS WE HAD 77 DIFFERENT PRIORITIES IN GOVERNOR VILSACK'S FIRST TERM, AND THAT MEANS WE REALLY DON'T HAVE ANY. WE NEED TO PUT THE FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION, NOT JUST WITH OUR WORDS BUT WITH OUR DEEDS. AND IN THAT WAY, EDUCATION WILL GET STRONGER AGAIN AND OUR ECONOMY WILL TOO, SO IT CAN SUPPORT ALL THE INSTITUTIONS AND THE PEOPLE IN NEED.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, DOUG GROSS. OUR NEXT QUESTION TONIGHT FROM JAMES LYNCH FOR THE GOVERNOR.

 

 Lynch: GOVERNOR, ACOUPLE OF YEARS AGO THE LEGISLATURE APPROVED THE VISION IOWA PROGRAM, $300 MILLION TO FINANCE CONSTRUCTION OF MAJOR ATTRACTIONS. NEARLY ALL THAT FUNDING HAS BEEN COMMITTED.  DO YOU SUPPORT ANOTHER ROUND OF FUNDING? HOW MUCH SHOULD BE COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM, AND OVER HOW LONG A PERIOD OF TIME?

 

 Vilsack: JAMES, THAT'S BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS STORY.  WE'VE TAKEN APPROXIMATELY $200 MILLION OF EXCESS GAMING REVENUES AND CHALLENGED LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO SEE IF THEY COULD MATCH THAT TO EXPAND CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. COMMUNITIES HAVE RESPONDED. DUBUQUE HAS SEEN A TREMENDOUS RESURGENCE AND RENAISSANCE IN THEIR CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. COUNCIL BLUFFS, SIOUX CITY HAVE SEEN AN EXPANSION OF CULTURAL AND RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. I THINK WE'VE LEARNED A LESSON. IF WE EMPOWER FOLKS AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, THEY CAN MAKE THINGS WORK. I THINK VISION IOWA NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO ALL 99 COUNTIES, AND I THINK WE NEED TO CHALLENGE FOLKS TO TELL US WHAT THEY WOULD DO TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THEIR COUNTY.  WOULD THEY BUILD A NEW SCHOOL? WOULD THEY BUILD A PARK? WOULD THEY BUILD A RECREATION CENTER?  I THINK IT'S BEEN AN EXTRAORDINARY SUCCESS, AND I THINK IT NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO ALL 99 COUNTIES.

 

Aune:MR. GROSS.

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, WE TRULY NEED A CHANGE IN OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES.  WHAT WE'VE HAD HERE IS RIP VANWINKLE WHO WOKE UP AFTER THREE AND A HALF YEARS, BECAUSE WHAT WE'VE HAD - WE'RE FIFTIETH IN THE COUNTRY IN THE NUMBER OF NEW BUSINESSES THAT STARTED LAST YEAR. FIFTIETH! WE'RE THE ONLY STATE AMONG THE CONTIGUOUS STATES IN THE MIDWEST THAT'S DECLINING IN POPULATION SINCE THE LAST CENSUS.  OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT POLICIES HAVE BEEN A FAILURE, AND THOSE POLICIES SHOULD NOT BE DIRECTED AS TO WHO GETS A GOVERNMENT GRANT, BUT THEY SHOULD BE DESIGNED TO MAKE THE ENTIRE STATE, WHEREVER YOU LIVE, IN ALL CORNERS OF THE STATE, OELWEIN AS WELL AS HAMBURG, ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE, MORE COMPETITIVE SO WE CAN CREATE NEW JOBS. AS I'VE GONE AROUND THE STATE, I'VE VISITED SOME COMMUNITIES THAT HAVEN'T HAD A NEW ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROSPECT IN FOUR YEARS.  OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN CUT BY OVER 30 PERCENT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS ALONE.  WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONSISTENTLY.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR DOUG GROSS FROM GENE LUCHT.

 

 Lucht: WE JUST HEARD THE MENTION OF QUALITY OF LIFE AS PART OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. YET IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, STATE SPENDING ON THE ENVIRONMENT, ON AGRICULTURE, THINGS THAT GO TOWARD AIR AND WATER QUALITY HAS BEEN CUT SOMETHING IN THE RANGE OF 40 PERCENT.  WHAT DO YOU PROPOSE?

 

 Gross: WELL, THE FIRST THING WITH REGARD TO OUR ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS IS WE NEED TO ENFORCE THEM, AND WE NEED TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ENFORCE OUR ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION. CLEAR FOCUS ON THAT NEEDS TO BE IN TERMS OF CLEAN WATER. WE NEED TO HAVE MORE MONITORING OF OUR CLEAN WATERWAYS, AND I THINK THERE'SSOME VOLUNTARY THINGS WE CAN DO TO CERTIFY FARMERS TO HELP THEM ADOPT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES TO IMPROVE THEIR WATERWAYS. THE FIRST THING I DID ON OUR FARM IS PLANT FILTER STRIPS AROUND OUR WATERWAYS. AND IF WE COULD GET ALL FARMERS AROUND IOWA TO DO THAT, WE CAN IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR WATER IMMEASURABLY. YOU KNOW, QUALITY OF LIFE IS IMPORTANT IN IOWA, AND THERE'S LOTS OF THINGS WE NEED TO DO WITH REGARD TO AMENITIES. TRAILS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ARE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. BUT FIRST WE NEED TO GET OUR BUDGET IN ORDER, SO WE CAN MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE PRIORITY AREAS CAN BE FUNDED.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR VILSACK.

 

 Vilsack: IT'S HARD TO LISTEN TO MY OPPONENT TALK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AS THE CHAMPION OF CORPORATE HOG LOTS.  BUT NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE MADE INVESTMENTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT.  UNDER MY STEWARDSHIP, WECREATED THE CLEAN WATER INITIATIVE, WHICH IS PUTTINGMILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE BUFFER STRIPS AND WETLANDS THAT MY OPPONENT JUST REFERRED TO.  IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT, GENE, FOR US TO MAKE A COMMITMENT -- A RENEWED COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT IF WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT UNDER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UNDER THE GROSS PLAN IS TO PROVIDE TAXCREDITS AND TAX GIVEAWAYS TO CORPORATIONS. THAT'S GOING TO REDUCE THE ABILITY OF THIS STATE TO RESPOND TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE STARTED DOWN THE PROCESS OF A COMMITMENT TO THE ENVIRONMENT.  WE NOW HAVE 900 MONITORING STATIONS, WHICH WE DIDN'T HAVE THREE AND A HALF YEARS AGO.

 

 Aune: THIS NEXT QUESTION IS FOR YOU, GOVERNOR. WHEN MANY IOWANS THINK OF OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES TODAY, THE LYRICS OF A PAUL SIMON SONG MAY COME TO MIND, "SLIP SLIDIN' AWAY." WHAT WILL YOU DO IF YOU'RE ELECTED TO A SECOND TERM AS GOVERNOR TO REBUILD RURAL IOWA AND TO REALLY CREATE GOOD PAYING JOBSTO KEEP THESE COMMUNITIES NOT JUST ALIVE BUT HEALTHY?

 

 Vilsack: WE'VE STARTED DOWN THE ROAD TO DOING JUST THAT, BRUCE, WITH EXPANDING ACCESS TO ETHANOL PRODUCTION IN THIS STATE. WE'VE DOUBLED THE NUMBER OF ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITIES, CREATED A MARKET FOR ETHANOL, PROMOTED SOY DIESEL. AND WE'VE ALSO EMBRACED BIOTECHNOLOGY AND ENCOURAGED OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES TO DO THE RESEARCH THAT WILL ALLOW US TO TURN CORN AND BEANS INTO A THOUSAND DIFFERENT WAYS. WE FEED THE WORLD. WE FUEL THE WORLD. WE'LL ALSO CURE IT FROM ILLNESSES AND DISEASES. BUT THAT PROPOSAL IS GOING TO REQUIRE AN INFUSION RIGHT NOW OF RESOURCES TO MAKE THE BIOECONOMY A REALITY IN THE STATE. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR TAX CREDITS. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR CORPORATE GIVEAWAYS TO TAKE EFFECT.  WE HAVE PROPOSED TAKING $50 MILLION FROM THE CAPITAL ACCOUNT AND CREATING A BIOECONOMY IN THIS STATE, WHICH WILL HELP RENEWRURAL IOWA.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. MR. GROSS?

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, FOUR YEARS AGO WE HEARD GOOD TALK, PLEASANT TALK ABOUT HOWWE WERE GOING TO BE FOOD CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND THAT WAS GOING TO REINVIGORATE ALL OF OUR ECONOMIES. YET ARE OUR COUNTY SEATS TRULY BETTER OFF THAN THEY WERE FOUR YEARS AGO?  I SUGGEST NOT. I'VE HAD TOWN MEETINGS IN MANY, MANY OF THEM, AND PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED BECAUSE THE NEXT WAVE OF COMMUNITIES THAT ARE AT RISK OF LOSING THEIR INSTITUTIONS IN THIS STATE ARE OUR COUNTY SEAT TOWNS.  WE NEED A MAJOR EFFORT BY THE GOVERNOR EVERY DAY TO MAKE CERTAIN WE BRING GOOD PAYING JOBS TO THESE COMMUNITIES AGAIN.  HOW DO WE DO IT? WE DO IT BY IMPROVING OUR TAX ANDBUSINESS CLIMATE ALL OVER THIS STATE, THROUGHOUT OUR STATE, AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY EVERYWHERE, REINVIGORATE OUR DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND INVEST IN EDUCATION AND INFRASTRUCTUREFOR ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE. IF WE FOCUS ON THE THINGS WE DO WELL, LIKE ADDING VALUE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, WE CAN GROW AGAIN IN IOWA.

 

 Aune: WE'VE HAD A FEW QUESTIONS NOW BASICALLY FOCUSING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND JOB GROWTH, AND NOW YOU GET A SHORT REBUTTAL PERIOD AGAIN. MR. GROSS, YOU GO FIRST. YOU HAVE A MINUTE.

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, I'VE HEARD THE GOVERNOR CALL ME DIFFERENT NAMES TONIGHT, VARIOUS NAMES.  I'D LIKE TO KEEP US FOCUSED ON THE ISSUES, WHICH IS WHAT ARE SO CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO OUR CITIZENS TONIGHT.  YOU KNOW, IOWA FACES MAJOR CHALLENGES WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. WHEN HALF OF ALL OUR WORKERS MAKE $12 AN HOUR OR LESS AND OUR PER CAPITA INCOME IS GROWING MORE SLOWLY THAN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION AND WE'RE LOSING TAXPAYING FAMILIES EVERY DAY TO OTHER STATES, WE NEED CHANGE. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTAGAIN THAT FOCUSES ON THE THINGSWE DO BEST LIKE AGRICULTURE AND ADDING VALUE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, THINGS LIKE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND INSURANCE, AND THINGS LIKE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING FACILITIES. YOU KNOW, IF YOU JUST DO BETTER THE THINGS WE DO WELL IN IOWA AND THEN WHEN WE MARKET -- PROMOTE OUR STATE TO EVERYONE THROUGHOUT THE WORLD, WE WILL GROW AGAIN. OTHERS HAVE ADOPTED THAT FORMULA AND THEY HAVE GROWN. THEY'VE INCREASED THEIR INCOMES. AND WHAT I WANT TO DO AS GOVERNOR IS INCREASE THE INCOMES OF FAMILIES THROUGHOUT OUR STATE.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. GOVERNOR VILSACK.

 

 Vilsack: WELL, THE TRUTH AND THE FACTS ARE THAT WE'VE EXPANDED THE WORK FORCE, WE HAVE RECORD EMPLOYMENT LEVELS, AND WE'VE ALSO IMPROVED FAMILY INCOME IN THIS STATE.  WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT. WE'VE PUT FORWARD A SPECIFIC PLAN TO DO JUST THAT.  WE WANT THIS STATE TO BE A NET EXPORTER OF ENERGY. WE WANT TO PROMOTE RENEWABLE ENERGIES WITH A GRANT THAT WILL ALLOW US TO HAVE WIND FARMS, BIOMASS OPERATIONS ACROSS THE STATE, BECAUSE WE'VE ENCOURAGED OUR ENERGY COMPANIES TO PRODUCE ENERGY THAT WILL ALLOW US TO BE SELFSUFFICIENT. WE WANT TO CONNECT EVERY SINGLE PART OF IOWA TO THE REST OF THE WORLD THROUGH THE USE OF THE INTERNET.  WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT, TO BUILD ON THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ALLIANCE THAT WAS ESTABLISHED JUST A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE PRODUCTIVITY GRANTS TO EXISTING BUSINESSESTO ENCOURAGE THEM TO BE MORE PRODUCTIVE, AND WE CAN EMBRACE THE BIOECONOMY LINKING OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES WITH OUR FARMERS WITH PROCESSING OPPORTUNITIES, EXPANDING ON WHAT WE'VE ALREADY DONE WITH ETHANOL, SOY DIESEL, AND SOME OF THE OTHER ASPECTS OF VALUEADDEDAGRICULTURE. THIS IS AN EXTRAORDINARILY IMPORTANT TIME. AND CANDIDLY, WE'RE NOT GOING TO GET THERE IF WE HAVE CORPORATE TAX GIVEAWAYS AND TAX CREDITS WHICH WILL ROB US OF THE ABILITY TO DO THIS.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.  MOVING BACK TO THE QUESTIONS AGAIN, JAMES LYNCH. THIS IS FOR DOUG GROSS.

 

 Lynch: BOTH OF YOU JUST TALKED A MINUTE AGO ABOUT PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT. AND, MR. GROSS, I WANT TO ASK YOU IF YOU SUPPORT THE NEW MATRIX PROPOSED FOR DEALING WITH LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT FACILITIES AND CAN THE STATE RUN THAT PROGRAM ON THE BUDGET THAT'S BEEN PROVIDED.

 

 Gross: NO, I DON'T SUPPORT THAT APPROACH. YOU KNOW, IF I WERE ELECTED GOVERNOR, WHAT I WOULD DO IS I'D BRING TOGETHER THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND THE LOCAL OFFICIALS AND THE PORK PRODUCERS' ORGANIZATIONS AND I'D BRING THEM TOGETHER TO WORK OUT A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM THAT WILL LAST LONG TERM.  YOUKNOW, WE ALL KNOW - WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, WE RAISED HOGS.  WE KNOW THAT HOGS SMELL AND A LOT OF HOGS TOGETHER SMELL EVEN MORE. AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WORK OUT A SITING SITUATION LIKE THEY DID UP IN PALO ALTO COUNTY WHERE THEY GOT EVERYBODY TOGETHER, DEVELOPED THE RULES IN ADVANCE SO THAT PRODUCERS KNEW WHAT THE RULES WERE, AND THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS AND THE LOCAL OFFICIALS MADE CERTAIN THAT SENSITIVE AREAS WERE PROTECTED. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IT'S JUST COMMON SENSE AND WE NEED TO APPLY COMMON SENSE TO THIS IN IOWA AND WE NEED TO DO IT SOON.  OTHERWISE ALL WE'RE GOING TO DO IS INSTITUTIONALIZE CONFLICT ALL ACROSS RURAL IOWA AND HURT THE ABILITY OF A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE TO GET INTO AGRICULTURE.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR?

 

 Vilsack: THE MATRIX IS CERTAINLY ANIMPROVEMENT UNDER THE OLD LAW. IT GIVES OPPORTUNITY FORLOCAL COMMUNITIES TO HAVE INPUT AND SAY.  THE LEGISLATURE HAS APPROPRIATED ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR ADDITIONAL STAFF.  IT WILL BE DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE TO FUND THIS ADDITIONAL STAFF PERSONNEL IF MY OPPONENT'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN SUCH AS WE KNOW IT WITH TAX CREDITS IS ENACTED AND TAKES RESOURCES AWAY FROM THAT EFFORT. THE FACT IS THAT MY OPPONENT WAS RESPONSIBLE IN PART FOR ADVOCATING FOR CORPORATE HOG LOTS.  WHEN AN INDIVIDUAL ATTEMPTED TO TRY TO RESPOND TO CONCERNS THAT SHE HAD, REBECCA COLE, ABOUTHIS ACTIONS, HE THREATENED HER WITH A LAWSUIT. THAT'S NOT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER, DOUG.  THAT'S NOT BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AT ALL. THAT'S BASICALLY ADDING FUEL TO THE FIRE. THE MATRIX IS AN ATTEMPT, A PROCESS. MY HOPE IS THAT IT WORKS.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR.  GENE, YOUR QUESTION FOR GOVERNOR VILSACK.

 

 Lucht: GOVERNOR, AS THE SUBURBS IN THIS STATE GROW AND SOME OFOUR FARMLAND GETS PAVED OVER, ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT HAS COME UP IS THAT OF URBAN SPRAWL. AND ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK AT SOME OF THESE SITUATIONS, IT'S BEEN BLAMED FOR EVERYTHING FROM INCREASED FLOODING AS THE WATER RUNS OFF THE PAVEMENT, MORE CHEMICALS RUNNING INTO THE STREAMS, ETC. WHAT SHOULD THE STATE DO ABOUT THAT?

 

 Vilsack: WELL, GENE, FIRST OF ALL, WE PROPOSED TO THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE A SERIES OF LAND USE PRINCIPLES, WHICH THEY DID NOT ENACT, PATTERNED AFTER WHAT MINNESOTA DID, THAT WOULD PROVIDE US SOME DIRECTION IN THIS REGARD.  IN THE MEANTIME, WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE OUR PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM. WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE, THERE WERE LITERALLY NO MONITORING PROGRAMS ATALL IN THIS STATE.  WE NOW HAVE OVER 900 MONITORING SITES.  WE DIDN'T HAVE A PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION PROGRAM. WE HAVE EXPANDED IT TREMENDOUSLY AND WE'VE ALSO ADVOCATED FOR IT ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, AND I THINK IOWANS CAN TAKE CREDIT IN PART FOR INCLUSION OF PRIVATE LAND CONSERVATION, BUFFER STRIPINITIATIVESALIKE IN THE FARM BILL, WHICH WILL ADD MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF OPPORTUNITY TO RURAL COMMUNITIES AND AT THE SAME TIME PROTECT AND PRESERVE OUR ENVIRONMENT.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. AND, MR. GROSS, YOUR RESPONSE.

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, THOSE WHO KNOW ME WELL KNOW HOW COMMITTED I AM TO CONSERVATION AND GOOD LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES. WE DO NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR CITIZENS RESPECT THAT, AND THEY DO.  OUR FARMERS ARE SOME OF OUR BEST LAND STEWARDS.  BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE NEED TO DO, GO TO OELWEIN OR GO TO HAMBURG OR GO TO KEOKUK LIKE I DID AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT URBAN SPRAWL, AND THEY'LL TELL YOU THEY HAVEN'T SEEN ANY SPRAWL BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T SEEN GROWTH.  THEY WANT TO SEE GROWTH IN IOWA AGAIN. THEY WANT TO SEE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GOOD PAYING JOBS IN THEIR PART OF THE STATE AGAIN. OUR STATE NEEDS TO FOCUS ON THAT LIKE NEVER BEFORE. AND WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER IN IOWA ON THAT, AND WE NEED A CHANGE IF WE'RE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.

 

 Aune: THIS QUESTION IS FOR DOUG GROSS. ACTUALLY IT'S TO BOTH OF YOU BUT YOU GET TO RESPOND FIRST.

 

 Gross: I CAN GO FIRST.

 

 Aune: YOU'RE BOTH SUCCESSFUL LAWYERS. WILL IOWA'S PRESENT NUISANCE PROTECTION LAW FOR FARMERS STAND UP TO A COURT CHALLENGE?   >> Gross: WELL, THE NUISANCE PROTECTION LAW, WHICH I BELIEVE GOVERNOR VILSACK HAD A HAND IN DRAFTING AND HOUSE FILE 519, IS A SERIOUS CONCERN BECAUSE THE NUISANCE PROTECTIONS RELATED TO AG ENTERPRISE ZONES WAS STRUCK DOWN BY THE IOWA SUPREME COURT AS UNCONSTITUTIONAL. SO EFFECTIVELY, I SUSPECT THOSE KINDS OF NUISANCE PROTECTIONS ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE.  WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN IOWA, AS I SAID EARLIER, IS INSTEAD OF NAMECALLING AND NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING AROUND THE NUMBER ONE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY IN THE STATE THAT PRODUCES MORE INCOME TO IOWANS AND AGRICULTURE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, INSTEAD OF NAME CALLING WITH REGARD TO THAT, WE NEED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, SIT PEOPLE DOWN, AND WORK OUT A COMMON-SENSE SOLUTION. AND IT'S NEEDED VERY, VERY SOON, OTHERWISE WE'RE GOING TO LOSE THE INDUSTRY, AND AT THE SAME TIME WE'RE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE LEGITIMATE PROBLEMS THAT PEOPLE WHO CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE.   >> Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR? 

 

 Governor: I'M NOT SURE THAT IT WILL WITHSTAND A COURT CHALLENGE, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THE LEGISLATURE DISCUSSED THE MATRIX AND ESTABLISHED THE MATRIX IN RESPONSE TO THAT.  THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ASPECTS OF THAT LAW THAT ARE IMPORTANT. THERE'S THE PHOSPHOROUS INDEX AND THERE'S ALSO AIR QUALITY STANDARDS WHICH WILL BE ESTABLISHED, WHICH I THINK ARE IMPORTANT FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.   I BELIEVE THAT WENEED TO BE CONCENTRATING NOT JUST ON THE ISSUES INVOLVING ENVIRONMENT, BUT ALSO AS PORK PRODUCERS STRUGGLE WITH LOW PRICES. THAT'S WHY I HAVE ADVOCATED TO GROCERY STORES TOSELL MORE PORK AT DISCOUNT PRICES IN ORDER TO MOVE THE PORK THROUGH THE CHAIN TO INCREASE THOSE PRICES.   OUR PORK FARMERS ARE IN TROUBLE, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.   AND WE NEED TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN AS LEADERS TO ENCOURAGE THE CITIZENS OF THIS STATE TO CONSUME PORK, ENCOURAGE THE GROCERS TO SELL MORE PORK, AND TO HAVE OUR PRODUCERS SELL IT AT SLIGHTLY LIGHTER WEIGHTS. >> Aune: THE LAST FEW QUESTIONS, UNFORTUNATELY, WE GO FOR QUITE A WHILE ON AGRICULTURE, BUT THEY'VE BEEN FOCUSING ON AGRICULTURE. AND NOW YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO -- FOR A REBUTTAL AGAIN. GOVERNOR VILSACK, YOU'RE FIRST.

 

 Vilsack: I WAS IN COON RAPIDS NOT TOO LONG AGO AT THE TALL CORN ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITY THAT WAS JUST OPENING UP.  I LOOKED INTO THE EYES OF THE FARMERS WHO ARE THE OWNERS OF THAT PRODUCTION FACILITY AND I SAW THE FUTURE. I SAW A GROUP OF COMMITTED, DEDICATED, PROUD INDIVIDUALS WHO KNOW THAT THEY ARE THE BEST PRODUCERS IN THE WORLD AND NOW WILL PRODUCE A FUEL THAT WILL ALLOW US TO BECOME ENERGY INDEPENDENT. AS WE DEAL WITH DIFFICULT ISSUES IN THE MIDDLE EAST, IOWA CAN HELP LEAD THIS COUNTRY TO ENERGY INDEPENDENCE, AND THE FARMERS AT THE TALL CORN ETHANOL PRODUCTION FACILITY ARE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CAN DO. WE'VE ALSO, IN THIS ADMINISTRATION, PROMOTED THE USE OF SOY DIESEL, AND WE ARE AGAIN EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECTS OF BEING ABLE TO FIND CURES FOR ILLNESS AND DISEASE. NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE, THERE'S AN ACRE OF CORN THAT IS BEING GROWN. WHEN IT IS HARVESTED AND PROCESSED, IT WILLBE USED AS A TREATMENT FOR CYSTIC FIBROSIS. WHAT AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE LINKING OUR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, OUR GREAT PRODUCERS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS WHAT VENTURE CAPITAL IS ABOUT. WE'VE TRIED FOR YEARS AND YEARS; WE'VE FINALLY SUCCEEDED IN GETTING FOUR DIFFERENT VENTURE CAPITAL PROPOSALS PASSEDTHIS YEAR.  >> Aune: THANK YOU. MR. GROSS. 

 

 Gross: WHEN IT COMES TO AGRICULTURE AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT, WE NEED CHANGE BECAUSE WE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN WE DO TODAY. NOW, I TOOK A LOOK AT GOVERNOR'S ETHANOL CLAIMS.  EVEN WITH WHAT HE'S SUGGESTING IS ON LINE, EACH THOSE THAT AREN'T BUILT YET, WE STILL WON'T EQUAL WHAT'S GOING TO BE PRODUCED IN MINNESOTA, SOUTH DAKOTA, OR NEBRASKA, ANY OF THOSE STATES INDIVIDUALLY. WHY?   BECAUSE IOWA DOESN'T PROVIDE THE KIND OF TAX CLIMATE FOR THOSE FACILITIES THAT OTHER STATES DO.   AND THE GOVERNOR TALKS ABOUT TAX GIVEAWAYS, CORPORATE TAX CREDITS THAT I SUGGESTED. YOU KNOW WHAT I'VE TALKED ABOUT?  I'VE TALKED ABOUT PROVIDING A PRODUCTION TAX INCENTIVE FOR ETHANOL PRODUCERS, FOR FARMERS WHO INVEST THEIR OWN MONEY IN THESE FACILITIES SO WE CAN COMPETE WITH OTHER STATES AND TRULY BE THE LEADER IN ETHANOL PRODUCTION. NOW, IS THAT A TAX GIVEAWAY?  THAT'S AN INVESTMENT IN THE FUTURE OF IOWA, AND WE OUGHT TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT BECAUSE WE NEED CHANGE SOON IN RURAL IOWA OR THERE WILL BE NO TURNING BACK.  >> Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS.  THE NEXT QUESTION FROM JAMES LYNCH IS FOR GOVERNOR VILSACK.

 

 Lynch: GOVERNOR, IN-STATE UNDERGRADUATE TUITION AT THE REGENT UNIVERSITIES NOW AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 42 PERCENT OF THEIR EDUCATIONAL REVENUES. AND AS MR. GROSS SUGGESTED EARLIER, TUITION IS RISING AT ABOUT 50 PERCENT OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS. TOWHAT EXTENT SHOULD THE STATE UNDERWRITE INSTATE UNDERGRADUATE TUITION, AND AT WHAT POINT DO THE RISING TUITIONBECOME DENIAL OF ACCESS TO REGENT INSTITUTIONS FOR LOWAND MODERATE-INCOME IOWANS?  >> Vilsack: JAMES, I DON'T SUPPORT THE RECENT ACTION TAKEN BY THE REGENTSTO INCREASE TUITIONS ONE MORE TIME. THE FACT IS THAT OUR TUITIONS ARE STILL AMONG THE LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY IN RESPECTIVE CONFERENCES AND WE HAVE RECORD ENROLLMENTS, BUT WE HAVE NOW PUT THE SITUATION BEFORE STUDENTS, WHERE THEY MAY HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME ACCESSING HIGHER EDUCATION. THAT SHOULD NEVER OCCUR IN THIS STATE.  THE STATE NEEDS TO BE A PARTNER. AND, CANDIDLY, IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR CORPORATIONS, IT'S GOING TO BE VERY DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES TO DO THAT. WE BELIEVE THAT IT'S TIME FOR THE STATE TO STEP FORWARD AND FOCUS NOT JUST ON THE UNIVERSITIES, BUT ALSO ON THE STUDENTS, WHICH IS WHY WE HAVE PROPOSED A LOW-INTEREST COLLEGE LOAN PROGRAM TO ASSIST STUDENTS WITH THE HIGH DEBT THAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY INCURRING.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. MR. GROSS?

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE CREDIT FOR THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING, YOU ALSO HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BAD IN YOURADMINISTRATION. THE BAD THING IS THIS. REGENT UNIVERSITIES IN IOWA HAVE HAD THEIR STATE APPROPRIATIONS CUT AS MUCH OR MORE THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. AND THEIR TUITIONS ARE RISING FASTER THAN ALMOST EVERY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY, 50 PERCENT IN THREE YEARS. NOW, IF I'MELECTED GOVERNOR, WHAT I WANT TO DO IS IF YOU GO TO SCHOOL AND YOU'RE A FRESHMAN, YOURTUITION OUGHT TO BE GUARANTEED TO RISE NO MORE THAN THE RATE OF INFLATION EVERY YEAR SO YOU DON'T HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO YOUAGAIN. GOVERNOR, YOU PROPOSED UP TO A 7PERCENT CUT IN REGENT INSTITUTIONS. THAT'S ONLY THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURETHAT PREVENTED THAT FROM HAPPENING. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIGGER CUT THAN ACTUALLY OCCURRED. GOVERNOR, YOU HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITIES FOR YOUR ADMINISTRATION'S ACTIONS.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS.   THIS QUESTION FROM GENE LUCHT IS FOR DOUG GROSS.

 

 Lucht: MR. GROSS, THE IOWA FARM BUREAU AND SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE PUSHED THE IDEA OF TAKING THE STATE'S LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX AND MAKING IT A STATEWIDE SALES TAX INCREASE, PUTTING THAT MONEY TOWARD SCHOOLS FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF. YOUR COMMENTS.

 

 Gross: I DON'T FAVOR A STATEWIDE SALES TAX INCREASE, BUT I DO THINK THAT WE'VE GOT A SERIOUS INEQUITY PROBLEM BETWEEN RURAL SCHOOLS AND URBAN SCHOOLS. OUR GOAL WITH REGARD TO EDUCATION OUGHT TO BE TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE, NO MATTER WHERE THEY LIVE, HAS EQUAL ACCESS TO A QUALITY, WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION.   AND WHEN THE URBAN DISTRICTS HAVE BETTER OPPORTUNITY WITH LOCAL OPTION SALES TAXTHAN THE RURAL DOES, THEN SOMETHING IS WRONG. WHAT I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO IS TAKE THAT INFRASTRUCTURE FUND THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS WANTED TO ROB FOR VARIOUS THINGS AND USE THAT MORE AGGRESSIVELY TO HELP EQUALIZE THE BURDEN BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOLS SO RURAL SCHOOLS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PREPARE THEIR BUILDINGS AND TO PROVIDE A HIGH-QUALITY EDUCATION FOR THEIR KIDS TOO.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU.

 

 Vilsack: GENE, I DON'T SUPPORT THE EXTENSION OF THAT LOCAL OPTION TAX, BUT I DO SUPPORT ANEXTENSION OF VISION IOWA, WHICH COULD GET RESOURCES TO BUILD NEW FACILITIES IN RURAL COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO SUPPORT AND HAVE OUTLINED A PROGRAM CALLED A VIRTUAL ACADEMY, WHICH WILL ALLOW SCHOOLS IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ACCESS TO ONLINE COURSES SO THAT THEY CAN EXPAND TREMENDOUSLY THE COURSE SELECTION FOR THEIR YOUNG PEOPLE. WE'RE ALSO PROPOSING -- SUGGESTING A SERIES OF REGIONAL ACADEMIES WHERE SCHOOLS WILL COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER -COMMUNITY COLLEGES, PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, AND PRIVATE COLLEGES - SO OUR YOUNGSTERS CAN ACCESS A.P. COURSES, ACCESS COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES. AGAIN, THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE, WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR CORPORATIONS OR TAX BREAKS FOR CORPORATIONS, YOU'RE TAKING THE MONEY AWAY THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE TO UNIVERSITIES. YOU JUST CAN'T HAVE ITBOTH WAYS, DOUG.  YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS; YOU KNOW THAT. YOU KNOW THAT.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU.  YOU MENTIONED COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND IOWA HAS ONE OF THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE, HIGHLY RECOGNIZED, AND EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEMS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES HAVE SHOWN PHENOMENAL GROWTH AND, YET, STATE SUPPORT OF THE SYSTEM HAS DROPPED DRAMATICALLY. THESE SCHOOLS THAT HAVE BEEN SO AFFORDABLE FOR SO MANY ARE NOW DEPENDING MORE AND MORE ON RISING TUITION COSTS, AND THAT COULD MAKE THEM UNAFFORDABLE FOR MANY PEOPLE.  WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO REMEDY THIS LONGTERM CYCLE OF INADEQUATE STATE FUNDING FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM? THIS IS TO YOU, GOVERNOR.  >> Vilsack: LET ME, FIRST OF ALL, CORRECT THE RECORD SO THAT EVERYONE IN THE STATE OF IOWA UNDERSTANDS THAT WE ARE FIFTH OR SIXTH IN THE COUNTRY IN PER CAPITA SPENDING IN SUPPORT FOR HIGHEREDUCATION.  HAVING SAID THAT, WE DO HAVE TUITIONS AT COMMUNITY COLLEGES THAT ARE AMONG THE NATION'S HIGHEST.  THE STATE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER PARTNER. AND WE PROPOSE AS THE REVENUES ENHANCE AND INCREASE AND PROSPERITY RETURNS TO THE STATE, BEFORE WE GIVE ANY ADDITIONAL TAX BREAKS TO ANY CORPORATIONS OR ANYONE ELSE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REPAY THOSE CRITICAL ASPECTS OF OUR ECONOMY. THECOMMUNITY COLLEGES PLAY AN INTEGRAL ROLE WITH REGIONAL ACADEMIES, AN INTEGRAL ROLE WITH VOCATIONAL TRAINING, AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN PROVIDING AFFORDABLE EDUCATION FOR THOSE WHO WANT AFOUR-YEAR PROGRAM.  SO WE NEED TO BE A BETTER PARTNER, NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. AND WE PROPOSED, IN SEVERAL INSTANCES THIS YEAR, OPPORTUNITIES TO RESTORE SOME OF THE FUNDING CUTS. BUT, CANDIDLY, THE REPUBLICAN LEGISLATURE DID NOT SUPPORT IT.  >> Aune: THANK YOU. MR. GROSS?

 

 Gross: WELL, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES PLAY A CRITICAL ROLE IN THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF OUR STATE. BUT, YOU KNOW, FOUR YEARS AGO GOVERNOR VILSACK SAID ALMOST THE SAME THING. IN FACT, HE PROPOSED FREEZING COMMUNITY COLLEGE TUITIONS AND PROVIDING THEM WITH MORE MONEY. AND WHAT HAVE WE HAD? DOUBLE-DIGIT INCREASES IN TUITION ALMOST EVERY YEAR, WHERE NOW WE HAVE TUITIONS THAT ARE 50 PERCENT GREATER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AT OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS A SINGLE MOTHER WITH A COUPLE OF CHILDREN WHO WANTS TO IMPROVE HER LIFE BY GETTING A COMMUNITY COLLEGE DEGREE HAS BEEN PRICED OUT OF THE ABILITY TO IMPROVE HER LIFE.  NOW, WE NEED TO TRULY, INDEED, AND NOT JUST IN WORD, MAKE EDUCATION A PRIORITY.  IF YOU LOOK AT THE SPENDINGHABITS OF THE VILSACK ADMINISTRATION, YOU'LL FIND IT'S A THIRD-TIER PRIORITY, NOT FIRST-TIER.  WE NEED TO MAKE IT FIRST-TIER PRIORITY AGAIN.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS.  NOW WE'VE REACHED ANOTHER ONE OF THESE REBUTTAL PERIODS AFTER A FEW QUESTIONS ON EDUCATION.  DOUG GROSS, YOU HAVE A MINUTE TO RESPOND.  >> Gross: YOU KNOW, I WOULDN'T BE STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU TONIGHT AS A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR FROM MY BEGINNINGS IF I HAD NOT HAD GOOD TEACHERS, TEACHERS WHO'VE MADE ME BELIEVE THAT I COULD BE MORE THAN I WAS, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE A LOT GROWING UP.   YOU KNOW, I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN -I WANT TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT EVERY CHILD IN IOWA HAS THAT SAME OPPORTUNITY TO BE MORE THAN THEY ARE AT THE TIME, AND A GOOD TEACHER IS WHAT THAT'S ALL ABOUT AND AN EDUCATION IS A TICKET TO OPPORTUNITY.  BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING?  WE'RE PROMISING PERFORMANCEBASED PAY FOR TEACHERS. WE'RE INCREASING THEIR PAY, YET OUR NATIONAL RANKING HAS SLIPPED DURING THIS ADMINISTRATION.   WHAT HAVE WE DONE? WE PROMISED TUITION FREEZES AND REASONABLE COSTS, AND IT'S GONE UP BY RECORD AMOUNTS IN THE HISTORY OF OUR STATE, 50 PERCENT IN THREE YEARS. WE'RE DENYING ACCESS TO EDUCATION FOR PEOPLE WHO NEED IT DESPERATELY. AND IF WE DON'T PROVIDE THAT EDUCATION IN IOWA, THEN WHEREARE THEY GOING TO BE LEFT: TO OUR CORRECTIONAL SYSTEM; TO OUR HUMAN SERVICES SYSTEMS, BOTH THAT ARE STRETCHED TO THE BREAKING POINT. EDUCATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN IOWA, AND IT SHOULD BE. AND WE NEED A GOVERNOR THAT WILL TRULY MAKE IT OUR TOP PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES FUNDING TIME.  >> Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR.  >> Vilsack: I AM PROUD OF OUR EDUCATION RECORD. IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, WHEN OTHER STATES ARE CUTTING FUNDING TO K-12, WE INCREASED IT. IN TOUGH ECONOMIC TIMES, WE CREATED A TEACHER QUALITY INITIATIVE THAT IS IN FACT RAISING TEACHING SALARIES, DOUG.  WE HAD A SLOW DEATH MARCH IN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION, DOWN THE STATES. WE'RE NOW GOING UP IN AVERAGE TEACHING SALARY.   WE ALSO COMMITTED RESOURCES TO CLASS SIZE REDUCTION. THE RESULT WAS TEST SCORES GOING UP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN TEN YEARS, WHICH MEANS WE HAVE A WHOLE GENERATION OF BETTER LEARNERS COMING THROUGH THE PROCESS. THERE'S MORE TO DO. THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR REGIONAL ACADEMIES AND VIRTUAL ACADEMIES, RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND OUR K-12 SYSTEM THAT EXPANDS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO YOUNG PEOPLE.   BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT IF WE CONTINUALLY TAKE RESOURCES AWAY FROM THE GENERAL FUND AS MYOPPONENT PROPOSES. WE'RE NOT GOING TO GROW THE ECONOMY WITH TAX CREDITS. WE'RE GOING TO GROW THE ECONOMY BY PROVIDING RESOURCES TO BUILD BUSINESSES TODAY, NOT HAVING TO WAIT YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. AND WE'RE MOVING INTO OUR FINAL SECTION OF QUESTIONS NOW.   WE'RE GOING TO HOPEFULLY SQUEEZE IN AS MANY AS WE CAN. JAMES, YOUR QUESTION FOR DOUG GROSS. >> Lynch: MR. GROSS, THE IOWA SUPREME COURT IS BEING ASKED TO DECIDE A REQUEST BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO VIEW PATIENT RECORDS OF A PLANNED PARENTHOOD CLINIC IN NORTHWEST IOWA.  REGARDLESS OF THE OUTCOME OF THAT CASE, IT'S LIKELY - THE ISSUE IS LIKELY TO END UP IN THE LEGISLATURE.   WHERE DO YOU DRAW THE LINE WHEN IT COMES TO ACCESS TO PRIVATE MEDICAL RECORDS?   >> Gross: FRANKLY, JAMES, I WOULD WAITTO SEE WHAT THE SUPREME COURT ACTUALLY DECIDES WITH REGARDS TO THAT CASE SO WE SEE WHAT KIND OF LEGAL OPTIONS ACTUALLY EXIST, AND I'LL BE AWAITING THE RESULT OF THAT. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE RESPECT THE SUPREME COURT'S DECISION WITH REGARD TO THIS. OBVIOUSLY WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE ARE CONTENTIONS BETWEEN CONFIDENTIALITY AND THE DESIRES OF A PROSECUTOR TO SOLVE A HEINOUS CRIME. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE A SUPREME COURT, TO RESOLVE THOSE ISSUES FROM A LEGALSTANDPOINT. WE'LL REVIEW THOSE AND, BASED UPON THAT, MAKE A DECISION WHETHER OR NOT LEGISLATION IS NECESSARY.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR?

 

 Vilsack: I FULLY APPRECIATE THE NATURE OF THAT CRIME AND THE DESIRE TO CATCH THE PERSON OR PERSONS RESPONSIBLE BUT, CANDIDLY, I DON'T THINK WE CAN TRAMPLE ON THE RIGHTS -- PRIVACY RIGHTS OF LITERALLY HUNDREDS, AND PERHAPS MORE, WOMEN. YOU CAN'T WAFFLE ON THIS ISSUE. YOU CAN'T WAIT FOR THE COURTS TO DECIDE. YOU'RE EITHER ON ONE SIDE OR THE OTHER.  DOUG, ON THIS ISSUE, YOU'VE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OR TRIED TO HAVE BOTH SIDES, TELLING "IOWA PRESS" MIKE GLOVER ONE THING, TELLING THE CHRISTIAN COALITION SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT. YOU CAN'T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS.  THE PRIVACY NEEDS TO BE PROTECTED.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU.  THE NEXT QUESTION FROM GENE LUCHT IS FOR THE GOVERNOR.

 

 Lucht: GOVERNOR, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THE SIZE OF GOVERNMENT.  SIMPLE QUESTION: DOES IOWA NEED 99 COUNTIES?  >> Vilsack: WE HAVE PUT INTO PLACE, WITH GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION, THE REORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES REORGANIZATION, AND A SERIES OF PROPOSALS ON ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT TO REGIONALIZE ECONOMICDEVELOPMENT DECISION, WHICH WE THINK PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE STATE OF IOWA TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REGIONALIZE OUR APPROACH TO THINGS. NOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT THE ISSUE OF WHETHER WE HAVE 99 COUNTIES OR NOT IS THE RELEVANT QUESTION. THE RELEVANT QUESTION IS HOW DO WE EMPOWER PEOPLE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THEMSELVES. MY OPPONENT WANTS TO PUT THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IN CHARGE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HAVE HER MAKE THE DECISIONS. IT WILL POLITICIZE THE DEPARTMENT. MY VIEW IS WE NEED TO EMPOWER LOCAL CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICIALS TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. THE REGIONAL APPROACH WILL WORK AND IT HAS WORKED.  >> Aune: THANK YOU. DOUGGROSS?   >> Gross: WELL, WHAT WE NEED TO DO FIRST IS FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND GROWTH AGAIN. NOW, I DON'T ACCEPT THE NOTION THAT SOMEHOW THE GREAT SCHOOLS, THE GREAT INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE IN THE RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE IS A LIABILITY.   WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT AS AN ASSET.   THESE ARE THINGS THAT OTHER COMMUNITIES WOULD DIE FOR IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GROW THEIR COMMUNITIES IN THE FUTURE, AND WE NEED TO LOOK AT IT THAT WAY BY BRINGING GROWTH AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE. YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO BE A GOVERNOR OFA TRIAGE WARD. I WANT TO BE A GOVERNOR OF A GROWING STATE, WHERE ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE SHARE IN GROWTH AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. AND THAT'S THE FOCUS WE OUGHT TO HAVE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO SHUT DOWN IN IOWA. WITH REGARD TO MANAGEMENT OF STATE GOVERNMENT AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, I THINK THE FIRST JOB OF A GOVERNOR IS CLEAN UP THE MESS IN STATE GOVERNMENT. CLEAN UP THE MISMANAGEMENT THERE FIRST. CLEAN UP OUR KITCHEN BEFORE WE TELL OTHER PEOPLE WHAT TO DO WITH THEIR PANTRIES.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. AND THIS QUESTION IS TO YOU.  HOW SPECIFICALLY WOULD YOU AS GOVERNOR WORK TO HELP OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND OUR STATE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ACHIEVE PARITY OR AT LEAST MORE EQUITABLE MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR IOWA?   >> Gross: IT IS THE NUMBER ONE HEALTH CARE ISSUE IN THE STATE OF IOWA. YOU KNOW, IOWA IS FIFTIETH IN THE COUNTRY IN MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENT, HAS BEEN FOR YEARS, SINCE THE EARLY 1980S.   WE GET ALMOST HALF OF WHAT THE AVERAGE OR MEDIAN ISIN THE UNITED STATES. AND WHEN WE HAVE A POPULATION AS OLD AS IOWA, THAT MEANS THAT OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS ARE GETTING PAID FAR, FAR LESS THAN WHAT THEY COULD IF THEY JUST MOVED ACROSS THE RIVER OR ACROSS THE BORDER. IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE:NOW, A GOVERNOR CAN DO ANYTHING HE WANTS; HE JUST CAN'T DO EVERYTHING HE WANTS. INCREASING THE MEDICARE COST REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM FOR IOWA WOULD BE ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT I WOULD FOCUS ON WITH WASHINGTON, D.C. AND, FRANKLY, I'D RAISE CANE UNTIL WE GOT IT SOLVED. JUST HAVING PETITION DRIVES OR THREATENING LAWSUITS WENT TO GETTING US THREE YEARS OF LITIGATION AND PAYING A LOT OF LAWYERS' FEES, BUT WE NEED TO CREATE POLITICAL HEAT RIGHT AWAY AND CONSISTENTLY TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR?   >> Vilsack: WE'VE BEEN FIFTIETH SINCE THE EARLY 1980S. DOUG, YOU WERE CHIEF OF STAFF DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, AND WE DIDN'T HEAR FROM YOU ON THIS ISSUE. I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE JOINING WITH US NOW TO ARTICULATE THE NEEDFOR FAIRNESS IN REIMBURSEMENT LEVELS IN THIS STATE. CANDIDLY, WE NEED TWO STRATEGIES. A POLITICAL TRAGEDY TO SUPPORT OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. TOMORROW THEY'LL RECEIVE A LETTER SIGNED BY 20 GOVERNORS, WHICH I INSTITUTED, ASKING FOR FAIR A REIMBURSEMENT SYSTEM. BUT WE, CANDIDLY, ALSO NEED TO PUT PRESSURE ON WASHINGTON, D.C., AND THE WAY YOU DO THAT IS BY ASKING THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS AN UNFAIR SYSTEM -- HE SUED WHEN HE WAS GOVERNOR OF WISCONSINABOUT IT -- TO TAKE THE ACTION THAT WE BELIEVE HE HAS UNDER THE LAW TO CORRECT THE UNFAIRNESS AND THE INEQUITY. THIS WILL PUT A BILLION DOLLARS BACK INTO OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM, ALLOWING US TO RECRUIT QUALITY HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR. THIS QUESTION IS FOR GOVERNOR VILSACK FROM JAMES LYNCH.

 

 Lynch: GOVERNOR, DURING YOUR FIRST TERM YOU IMPLEMENTED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PROHIBITED DISCRIMINATION IN EMPLOYMENT ON THE BASIS OF SEXUAL ORIENTATION. IT WAS STRUCK DOWN BY A FEDERAL JUDGE. IF THE VOTERS GIVE YOU A FAVORABLE LEGISLATURE, WOULD YOUR INTENTION BE TO SEEK A CHANGE IN THE STATE LAW REGARDING THAT ISSUE?  >> Vilsack: I JUST DON'T THINK WE SHOULD DISCRIMINATE. I THINK OUR CIVIL RIGHTS CODE NEEDS TO BE AMENDED TO INCLUDE SEXUAL ORIENTATION, AND IF THE LEGISLATURE PASSES THAT LAW, I'LL SIGN IT.

 

 Aune: MR. GROSS?

 

 Gross: I DON'T BELIEVE IN DISCRIMINATION. I THINK IT'S WRONG. IT SHOULD NEVER BE COUNTENANCE, BUT I ALSO DON'T THINK THAT WE SHOULD CREATING SPECIAL RIGHTS OR PRIORITIES AND WE SHOULD NOT HAVE THE GOVERNOR OF OUR STATE LEADING THE EFFORT DO SO, PARTICULARLY WHEN A STATE JUDGE INDICATES THAT HE'S ACTING OUTSIDE THELAW.   >> Aune: THANK YOU. GENE, YOUR QUESTION FOR DOUG GROSS.

 

 Lucht:THANK YOU. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS --

 

 Gross: ARE YOU RUNNING OUT?

 

 Lucht: GOVERNOR, WHEN YOU FIRST TOOK OFFICE, THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO WERE UPSET WHEN YOU APPEARED AT UNION RALLIES. AND AT THE SAME TIME, MR. GROSS, THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE WHO HAVE WONDERED ABOUT YOUR ASSOCIATION THROUGH YOUR LEGAL WORK THAT YOUR LAW FIRM HAS REPRESENTED, FOR EXAMPLE, SMITHFIELD FOODS, WHO HAS CHALLENGED THE STATE'S BANTAM PACKER, OWNERSHIP OF HOGS. THE QUESTION IS A FAIRLY SIMPLE ONE: WHY SHOULD THE VOTERS TRUST YOU?   >> Gross: WELL, FIRST OF ALL, WITH REGARD TO MY LEGAL REPRESENTATION -- YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR VILSACK WAS IN A LAW FIRM TOO. HIS LAW FIRM, I SUSPECT, REPRESENTED LOTS OF FOLKS, SOME PRETTY GOOD AND SOME MAYBE NOT SO GOOD.  BUT YOU'RE NOT YOUR CLIENT, YOU'RE NOT YOUR CUSTOMER. I'M NOT RUNNING TO BE MANAGING PARTNER OF MY FIRM.  I'VE TAKEN A LEAVE OF ABSENCE TO DEVOTE MY FULL ATTENTION TO THIS EFFORT.  I'M RUNNING TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OF IOWA, THE PEOPLE OF IOWA WHO HAVE CONCERNS AND KNOW THAT WE NEED CHANGE, WHO KNOW THAT WE CAN DO SO MUCH BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE TODAY. I WANT TO OFFER MY SERVICES. I FEEL I'M OBLIGATED TO OFFER THOSE SERVICES SO WE CAN GROW IOWA AGAIN, AND THAT'S TRULY WHAT I WANT TO DO.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. GOVERNOR? >> Vilsack: WE'VE HAD VERY FEW SPECIFICS FROM MY OPPONENT. AND WHEN HE TALKS ABOUT GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION, HE SAYS, "I'LL TELL YOU AFTER I'M ELECTED WHAT MY PLANS ARE." AGAIN, HE'S ASKING US TO TRUST HIM WITHOUT HIM PROVIDING US THE FACTS UPON WHICH HE CAN BE TRUSTED. HE CONTINUALLY TALKS ABOUT A BILLION DOLLAR DEFICIT WHEN MOST REPUBLICAN LEADERS HAVE DISAVOWED THAT NUMBER AND HAVE SAID IT'S INCORRECT. THE REALITY IS THAT THE JOB OF GOVERNOR IS TO STAND UP FOR ORDINARY, EVERYDAY IOWANS, THE PEOPLE WHO PLAY BY THE RULES AND WORK HARD; IT ISN'T TO SIDE WITH THE CORPORATIONS, NECESSARILY. THE FIRST PROPOSAL THAT MY OPPONENT HAS ARTICULATED FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IS CORPORATE TAX BREAKS. IT'S A CONTINUATION OF THE WORK THAT HE'S DONE AS A CORPORATE LOBBYIST.  >> Aune: THANK YOU.  THIS QUESTION IS FOR YOU, GOVERNOR.  WHAT WOULD YOU DO, IF REELECTED, TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILDCARE HERE IN IOWA, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL COMMUNITIES?  >> Vilsack: WELL, WE HAVE A TASK FORCE THAT OUTLINED A THREEYEAR PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING CHILDCARE. WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THAT PROGRAM, AND PART OF IT HAS BEEN FOCUSEDON IMPROVING THE PROFESSIONALISM OF CHILDCARE PROVIDERS GIVING THEM INFORMATION, HAVING ACADEMIES FOR THEM SOTHAT THEY WILL UNDERSTAND THE TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY THAT THEY HAVE IN TERMS OF CHILDREN.    YOU KNOW, BRUCE, WE'VE DONE AN AMAZING THING IN THIS STATE. IN A RELATIVELY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, 94 PERCENT OF OUR YOUNGSTERS NOW HAVE ACCESS TO ALL-DAY KINDERGARTEN. I THINK WE NEED TO CHALLENGE ALL OF US TO PROVIDE FOR 90 PERCENT OF OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVING ACCESS TO QUALITY PRESCHOOL. I THINK IF WE DO THAT, WE'RE GOING TO ENCOURAGE BETTER PRESCHOOL, BETTER CHILDCARE, AND A BETTER EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PEOPLE.  >> Aune: THANK YOU. MR. GROSS.

 

 Gross: YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR, I DON'T NEED TO BE LECTURED ON WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE A WORKING STIFF, OKAY? I CAME FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS. I WORKED IN A PACKING PLANT. I HITCHHIKED TO SCHOOL. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE. AND YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT IOWA HAS TODAY IS OUR INCOMES ARE TOO LOW. THAT'S WHY WE HAVE MORE TWO-INCOME FAMILIES IN IOWA, WORKING FAMILIES, THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE UNITED STATES, PUTTING MORE STRESS ON OUR FAMILY MEMBERS ALL THE TIME. WHEN OUR BUDGET IS MISMANAGED, IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE STATE TO DO WHAT IT NEEDS TO DO TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO QUALITY CHILDCARE FOR CITIZENS THAT ARE IN NEED. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF OUR PROBLEMS IN IOWA GET SOLVED IF WE MANAGE OUR BUDGETAPPROPRIATELY AGAIN, A LOT OF OUR PROBLEMS, BECAUSE WE NEED A STATE GOVERNMENT THAT DOES WHAT IT SAYS IT'S GOING TO DO, NOT JUST IN WORD BUT ALSO IN DEED. AND MANAGING THE STATE'S BUDGET IS ESSENTIAL TO THAT.  >> Aune: THANK YOU. AND WE ARE IN A REBUTTAL PERIOD AGAIN. GOVERNOR VILSACK, YOU HAVE A MINUTE.  >> Vilsack: DOUG, I CERTAINLY ADMIRE YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE IN YOUR OWN PERSONAL LIFE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THAT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ONE NEVER TO FORGET THEIR ROOTS. YOU TALKED ABOUT WORKING IN A PACKING HOUSE. YOU TALKED ABOUT WHAT IT IS TO BE A WORKING STIFF; I THINK THAT WAS THE TERM YOU USED. GIVEN THAT, WHY DON'T YOU SIDE WITH ME TONIGHT, RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW, FOR AN INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE?  WHY DON'T YOU SAY TO WORKING FAMILIES THAT YOU ARE FOR INCREASE IN THE MINIMUM WAGE, TAKING LITERALLY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS OUT OF A LIFE OF SUFFICIENCY AND DEPENDENCY ON HUMAN SERVICES AND MAKING THEM SELFSUFFICIENT. JOIN ME TODAY. I ASK YOU TO DO THAT.  >> Aune: THANK YOU. MR. GROSS?  >> Gross: YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR, I'D BE HAPPY TO CONSIDER AN INCREASE IN MINIMUM WAGE, PARTICULARLY -- PARTICULARLYIF IT REALLY SOLVED OUR PROBLEM.  YOU KNOW, GOING FROM 5.15 AN HOUR TO 6.15 AN HOUR, IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH MONEY TORAISE A FAMILY?  IS THAT GOING TO BE ENOUGH MONEY SO WHEN OUR KIDS GRADUATE FROM OUR SCHOOLS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE AND RAISE THEIR FAMILIES HERE?  YOU KNOW IT'S NOT. IT'S JUST SYMBOLS AND WE NEED MORE THAN SYMBOLS TODAY IN IOWA. WE NEED ACTION. WE NEED VISION AND ACTION IN IOWA AGAIN SO BADLY.   HELEN KELLER SAID VISION WITHOUT ACTION IS BUT A DREAM AND ACTION WITHOUT VISION IS JUST WASTING TIME. BUT VISION WITH ACTION CAN CHANGE THE WORLD.  AND DON'T WE NEED TO CHANGE IOWA?  DON'T WE NEED TO CHANGE IT FOR THE BETTER? WE CAN'T CONTINUE THE WAY WE HAVE.   WE NEED TO DO BETTER IN IOWA, AND I WANT TO HELP US ALL GET THERE.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS. WE HAVE COMPLETED THE QUESTIONING TONIGHT. AND NOW EACH CANDIDATE WILL RECEIVE TWO MINUTES FOR CLOSING STATEMENTS. AND, AGAIN, WE BEGIN ACCORDING TO A TOSS OF A COIN EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON. WE BEGIN WITH DOUG GROSS. MR. GROSS, YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

 

 Gross: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AS I'VE TALKED ABOUT, I CAME FROM MODEST BEGINNINGS. BUT, YOU KNOW, GOVERNOR, I NEVER FORGOT WHERE I CAME FROM, AND THE FOLKS IN DEFIANCE WOULD NEVER LET ME, BECAUSE I ALSO THINK WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION THAT COMES AFTER US. IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME TO BE YOUR GOVERNOR,I'LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO BRING THE CHANGE TO THIS STATE THAT WE NEED SO WE CAN DO BETTER, SO WE CAN HAVE GOOD PAYING JOBS IN ALL PARTS OF OUR STATE AGAIN, AND A WORLD-CLASS SCHOOL THAT EVERY CHILD HAS ACCESS TO, AND A HEALTH CARE SYSTEM SO OUR ELDERLY CITIZENS CANAFFORD THEIR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS. SADLY, THE LAST FOUR YEARS HAVE BEEN A LITANY OF MISMANAGEMENT, WASTED OPPORTUNITIES, AND BUSTED BUDGETS, WORSE THAN ANY OTHER STATE AROUND.   I'D ASK YOU THIS QUESTION AS YOU CONTEMPLATE THE NEXT ELECTION: ARE YOU BETTER OFF?  IS IOWA BETTER OFF THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO?  ARE YOUR SCHOOLS BETTER?   IS YOUR TUITION MORE AFFORDABLE?   ARE YOUR JOBS BETTER?   IS YOUR PROPERTY TAX -- ARE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES LOWER? SADLY, THE ANSWER TO ALL THOSE QUESTIONS IS NO. YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT MORE OF THE SAME, VOTE FOR GOVERNOR VILSACK. BUT IF YOU WANT CHANGE, IF YOU WANT NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN IOWA, GIVE DEBBIE DURHAM AND MYSELF A CHANCE.   WE WANT TO LEAD. YOU KNOW, I LOVE THIS STATE. I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE. MY DAD WAS A MECHANIC AND A FARMER. I WORKED UNDER TWO WONDERFUL GOVERNORS WHO TAUGHT ME LEADERSHIP, AND I'M READY TO LEAD. I'M READY TO LEAD NOW.    I WORKED WITH THE FARM BUREAU, AND THEY'VE ENDORSED ME, ENDORSING MY PLAN FOR IOWA.   I'MWORKING WITH TEACHERS TO IMPROVE EDUCATION, AND I'M WORKING WITH JOB CREATORS WHO SUPPORT ME ALL OVER THIS STATE. BUT, YOU KNOW, I NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW.   I NEED IT NOW AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE, BECAUSE TOGETHER WE CAN GET IOWA MOVING AGAIN. THANK YOU.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, MR. GROSS.  AND GOVERNOR VILSACK, YOUR CLOSING STATEMENT.

 

 Vilsack: THANK YOU, BRUCE.  I WANT TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION TO COE COLLEGE AND THE SPONSORS FOR THIS DEBATE AND THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING AND LISTENING TONIGHT.   YOU KNOW, I WOKE UP THIS MORNING IN MY HOME ON MAIN STREET IN MOUNT PLEASANT AND OPENED UP THE KITCHEN WINDOW AND ICOULD HEAR THE SOUNDS OF THE HIGH SCHOOL BAND PRACTICING FOR FRIDAY NIGHT'S FOOTBALL GAME. I THOUGHT ABOUT THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE. I THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT AN EXCITING, EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY THEY HAVE.  I KNOW THAT THEIR SCHOOLS ARE BETTER TODAY, BUT THEY CAN GET EVEN BETTER.   I WANT TO SEE REGIONAL ACADEMIES AND ONLINE AND VIRTUAL ACADEMIES AVAILABLE TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE VENTURE CAPITAL PROPOSALS THAT IS GOING TO LEAD TO HUNDREDS OF NEW BUSINESSES BEING STARTED IN THIS STATE, AND I KNOW THAT WE CAN BE THE STATE THAT NOT ONLY FEEDS THE WORLD AND FUELS THE WORLD BUT ALSO PROVIDESCURES FOR ILLNESS AND DISEASE. WHAT'S MISSING FROM POLITICAL DEBATES TODAY IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT MORAL IMPERATIVES, A HIGHER CALLING, A HIGHER PURPOSE. I THINK IOWA HAS AN EXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITY.  BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE WE'VE BALANCED THE BUDGET, BECAUSE WE HAVE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO US, WE CAN INVEST NOW IN AN IOWA THAT EMBRACES THE BIOECONOMY. WE CAN INVEST NOW IN AN IOWA THAT'S CONNECTED TO THE INTERNET. WE CAN INVEST NOW IN AN IOWA THAT IS THE CHAMPION FOR RENEWABLE ENERGIES.  WE CAN INVEST IN EXPANDED CULTURE AND RECREATION.  WE CAN INVEST IN ALL OF THESE OPPORTUNITIES, AND WE CAN RAISE THE MINIMUM WAGE AT THE SAME TIME.  YOU KNOW, DOUG, IT MAY NOT MAKE MUCH DIFFERENCE TO YOU AND ME, BUT IT SURE MAKES A DIFFERENCE, THAT DOLLAR AN HOUR, TO THE 100,000 IOWANS THAT ARE CURRENTLY WORKING AT A MINIMUM WAGE. ALL OF THAT IS POSSIBLE, IMPROVEMENT IN EDUCATION. WE ALSO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOWER PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS FOR SENIORS.  I HAVE A PLAN TO DO THAT.  MY OPPONENT DOES NOT. THERE AREEXTRAORDINARY OPPORTUNITIES.  OTHER STATES THAT SURROUND US ARE STILL DEALING WITH BUDGET DIFFICULTIES AND BUDGET DEFICITS.  WE ANNOUNCED A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND MORERESOURCES COMING AS A RESULT OF SOME TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE'VE MADE. WE'VE SACRIFICED, WE'VE WORKED HARD, WE'VE CREATED THIS OPPORTUNITY.  AND THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE PLAYING IN THE BAND, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND IT, BUT THE FUTURE FOR THEM IS BRIGHT, IT IS HOPEFUL, AND IT IS OPTIMISTIC BECAUSE THIS IS THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD TO LIVE, WORK, AND RAISE A FAMILY.  THANK YOU.

 

 Aune: THANK YOU, GOVERNOR VILSACK.  AND THAT COMPLETES TONIGHT'S IOWA GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE.  I WANT TO THANK THE CANDIDATES -- DEMOCRAT TOM VILSACK, THE INCUMBENT,  AND THE REPUBLICAN CHALLENGER, DOUG GROSS -- FOR BEING WITH US TONIGHT.  I WANT TO THANK BOTH OF YOU FOR YOUR REMARKS, WHICH YOU KEPT RIGHT TO THE POINT AS MUCH AS YOU COULD. I KNOW THOSE 45-SECOND RESPONSES WENT BY VERY QUICKLY.  WE ALSO WANT TO THANK COE COLLEGE FOR HOSTING THIS EVENT TONIGHT, AND WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR WATCHING AND LISTENING TONIGHT AS WELL. THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ELECTION FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR STATE.  KCRG TV, "THE GAZETTE," THE "IOWA CITY GAZETTE" AND "IOWA FARMER TODAY" ARE HOSTING A SERIES OF OTHER DEBATES PRIOR TO NOVEMBER'S ELECTION AS WELL.   THE NEXT DEBATE WILL BE THE ONE INVOLVING THE TWO MAJOR CANDIDATES FOR U.S. SENATE. INCUMBENT DEMOCRAT TOM HARKIN WILL FACEREPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN GREG GANSKE ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6. THAT DEBATE WILL START AT 5:00 P.M., AND IT WILL BE IN THE KCRG STUDIOS IN CEDAR RAPIDS.   I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE OTHER TWO MEMBERS OF MY PANEL TONIGHT: JAMES LYNCH OF THE "CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE" AND GENE LUCHT.  THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

 

 THIS CONCLUDES IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION'S REBROADCAST OF "CAMPAIGN 2002: THE IOWA GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE." THE DEBATE WAS SPONSORED BY KCRG-TV9 AND GAZETTE COMMUNICATIONS AND WAS HELD LAST EVENING IN CEDAR RAPIDS. OUR THANKS TO KCRG TV FOR HELPING MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.