Iowa Public Television

THE FIRST STEP TOWARD CHOOSING THE NEXT GOVERNOR OF IOWA BEGINS WITH THE JUNE 4th PRIMARY ELECTION. TODAY, THREE REPUBLICANS SEEKING THEIR PARTY'S NOMINATION MEET FOR THE DES MOINES REGISTER DEBATE. FROM THE STUDIOS OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION, HERE IS REGISTER EDITOR, PAUL ANGER.

HELLO AND WELCOMETO THE DES MOINES REGISTER'S GUBERNATORIAL DEBATE INVOLVING CANDIDATES IN THE REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ELECTION. THE WINNER OF THIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY ON TUESDAY, JUNE 4th, WILL GO ON TO FACE DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR TOM VILSACK IN THE GENERAL ELECTION ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5th. THOSE DATES ARE FAST APPROACHING, AND WE ARE DELIGHTED TODAY TO PRESENT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES. THEY ARE, IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, DOUG GROSS OF DES MOINES; STEVE SUKUP OF DOUGHERTY;AND BOB VANDER PLAATS OF SIOUX CITY. THERE WILL BE OPENING AND CLOSING STATEMENTS, AND IN BETWEEN, THERE WILL BE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS ASKED OF THE CANDIDATES. MANY QUESTIONS WERE SELECTED FROM DOZENS SUBMITTED BY READERS OF THE REGISTER. THE CANDIDATES WILL ALSO HAVE A CHANCE TO CHALLENGE EACH OTHER ON THE ISSUES. AND OTHER QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED BY A TWO-PERSON PANEL OF REGISTER REPORTERS. THEY ARE REGISTER POLITICAL REPORTER TOM BEAUMONT, AND LEGISLATIVE REPORTER LYNN OKAMOTO. OUR DEBATE IS CLOSED-CAPTIONED, AND IN SOME AREAS AVAILABLE IN SPANISH. LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE CANDIDATES' OPENING STATEMENTS. THEY WILL BE 90 SECONDS EACH, AND THE ORDER OF APPEARANCE WAS SELECTED BY LUCK OF THE DRAW. MR. VANDER PLAATS, YOU ARE FIRST.

WELCOME TO THE REPUBLICAN LOCKER ROOM. THIS STATE NEEDS LEADERSHIP AND THEREFORE, WE NEED A NEW GOVERNOR. AS A BUSINESSMAN, I UNDERSTAND WE NEED LEADERSHIP IN THE AREA OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. AS A FORMER TEACHER, COACH AND HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, I KNOW WE NEED AUTHENTIC AND EXPERIENCED LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATION. AND AS A CEO, I KNOW WE NEED DYNAMIC LEADERSHIP IN THE MANAGEMENT OF STATE GOVERNMENT. IN 1998, WE REPUBLICANS LEARNED A VALUABLE LESSON. THAT LESSON WAS THIS, IF WE DON'T WIN, WE DON'T GOVERN.WE KNOW THAT GOVERNOR TOM VILSACK WILL NOT RUN ON HIS OWN RECORD BECAUSE IT HAS FAILED AT EVERY TURN. HIS ONLY HOPE FOR A SECOND TERM IS TO PUT VICIOUS ATTACKS AGAINST SOMEBODY ELSE'S RECORDS. FOR THE PAST TEN DAYS, YOU HAVE SEEN MY OPPONENTS PROVIDE AN APPETIZER OF THE FEAST OF ATTACKS THAT GOVERNOR VILSACK WILL LAY ON EITHER ONE OF THEM IF THEY ARE THE NOMINEE. IN MY OPPONENT, STEVE SUKUP, GOVERNOR VILSACK WILL MAKE HIM BE THE PROBLEM, NOT THE WINNER. IN MY OPPONENT, DOUG GROSS, GOVERNOR VILSACK WILL MAKE HIM OUT TO BE THE POSTER CHILD OF SPECIAL INTEREST LOBBYISTS WHO DON'T CARE ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. WE HAVE A CLEAR CHOICE TODAY. WE HAVE A LEGISLATOR, A LOBBYIST AND A LEADER. TODAY AS REPUBLICANS WE NEED TO MAKE THAT CHOICE. I CAN WIN, I WILL WIN, AND THEN WE WILL LEAD.

THANK YOU, MR. VANDER PLAATS. NOW TO MR. SUKUP.

THANK YOU, PAUL. I LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH YOU THIS AFTERNOON. IOWA HAS A LOT OF GREAT OPPORTUNITIES, HARD-WORKING, WELL-EDUCATED IOWANS, AND WE NEED TO SEIZE UPON THE STRENGTHS IF WE'RE TO GROW IOWA INSTEAD OF GROWING GOVERNMENT. THE PRINCIPLES OF RUNNING GOVERNMENT ARE A LOT LIKE THAT OF RUNNING A BUSINESS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVEN'T BEEN SEEING THAT LATELY. OUR FAMILY STARTED AN AGRICULTURAL MANUFACTURING COMPANY, SUKUP MANUFACTURING ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO. AS A CO-OWNER FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS, I'VE LEARN FIRSTHAND WHAT IT TAKES TO RUN A BUSINESS AND NAVIGATE THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES. THERE'S OVER 200 OF US UP THERE MAKING FANS, HEATERS AND GRAIN DRYING EQUIPMENT. WHILE OTHER COMPANIES MOVED OUT OF RURAL IOWA, WE STAYED AND CONTINUED TO GROW THERE. JOB CREATION AND EDUCATION WILL BE MY TOP PRIORITIES. YOU'LL FINALLY HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT NOT ONLY TALKS ABOUT JOB CREATION BUT HAS ACTUALLY PRACTICED IT. AS A GRADUATE OF IOWA STATE IN ENGINEERING, AND A SON AND A DAUGHTER THAT WILL BE AT COLLEGE NEXT YEAR AND A DAUGHTER IN HIGH SCHOOL, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT JOB OPPORTUNITIES IN IOWA WILL BE A TOP PRIORITY. BUT WITH JOB OPPORTUNITIES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A GREATEDUCATION SYSTEM. MY WIFE, VICKI, HAS BEEN A TEACHER FOR THE PAST 22 YEARS.AND I KNOW THAT WE HAVE DEDICATED, CARING PROFESSIONALS IN THE CLASSROOM. AS GOVERNOR, WE WILL RUN GOVERNMENT MORE LIKE A BUSINESS. WE WILL GET THE BUDGET BACK IN ORDER, WE'LL BALANCE THE BUDGET AND NAVIGATE THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT TO GET THERE. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL HEAR FROM DOUG GROSS.

THANK YOU, PAUL. I WANT TO THANK THE DES MOINES REGISTER AND IPTV FOR SPONSORING THIS DEBATE. I WAS LUCKY, I GREW UP IN AN OLD TOWN, CALLED DEFIANCE, IOWA, ABOUT 345 PEOPLE. I WAS THE FOURTH KID IN A FAMILY OF 10 AND THERE WERE EIGHT BOYS. AND DAD, YOU KNOW, HE NEVER BELIEVED IN BUYING A LOT OF MACHINERY. HE NEVER BOUGHT A MILKING MACHINE UNTIL I GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL. DAD SAID WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH BUT WE HAD OUR FAITH AND WE HAD EACH OTHER. WE ALSO LEARNED A COUPLE VERY OTHER IMPORTANT LESSONS IN LIFE IN DEFIANCE, WE LEARNED THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION AND HARD WORK BECAUSE WITH THOSE TWO ELEMENTS, YOU CAN BE A SUCCESS IN LIFE NO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE, NO MATTER WHERE YOU COME FROM. I HAD A CHANCE TO WORK WITH OUTSTANDING REPUBLICANS, TOM TAUKE, GOVERNOR BOB RAY AND TERRY BRANDSTAD AS HIS CHIEF OF STAFF. I'M PROUD TO SAY TODAY ALL THREE OF THOSE OUTSTANDING REPUBLICANS ARE SUPPORTING ME IN MY RACE FOR GOVERNOR. YOU KNOW, I LEFT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE IN 1989 AS CHIEF OF STAFF NOT BECAUSE I DIDN'T LIKE IT, I LOVED PUBLIC SERVICE AND WHAT I WAS DOING. BUT EILEEN AND I WERE HAVING OUR FIFTH CHILD AND I JUST DECIDED IT WAS MORE IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AT THAT POINT IN OUR LIFE THAN OUR PUBLIC. BUT IT'S TODAY WITH THIS SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT OF MY FAMILY, I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR OF IOWA AND I'M PROUD THAT I AM BECAUSE IOWA NEEDS LEADERSHIP, IT NEEDS LEADERSHIP MORE TODAY THAN IT HAS IN YEARS. WE NEED LEADERSHIP TO FIX THE STATE'S BUDGET WITHOUT RAISING TAXES. TO GROW IOWA AGAIN SO WE HAVE JOBS FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE AND TO MAKE CERTAIN WE PROTECT OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM. WITH YOUR HELP, WE'LL EMBARK ON THAT ENDEAVOR ON NOVEMBER 6th. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. OUR FIRST QUESTION COMES FROM DAVID CREIGHTON, SR., OF CLIVE. HE ASKS, "HOW WOULD YOU CONVINCE IOWANS THAT WE NEED TO RETHINK AND REDUCE THE 99 COUNTIES AND ABOUT 400 SCHOOL DISTRICTS INTO A MORE ECONOMICAL AND EFFICIENT STRUCTURE?" ASSUMING YOU FEEL THE SAME,HOW WOULD YOU DO THAT? MR. VANDER PLAATS, YOU'RE FIRST WITH YOUR ANSWER, AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

AS REPUBLICANS, WE MUST CONSTANTLY TAKE A LOOK IF HE WAY GOVERNMENT SERVES US. TO MAKE SURE IT'S EFFECTIVE, IT'S EFFICIENT AND FOCUSED ON RESULTS WITH EXCELLENCE. WHEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CITY GOVERNMENTS, OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS, OUR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, TOO MANY OF THEM TODAY BELIEVE THEY'RE NOT IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN DESTINY BECAUSE WE HAVE STRIPPED MORE AND MORE POWER AWAY FROM THEM AND PUT IT UNDERNEATH THE GOLD DOME, AND THEN OUT OF THAT COMES MANDATE AFTER MANDATE, ON TOP OF THE CITIES, ON TOP OF THE COUNTIES AND ON TOP OF THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. I BELIEVE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO EFFECTIVELY ANALYZE THE ROLE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT, IS YOU PUT LOCAL LEADERS IN CHARGE OF THEIR OWN DESTINY. AND I TRULY BELIEVE THEY WILL FIND THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT FOR THEM. IT NEEDS TO HAVE A COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, AND IF ITMAKES SENSE, THE LOCAL PEOPLE WILL IMPLEMENT IT.

WE'LL GO TO MR. SUKUP.

THANK YOU. WHAT I BELIEVE DAVID IS PROBABLY ASKING, WE NEED TO TAKE INEFFICIENCIES OUT OF GOVERNMENT. WHEN I CHAIRED THE INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEE, THERE WAS A MAINTENANCE SHED THAT WAS GOING TO BE BUILT BETWEEN THE CITY, COUNTY AND STATE. ALL THREE OF THEM WERE INTERESTED IN BUILDING A SEPARATE MAINTENANCE SHED, FACILITY ON THE AVENUE OF THE SAINTS. ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS I WORKED WITH, ONE OF THE DEMOCRATS ON THE COMMITTEE SAID STEVE,LET'S HAVE THEM GO TOGETHER ON IT. SO WE DID, WE CHANGED SOME STATE LAW WHERE WE COULD HAVE THE CITY, COUNTY AND STATE SHARE THE SAME FACILITY, TAKE THE INEFFICIENCIES OUT. THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO GO TO FIRST INSTEAD OF TRYING TO REDRAW LINES, LET'S TAKE THE INEFFICIENCIES OUT AND THE SAME WAY WITH THE SCHOOLS. WHAT WE WANT IS TO MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE RIGHT RESULTS IN THE CLASSROOMS, WHETHER ELEMENTARY, MIDDLE SCHOOLS OR HIGH SCHOOLS AND TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE DOING BEST IN THE CLASSROOM.

THANK YOU. WE'LL GO TO MR. GROSS.

I DON'T BELIEVE IN STATE GOVERNMENT FIATS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SO I DON'T BELIEVE DES MOINES OUGHT TO DICTATE TO OTHER PARTS OF THE STATE HOW THEY OUGHT TO BE STRUCTURED. WE HAVE 1% OF THE POPULATION IN IOWA AND 6% OF THE GOVERNMENT. A LOT OF THAT PROBLEM RESTS WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO MAKE SURE ITS OWN HOUSE IS IN ORDER FIRST. SO I WOULD MAKE CERTAIN WE DOWNSIZE AND RESTRUCTURE THE DELIVERY OF STATE GOVERNMENT SERVICES LIKE WE DID IN 1986 LIKE GOVERNOR BRANSTAD DIDIN 1986, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FARM CRISIS WHEN I WAS HIS CHIEF OF STAFF MAKE CERTAIN WE TAKE CARE OF THAT FIRST. THEN WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO IS USE STATE RESOURCES TO PROVIDE INCENTIVES TO SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COUNTIES SO THEY CANCOMBINE AND WORK TOGETHER TO LIMIT THE SERVICES IF THEY WISH TO DO SO BY REDUCING PROPERTY TAXES AND IMPROVING QUALITY OF SERVICES. I'M WORRIED ABOUT SOME OF OUR KIDS IN OUR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND SOME OF THE SCHOOLS AROUND THE STATE THAT THEY'RE NOT GETTING THE SAME ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION THAT OTHERS ARE AND WE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN THE STATE HELPS PROVIDE THAT.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT QUESTION IS FROM FORMER REPUBLICAN LEIUTENANT GOVERNOR ARTHUR NEU FROM CARROLL. HE ASKS, "IF YOU ARE ELECTED AND WHEN THE ECONOMY IMPROVES AND STATE REVENUE INCREASES, WILL YOU ATTEMPT TO REPLACE SOME OR ALL OF THE LOST REVENUE OR CUT TAXES?" FIRST TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION WILL BE MR. SUKUP.

THANK YOU, PAUL. ABSOLUTELY WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT CUTTING TAXES. RIGHT NOW, WE'RE EXPORTING OUT TWO GROUPS OF SENIORS OUT OF OUR STATE, OUR SENIOR CITIZENS AND OUR SENIORS THAT ARE COLLEGES AT -- SENIORS AT COLLEGES AND YEARS. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEARLY 15 YEARS, OUR STATE LOST POPULATION. THESE INDIVIDUALS ARE LEAVING. WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THE TAX ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSION BENEFITS BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MANY OF OUR SENIOR CITIZENS LEAVING THE STATE BECAUSE THEY'RE HAVING TO PAY THESE TAXES. OTHER STATES DON'T MAKE THEM. THEN ALSO WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX SO THAT WE CAN HAVE JOB CREATION HERE IN IOWA.AS WE GET CLOSE WITH HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATIONS, COLLEGE GRADUATIONS RIGHT NOW, WE NEED THE JOB OPPORTUNITIES HERE IN IOWA, AND UNTIL WE DO SOMETHING WITH MORE JOBS AVAILABLE FOR THEM, JOB SELECTION, GETTING DOWN TO CUTTING SOME OF THE CAPITAL GAINS TAX RATES WOULD BE IMPORTANT STEPS TOWARDS THAT.

WE'LL TO GO MR. GROSS.

ART IS A SUPPORTER OF MINE, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THE QUESTION. WE HAVE A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM, WE TAX SUCCESS TOO MUCH. AS A RESULT, WE LOSE A LOT OF SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE, PEOPLE WHO HAVE CAPITAL AND INCOME, WHO CAN HELP GROW OUR STATE AND IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE QUALITY OF JOBS IN IOWA. FUNDAMENTALLY THE MOST IMPORTANT PROBLEM IOWA FACES TODAY IS THAT 50% OF OUR WORKERS MAKE $11 AN HOUR OR LESS. AND THE ONLY WAY WE'LL TURN THAT AROUND IS INCREASE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF BUSINESS ACTIVITY IN IOWA, AND OUR TAX AND REGULATORY STRUCTURE HAVE A HUGE IMPACT ON OUR ABILITY TO DO THAT. SO WHAT I WOULD DO IS SYSTEMATICALLY MAKE CERTAIN THAT OUR TAX AND OUR REGULATORY CLIMATE BECOME MORE COMPETITIVE FOR JOB CREATION, HIGH-QUALITY JOB CREATION IN OUR STATE. WE NEED TO BE DISCIPLINED AND CONSISTENT ABOUT DOING THAT, AND IF WE DO THAT, I THINK WE CAN TURN IOWA AROUND.

MR. VANDER PLAATS, YOU'RE NEXT.

IT WAS MY HOPE THAT WHEN WE HAD A GOOD CASH BALANCE IN THE BANK, WE WOULD HAVE OPERATED LIKE A GOOD BUSINESS AND REALLY TAKE A LOOK AT THE WAY WE DO CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS. BUT INSTEAD WE DIDN'T DO THAT, WE KEPT GROWING GOVERNMENT IN GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES. SO NOW MAYBE THE LEAN TIMES AREN'T TOO BAD, BECAUSE NOW WE HAVE A CHANCE TO RETHINK THE WAY STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATES. WHAT ARE OUR PRIORITIES AND HOW DO WE DELIVER IT IN THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE METHOD POSSIBLE. I THINK WHAT ART IS GETTING ATHERE IS THAT WHEN THE ECONOMY DOES IMPROVE, ARE YOU JUST GOING TO GROW GOVERNMENT BACK UP AGAIN? I THINK THAT'S WHY I -- I MAKE THE BEST CHOICE AS A CEO TO COME INTO THE GOVERNOR'S CHAIR, TO CONSTANTLY ANALYZE ARE WE DOING THINGS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WITH THE FOCUS ON RESULTS AND EXCELLENCE. BUT THERE IS NO DOUBT, THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY FOR IOWA NEEDS TO BE GROWTH, AND WE NEED TO PUT THAT FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SO THE ECONOMY WILL IMPROVE.

THANK YOU. OUR THIRD QUESTION IS FROM NANCY MCCULLOUGH OF HAMPTON. SHE ASKS, "COULD YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT PROBLEMS YOU HAVE ENCOUNTERED IN YOUR PRESENT CAREER AND HOW YOU SOLVED THEM TO DEMONSTRATE YOUR ABILITY TO LEAD IOWA AS GOVERNOR?" DOUG GROSS, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE TO ANSWER.

ONE OF THE -- I'M A MANAGING PARTNER OF THE THIRD LARGEST LAW FIRM IN IOWA. WE'VE GOT ABOUT 47 LAWYERS AND ALMOST 100 EMPLOYEES. AND ONE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES AS IT IS MANAGING PARTNER IS ESTABLISH A BUDGET FOR THAT FIRM THAT WE CAN RELY UPON AND USE AS A BASIS FOR OUR OPERATIONS. YOU KNOW, IF YOU DON'T HAVE AN OPERATING BUDGET WITH INTEGRITY, YOUR ORGANIZATION CAN'T FUNCTION EFFICIENTLY. SO WHAT I DO WHEN WE PUT OUR BUDGET TOGETHER IS I TAKE ALL THE ESTIMATES OF REVENUE FROM ALL OF OUR INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS, AND I REDUCE THEM ALL BY ABOUT 10%. NOW, SOME I'VE REDUCED BY 25 AND I WON'T TELL YOU WHO THOSE FOLKS ARE. [ LAUGHTER ]

BUT WE REDUCE THEM SO WE MAKE CERTAIN THAT THE BUDGET WE ESTABLISH FOR OUR FIRM CAN BE CARRIED OUT AND THE PROMISES WE MAKE CAN BE KEPT. THE UNFORTUNATE THING ABOUT TOM VILSACK'S ADMINISTRATION IS THAT HE'S MADE PROMISE AFTER PROMISE AFTER PROMISE AND THEY'VE GONE UNFULFILLED. AS A RESULT, OUR STATE GOVERNMENT IS BASICALLY DYSFUNCTIONAL TODAY.

THANK YOU. TO MR. VANDER PLAATS.

THE TOUGHEST PART OF THAT QUESTION IS TO FOCUS IN ON ONE PROBLEM THAT I'VE HAD. WHEN I TOOK OVER OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED, A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION THAT FOCUSES ON BRAIN INJURIES, SPINAL CORD INJURY AND YOUNG KIDS WITH DISABILITIES, IT WAS IN DIRE STRAITS. THEY WERE CUTTING CHECKS AND PUTTING THEM IN DRAWERS BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T PAY THE BILLS. BUT WORSE THAN THAT, THE MISSION TO THESE MOST PRECIOUS CITIZENS WAS NOT BEING FULFILLED WITH EXCELLENCE. WHEN I CAME IN AS PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, THE FIRST GOAL WE HAD WAS TO PUT THE MANAGEMENT HOUSE IN ORDER. ONCE WE PUT THE MANAGEMENT HOUSE IN ORDER, BY REORGANIZING AND RESHUFFLING, WE THEN WERE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS BY SAYING WE WANT A VISION OF EXCELLENCE. WE WANT TO BE THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY. AND THEN I BROUGHT ON THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST TO HELP FULFILL THAT VISION. I HELD THE BEST AND THEBRIGHTEST ACCOUNTABLE 18 MONTHS AGO, WE WERE ACCREDITED NATIONALLY AS BEINGTHE MODEL IN THE COUNTRY FOR COMMUNITY INTEGRATION TO SERVE -- FOR SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

THANK YOU. TO MR. SUKUP.

1979, I WENT BACK INTO A FAMILY AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS AND THEN THE '80s HAPPENED. IN THE MID-'80s, WE HAD HIGH INTEREST RATES, NO CROPS AND SOME PRETTY TOUGH TIMES. THEN DURING THAT TIME, ALONG WITH MY DAD AND BROTHERS, WE NAVIGATED THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES. WE KNEW AT THAT TIME WE HAD TO RUN A TIGHTER SHIP IN OUR BUSINESS, TAKE OUT INEFFICIENCIES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, OUR GOAL WAS TO BUILD A BETTER AND STRONGER COMPANY, AND WE GOT THAT ACCOMPLISHED IN THE '80s AS WE TOOK OUR PRODUCTS, WE DID DIFFERENT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT, WE SQUEEZED OUT THE INEFFICIENCIES IN OUR COMPANY, BUT LAID OUT THE ROAD THAT WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL, ADD TO OUR PRODUCTS AND THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO WITH GOVERNMENT STAFF RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE SOME TOUGH BUDGET TIMES, WE NEED TO SQUEEZE OUT THE INEFFICIENCIES BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO KEEP OUR EYES FOCUSED ON JOB CREATION AND JOB GROWTH IN IOWA AND I CAN GET THAT DONE.

THANK YOU. NOW WE'LL GIVE EACH CANDIDATE AN OPPORTUNITY TO QUESTION ANOTHER CANDIDATE. THE CANDIDATE ASKING THE QUESTION WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO RESPOND, AS WELL. WE'LL BEGIN WITH MR. SUKUP, WHO WILL HAVE 20 SECONDS TO ASK A QUESTION OF MR. GROSS.

THANK YOU. DOUG, YOUR CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN ATTACKING ME LATELY ABOUT SAYING I WAS LYING ABOUT YOUR RECORD OF ADVOCATING FOR JACK DECOSER. I THINK WITH THE DES MOINES REGISTER ARTICLES THIS MORNING, THAT WAS SHOWN NOT TO BE TRUE. CAN YOU COME CLEAN WITH THAT RECORD, PLEASE?

I'D BE HAPPY TO, STEVE. VERY CLEARLY, I'VE NEVER REPRESENTED JACK DECOSER,NEVER BEEN HIS ATTORNEY. I'VE REPRESENTED HOG PRODUCERS ACROSS THIS STATE, BOTH LARGE AND SMALL. IT'S THE NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY IN OUR STATE AND I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT A PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO HELP GROW RURAL IOWA. IF WE RUN THE HOG INDUSTRY OUT OF IOWA, WE'D BE RUNNING THE ONE THING THAT HELPS PEOPLE MAKE MONEY WITHOUT GOVERNMENT SUBSIDIES IN THE RURAL PARTS OF OUR STATE. I'LL NEVER BE A GOVERNOR WHO SIGNS THE DEATH WARRANT FOR RURAL IOWA. I REPRESENT A LOT OF FOLKS BUT AS I TOLD YOU, STEVE, AND AS MY CLIENT TOLD YOU, I'VE NEVER REPRESENTED JACK DECOSTER. BUT, STEVE, IT DIDN'T MAKE A DIFFERENCE WHAT I SAID, YOU WERE GOING TO MAKE THE SAME ACCUSATIONS, ANYWAY. RATHER THAN HAVE THE HARDIN COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS GET EMBROILED IN A POLITICAL DISPUTE, WE OUGHT TO FOCUS INSTEAD ON TOM VILSACK. OUR GOAL HERE IS TO ELECT A NEW REPUBLICAN GOVERNOR BECAUSE TOM VILSACK HAS FAILED US IN HIS LEADERSHIP.

YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS TO RESPONDS.

OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE TOM VILSACK BE A ONE-TERM GOVERNOR BUT WE HAVE TO BE STRAIGHTFORWARD WITH OUR RECORDS. I THINK THAT'S THE IMPORTANT THING AND I THINK THE FACTS DO SHOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING DOWN IN HARDEN COUNTY, WHAT ADVOCATING WAS AND WE DO HAVE GREAT LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS AND IT'S A SHAME THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL HAS TARNISHED THEIR REPUTATION.

NEXT IS MR. VANDER PLAATS AND YOU HAVE 20 SECONDS TO ASK MR. SUKUP A QUESTION.

STEVE, ONE OF THE BEST INDICATORS OF A LEADER IS WHEN THEY'RE SELECTED BY THEIR PEERS INTO A LEADERSHIP POSITION. YOU SERVE IN THE HOUSE AND YET THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE IS CHRISTOPHER RANTS, NOT YOU. YOU'RE SPEAKER PRO TEM. IN YOUR FAMILY BUSINESS, YOU'RE NOT A PRESIDENT AND CEO, YOU'RE VICE PRESIDENT. IF YOUR FAMILY AND PEERS DON'T SELECT YOU AS A LEADER, HOW DO YOU CONVINCE IOWANS TO BE A LEADER?

THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE WRONG, THEY HAVE SELECTED ME AS ONE OF THEIR LEADERS, AS SPEAKER PRO TEM AND I'VE WORKED HARD TO EARN THEIR RESPECT. 54 LEGISLATORS ARE SUPPORTING MY BID FOR GOVERNOR BECAUSE THEY KNOW I'VE TACKLED THE TOUGH ISSUES AND I GET THE RESULTS. THEY DON'T DO THAT LIGHTLY BECAUSE THEIR NAMES WILL BE ON THE BALLOTS NEXT NOVEMBER, THEY WANT AN INDIVIDUAL THAT THEY CAN WORK WITH, CAMPAIGN HARD WITH AND THAT'S GOING TO WIN IN NOVEMBER, AND THEN ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY OF ALL, FOR IOWANS THAT WE HAVE A GOVERNOR THAT'S READY TO LEAD IOWA FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS.

MR. VANDER PLAATS, YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS IF YOU WISH.

HAVING THE TOP LEADERSHIPPOSITION IS SOMETHING I'VE BECOME ACCUSTOMED TO, WHETHER IT'S MY PEERS IN EDUCATION OR MY PEERS ON A GOVERNOR'S COUNCIL OR CEO OF OPPORTUNITIES UNLIMITED. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN A LEADER, EVEN INCLUDING THE CAPTAIN OF A BASKETBALL TEAM. MY PEERS HAVE IDENTIFIED ME AS A LEADER AND I'M READY TOSTEP UP TO THE CHALLENGE FOR THE STATE OF IOWA.

NEXT IS MR. GROSS, YOU MAY ASK MR. VANDER PLAATS A QUESTION.

BOB, COULD YOU TELL US -- THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY FEEL WENEED SENTENCING REFORM IN IOWA BECAUSE OF PRISON OVERCROWDING AND ISSUES RELATED TO THAT. SPECIFICALLY, WHAT'S YOUR POSITION ON MANDATORY MINIMUMSENTENCES?

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES AND OUR PRISON SYSTEM. IT'S A SAD COMMENTARY THAT THE PRISON INDUSTRIES IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING INDUSTRIES IN THE STATE OF IOWA. WE'RE BLESSED THAT WE HAVE LOW CRIME RATE. WE'RE BLESSED THAT WE SPEND THE LEAST AMOUNT OF MANY OTHER STATES ON CRIME. THE WAY WE REALLY GET TO RESTRUCTURING OUR PRISON SYSTEM IS THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HAVING A TAX STRUCTURE THAT'S PRO FAMILY, BEING TOUGH ON VIOLENT CRIME AND CRIMES AGAINST OUR CHILDREN, AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE'S STRUCTURE AND DISCIPLINE WITHIN THE PRISONSYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW WE'RE TOUGH ON CRIME. BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO ADDRESS THE WAR ON DRUGS, THE SUPPLY SIDE AND ALSO THE DEMAND SIDE. AND FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAUGHT UP IN ILLICIT DRUGS BUT NOT INVOLVED IN VIOLENT CRIME, I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TAKE A LOOK AT HOW WE REHABILITATE AND REINTEGRATE THOSE PEOPLE BACK INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. SO, YES, WE NEED TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME BUT WE ALSO NEED TO BE SMART WITH CRIME.

MR. GROSS CAN RESPOND.

I'M NOT REALLY SURE AFTER LISTENING TO THE RESPONSE WHETHEROR NOT HE'S IN FAVOR OF REDUCING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR MANDATORY MINIMUMS OR NOT. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A NUMBER OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS WHERE THEY HAVE TO SERVE OUT 85% OF THE SENTENCE AND I THINK THAT'S APPROPRIATE. WE ALSO HAVE 87% OF THE PEOPLE IN OUR SYSTEM THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR PAROLE, SO REDUCING THE SENTENCES BY ELIMINATING MANDATORY MINIMUMS I DON'T THINK IS THE APPROPRIATE APPROACH. RATHER WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT RISK ASSESSMENTS. IF THEY'RE NOT A RISK TO SOCIETY, WE CAN RELIEVE SOME OF THE BURDEN ON OUR PRISON FACILITIES TODAY.

NOW, MR. GROSS, YOU CAN ASK MR. SUKUP A QUESTION.

OKAY.

STEVE, YOU VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE VISION IOWA PROGRAM WHICH SPENDS THE GAMBLING DOLLARS FOR PROJECTS IN CERTAIN LOCAL AREAS. DO YOU THINK THAT PROGRAM HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED APPROPRIATELY AND WOULD YOU VOTE TO EXPAND IT?

AT THIS CURRENT TIME, I THINK OUR VISION IOWA PROGRAM WITH THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN INITIATED WILL HAVE SOME POSITIVE IMPACT ACROSS IOWA. I BELIEVE WE NEED TO HAVE A TIME HERE THAT WE EVALUATE WHAT HAS BEEN GIVEN OUT. RIGHT NOW WITH THE BUDGET SITUATION, WE DON'T HAVE DOLLARS TO EXPAND VISION IOWA. I DO QUESTION SOME OF THE MANAGEMENT, SEEMS LIKE THEBOARD HAS BECOME MORE OF A DIRECTOR TO DIFFERENT COUNTY AND CITY OFFICIALS THAN SHOULD BE BUT I BELIEVE OVERALL, VISION IOWA WILL HAVE A POSITIVE IMPACT. DOLLARS THAT WERE GOING TO STAY IN THE STATE GOVERNMENT CONTINUE TO BUILD THE SNOWBALL ARE NOW GOING OUT ACROSS IOWA AND HOPEFULLY ADDING TO THEQUALITY OF LIFE THAT WE CAN ENJOY IN OUR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.

MR. GROSS, 30 SECONDS TO RESPOND.

ONE OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT THE VISION IOWA PROGRAM IS THE EXTENT THAT WHAT STATE GOVERNMENT HAS DONE IS PICKED WINNERS AND LOSERS AMONG COMMUNITIES AND TO SOME EXTENT WHO THOSE WINNERS AND LOSERS ARE DEPENDS UPON WHETHER THEY HAVE GAMING DOLLARS IN THEIR COMMUNITIES.THOSE ARE THE WINNERS, THE LOSERS ARE THE ONES WITHOUT THAT ABILITY. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT THAT AND MAKE CERTAIN EVERYBODY ACROSS THE STATE CAN BENEFIT AND WE ESTABLISH A NEW TEST, DOES IT HELP GROW INCOMES, PRIVATE SECTOR INCOMES IN IOWA. IT NEEDS TO MEET THAT TEST.

MR. VANDER PLAATS, YOU MAY ASK MR. GROSS.

DOUG, RIGHT AFTER LEAVING GOVERNOR BRANSTAD'S OFFICE, YOU WERE TIED UP IN A SERIES OF STORIES IN THE DES MOINESREGISTER, ENTITLED GROSSGATE, AND NOW MR. SUKUP TIES YOU TO THE CONTROVERSIAL JACK DECOSTER. THE DES MOINES REGISTER SAYS YOU'VE BEEN LESS THAN TRUTHFUL COMING FORTH WITH YOUR ANSWERS. MY QUESTION IS HOW WILL YOUTOLD GOVERNOR VILSACK'S TOES TO THE FIRE IF HE CAN IMMERSE YOU IN YOUR RECORD IN THE FIRE?

BOB, I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY DURING THE COURSEOF MY PRIVATE CAREER TO WORK WITH BUSINESSES ACROSS THE STATE OF IOWA, TO HELP THEM REALIZE THEIR DREAMS AND GROW JOBS IN THE STATE OF IOWA. YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M PROUD OF IT. I WON'T APOLOGIZE FOR IT. I'M CERTAINLY NOT GOING TOAPOLOGIZE FOR KNOWING HOW TO GET THINGS DONE BECAUSE LORD KNOWS WE NEED A GOVERNOR WHO CAN GET THINGS DONE, NOT JUST TALK ABOUT THINGS ALL THE TIME. I'VE GOT A RECORD IN THE COURSE OF MY LIFE OF BEING GOOD TO MY KIDS AND BEING A ROLE MODEL FOR MY KIDS AND THE KIDS I'VE COACHED OVER THE PAST 16 YEARS. AND I'M PROUD OF WHAT I'VE DONE IN MY LIFE. I'VE BEEN A SUCCESS IN MY LIFE AND I WON'T APOLOGIZE FOR BEING A SUCCESS. BECAUSE I THINK IF MORE PEOPLE IN IOWA STROVE TO BE A SUCCESS, WE'D HAVE A MUCH BETTER STATE. I WANT TO HELP PULL THOSE PEOPLE UP WHO TODAY, TODAY DON'T HAVE THE KIND OF INCOMESTHEY NEED TO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES HERE SO THEY CAN STAY HERE AND LIVE HERE AND WORK HERE.

MR. VANDER PLAATS, 30 SECONDS, IF YOU WISH.

I APPLAUD DOUG FOR BEING A GOOD FAMILY MAN. HOWEVER, WHEN I WAS RAISED, ONE OF THE LESSONS I WAS TAUGHT, BOB, WHERE THERE IS SMOKE, THERE IS FIRE. PART OF THIS REPUBLICAN PRIMARY IS THAT WE'RE CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE MORE GROSS LOGS TO BE PUT ON THAT RAGING FIRE. THIS ELECTION IS TOO IMPORTANT. WE NEED TO WIN ON NOVEMBER 5 AND WE NEED TO HAVE THE BEST CANDIDATE THERE TO WIN ON NOVEMBER 5, SO WE CAN THEN AGAIN LEAD.

BACK TO MR. SUKUP AND YOU CAN ASK MR. VANDER PLAATS.

THANK YOU. DURING THE CAMPAIGN, YOU CALLED MY PLAN OF ELIMINATING TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSIONS A GIMMICK. RIGHT NOW WE'RE EXPORTING OUT SENIOR CITIZENS OUT OF THE STATE. WHAT PLAN DO YOU HAVE?

THE REASON I REFERRED TO YOUR PLAN ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AS A GIMMICK, STEVE, IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE SERVED IN THIS LEGISLATURE FOR EIGHT YEARS AND YOU'VE HELD A LEADERSHIP POSITION IN THIS LEGISLATURE. IF THIS WAS REALLY A PRIORITY OF YOURS, WHY NOT MOVE ON IT SOONER? IT'S KIND OF LIKE THE EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVE YOU JUST HAVE PUT OUT, AS WELL, THE ONE THAT'S GOING TO HAVE OUR READING SCORES LEAP-FROG. IF THAT WAS SUCH AN IMPORTANT PLAN, WHY COULDN'T YOU GET IT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND WHY NOT DO IT AT THAT TIME VERSUS WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL. LEADERSHIP IS ABOUT GETTING THINGS DONE. MOTIVATING AND INSPIRING PEOPLE AROUND THE MESSAGE THATYOU HAVE AND THEN PASSING IT. BUT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE RUNNING FOR HIGHER OFFICE, WE HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. SOME OF THOSE ANSWERS, I THINK, COULD HAVE BEEN FOUND IN THE EIGHT YEARS WHILE YOU WERE A LEGISLATOR.

WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING SOME OF THOSE ANSWERS, WE HAVE STARTED HAVING MORE OF THE PENSIONS THAT -- DEDUCTED IN THE LEGISLATURE BUT WE NEED TO CLOSE THE LOOP AND IT'S ONE OF THOSE PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN AND OFFERING SPECIFICS. YES, YOU CAN GET CRITICIZED WHEN YOU OFFER SPECIFICS AND THAT'S WHAT I DO. WE NEED TO ELIMINATE THE TAXES ON SOCIAL SECURITY AND PENSION BENEFITS SO THAT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS STAY HERE IN IOWA.

WE'LL HAVE ONE MORE ROUND OF CANDIDATE-TO-CANDIDATE QUESTIONS, STARTING WITH MR. SUKUP ASKING MR. GROSS A QUESTION.

THANK YOU. DOUG, AT OUR LAST DEBATE, I ASKED YOU A QUESTION ABOUT YOUR LOBBYING EFFORTS IN REGARD TO NEVADA GAMBLING INTERESTS.YOU INTERRUPTED ME DURING THE QUESTION. YOU SAID YOU HAD NEVER REPRESENTED ANYBODY OVER THERE AND TOLD ME TO GET MY FACTS STRAIGHT. DOUG, I DID HAVE MY FACTS STRAIGHT. WHAT IS THE REST OF THE STORY WITH LOBBYING FOR GAMING INSTITUTIONS?

WELL, STEVE, AS I INDICATED TO YOU, WHEN I -- WHEN YOU ASKED THAT QUESTION, I FELT YOU WERE REFERRING TO A PREVIOUS ATTACK YOU HAD MADE ON ME RELATIVE TO A GROUP OF DUBUQUE INVESTORS WHERE I WORKED WITH THEM TO HELP MAKE CERTAIN WE SAVED ABOUT 500 JOBS UP THERE. STEVE, IT'S INTERESTING, PEOPLE ATTACKING ME ABOUT MY CLIENTS. IT WOULD BE SIMILAR TO PEOPLE ATTACKING YOU FOR THE CUSTOMERS YOUR COMPANY HAS. YOU KNOW, NO ONE ATTACKS TOM VILSACK FOR BEING A METH DEALER EVEN THOUGH ONE TIME HE WAS CALLED UPON TO REPRESENT A METH DEALER AND NO ONE SHOULD ATTACK HIM FOR THAT BECAUSE THAT'S LUDICROUS AND WE ALL KNOW IT. I'M DOUG GROSS, A SUCCESSFULATTORNEY, A FATHER OF FIVE, AND I DO MY BEST IN MY COMMUNITY EVERY DAY. AND I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE FOR PEOPLE TO TRY TO INDICATE THAT I AM WHO MY CLIENT IS, OR WHO A PARTICULAR CLIENT IS BECAUSE AN ATTORNEY IS SUPPOSED TO BE AN AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATIVE NOR THEIR CLIENT. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS BE AN AGGRESSIVE REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF IOWA, THAT'S WHY I'M RUNNING FOR GOVERNOR.

TIME IS UP. MR. SUKUP, YOU CAN RESPOND.

THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CLIENT AND A LOBBYING EFFORT. THE GAMING INSTITUTIONS THAT I HAD MENTIONED WERE LOBBYING EFFORTS THAT YOU HAD MADE ON THEIR BEHALF. I'M PROUD OF MY RECORD AND I THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT AS YOU'VE LOBBIED STATE GOVERNMENT FOR CHANGES, THAT WE'RE STRAIGHTFORWARD WITHTHEM.

BACK TO MR. VANDER PLAATS, ASKING MR. SUKUP.

STEVE, LEADERSHIP IS ALSO ABOUT RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. GOVERNOR VILSACK CALLED A SPECIAL SESSION ON APRIL 22, AND I KNOW THAT YOU WEREN'T IN DES MOINES BUT YOU WERE IN SIOUX CITY ON "OPEN LINE" WITH RANDY RENSHAW AND THE NOON ROTARY IN SIOUX CITY. WHY WAS IT THAT THE CAMPAIGN INTEREST TOOK PRECEDENCE OVER THE RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR CONSTITUENTS?

I WAS AT THAT LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SORRY I DIDN'T NOTIFY YOU I WAS GOING TO BE IN YOUR BACKYARD WITH THOSE DIFFERENT EVENTS THERE, BUT WITH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, IT JUST PROVED WHAT TOM VILSACK, THERE WAS NO GAME PLAN, NOTHING GOING TO BE ACCOMPLISHED AND I WAS ABLE TO GET BACK IN ORDER TO SAY ADJOURN, AND THAT WAS THE ENTIRE EVENT OF THE WHOLE DAY. GOVERNOR VILSACK DIDN'T HAVE A GAME PLAN, HE OFFERED NOT WORKING WITH ANYBODY, WE HAD A STALEMATE IN GOVERNMENT AND REGRETTABLY, GOVERNOR VILSACK AT THAT POINT HAS SHOWN ALL OF IOWA THAT HE'S NOT READY TO MANAGE THE STATE.

MR. VANDER PLAATS, YOU CAN RESPOND.

I FOUND OUT QUICKLY THAT YOU WERE IN MY BACKYARD AND I THINK WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SEEN IS YOU PROVIDE LEADERSHIP IN THAT SPECIAL SESSION, PROVIDE LEADERSHIP FOR THE LEGISLATORS, REPRESENT THE CONSTITUENTS THAT YOU HAD THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. MY OTHER QUESTION WOULD BE TO YOU, IS WILL YOU BE ABLE TO SHOW UP ON MAY 28th WHEN WE HAVE ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION? WE NEED TO REPRESENT THE INTERESTS AND HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE IF WE'RE REALLY GOING TO BE LEADERS HERE.

TIME FOR MR. GROSS TO ASK MR. VANDER PLAATS A QUESTION.

BOB, THERE WAS A LANDMARK PERFORMANCE-BASE PAY PLAN PASSED FOR TEACHERS IN IOWA. DO YOU SUPPORT THAT PLAN AND WOULD YOU SPORT IMPLEMENTING IT?

AS A FORMER EDUCATOR, I'M DEEPLY COMMITTED TO OUR TEACHERS, TO ATTRACTING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST AND TO RETAINING THE BEST AND BRIGHTEST. BUT I DON'T THINK MORE STATE MANDATED PROGRAMS IS THE WAY TO GO. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS OUR COSTS FOR EDUCATION RISE DRAMATICALLY AND, YET, THE MONEY IS NOT GETTING INSIDE THE CLASSROOM GETTING TO THE STUDENT AND CERTAINLY NOT HOLDING THEIR FEET TO THE FIRE IN REGARDS TO THEIR STUDENT TEST SCORES. MY KIDS COULD BLOW AWAY ANY STANDARDIZED TEST IN SPITE OF THE WORST TEACHER BUT IF AN EVENT HAPPENED IN OUR LIFE, IF DARLA AND I WERE TO GET A DIVORCE OR I WERE IN A CAR CRASH OR DARLA WERE TO GET CANCER, EVERYBODY IS UP FOR GRABS AT THAT TIME ON HOW THEY'LL DO ON THOSE LESS TESTS. I WANT TO PUT LOCAL CONTROL BACK TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS. LET RESEARCH AND DESIGN WORK, LET INNOVATION AND CREATIVITY WORK AND LET THE BEST RISE TO THE TOP SO WE CAN LEARN FROM ANOTHER. I'M ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

MR. GROSS CAN RESPOND.

YOU KNOW, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO COACH HERE THE BUSINESS COUNCIL FOR EDUCATION REFORM TO DEVELOP A PERFORMANCE-BASED PAY PLAN THAT WOULD MAKE IOWA THE FIRST STATE IN THE COUNTRY TO PAY TEACHERS ON THE BASIS OF PERFORMANCE INSTEAD OF BASED ON HOW LONG THEY'VE SERVED. IT'S REAL IMPORTANT WHEN YOU PAY PEOPLE BASED ON SENIORITY ALONE, ALL YOU GET IS PEOPLE WHO WANT TO ATTEMPT TO STAY. IF YOU PAY THEM BASED ON HOW WELL THEY DO AND HOW WELL THEIR KIDS DO, WE'LL IMPROVE PERFORMANCE IN OUR SCHOOLS AND THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

MR. GROSS, YOU CAN ASK MR. SUKUP A QUESTION.

STEVE, YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY DURING THE LEGISLATIVE CAREER TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF SALARY INCREASES FOR STATE EMPLOYEES FIVE DIFFERENT TIMES. AND RIGHT NOW, ONE OF THE BIG PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH REDUCING OUR STATE'S BUDGET AND OUR SPENDING IS THE SALARY INCREASES. IN FACT, THE ONE THAT'S GOING INTO PLACE RIGHT NOW YOU VOTED FOR. DO YOU THINK THAT WAS A MISTAKE AND DO YOU REGRET THAT ACTION?

WELL, ON THE FIRST FOUR SALARY INCREASES, THEY WERE WITH GOVERNOR BRANSTAD, AND IT'S ONE THAT WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK, WE'VE SEEN THE SPENDING ESCALATE. IN THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF GOVERNOR VILSACK'S SALARY PACKAGES, THEY WERE EQUAL TO THE FIRST FOUR -- THE LAST FOUR YEARS OF GOVERNOR BRANSTAD. WE HAVE HAD SALARY INCREASES, WE HAVE HARD-WORKING STATE EMPLOYEES. WE EXPECT THE GOVERNOR TO STEP FORWARD AND WE HAVE A BUDGET SITUATION AND BE ABLE TO TACKLE IT. FOR THE FIRST -- FOR THE LAST ONE AND A HALF YEARS, WE'VE BEEN TELLING GOVERNOR VILSACK TO STOP SPENDING. HE CONTINUALLY -- WE SENT SPENDING REDUCTIONS DOWN TO HIM AND WHAT HAS HE DONE, VETOED IT. THIS NEXT SESSION, WE'LL BE PUTTING MORE BILLS TO HIM TO CUT THE SPENDING AND WE'LL HAVE A NEW GOVERNOR NEXT JANUARY.

MR. GROSS CAN RESPOND.

WELL, IT'S CLEAR ONE OF THE MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH OUR STATE GOVERNMENT SPENDING IS THE FACT GOVERNOR VILSACK NEGOTIATED A SALARY AND BENEFIT PACKAGES THAT APPROACHES DOUBLE DIGIT NEXT YEAR AND I SUGGEST, I'VE SUGGESTED FOR SOME TIME THAT ONE OF THE FIRST STEPS A GOVERNOR OUGHT TO TAKE IS FREEZE SALARIES. AT A TIME WHEN YOU'RE LAYING PEOPLE OFF, FURLOUGHING PEOPLE, YOU DON'T GIVE THE REMAINING PEOPLE BENEFIT AND SALARY INCREASES. I THINK STEVE'S VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE SALARY INCREASE THAT WENT INTO EFFECT THIS FISCAL YEAR WAS A MISTAKE.

WE'LL MOVE TO MR. VANDER PLAATS AND YOU CAN ASK MR. GROSS A QUESTION.

DOUG, AFTER YOUR DES MOINES REGISTER EDITORIAL INTERVIEW THERE WAS A REPORT IN THE NEXT DAY'S PAPER AND THEY HAVE YOU QUOTED AS SAYING, "I'VE ALWAYS KNOWN IOWANS. IF YOU PROVIDE THEM WITH AN ECONOMIC INCENTIVE, IF YOU PUT A DOLLAR BILL ON THE TABLE, IT CHANGES THEIR BEHAVIOR ASSOCIATED WITH THAT." IS YOUR PLAN AS GOVERNOR TO MANIPULATE IOWANS IN CHANGING THEIR BEHAVIORS WITH THEIR OWN MONEY?

ABSOLUTELY NOT, BOB. DESPITE THE FACT THAT I WAS INARTICULATE IN THAT QUOTE, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU WHAT THAT MEANS. [LAUGHTER]

WHAT I MEAN IS STATE GOVERNMENT RATHER THAN MANDATING REORGANIZATION OF COUNTIES OR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THINKING THAT STATE GOVERNMENT KNOWS ALL, INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, WHAT THE STATE GOVERNMENT OUGHT TO DO IS PROVIDE INCENTIVES AND ASSISTANCE TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS SO THAT IF THEY WISH TO COMBINE SERVICES, BUILD A REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, THE STATE OUGHT TO HELP THEM GET IT DONE. WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW IS REALLY INEQUITIES BETWEEN RURAL AND URBAN SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN TERMS OF ACCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE DOLLARS AND I THINK THE STATE BEARS A RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

RESPONSE FROM MR. VANDER PLAATS.

FIRST OF ALL, AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, I GUARANTEE THAT I WILL NOT MANIUPLATE IOWANS WITH THEIR OWN MONEY. WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE LOCAL LEVELS, THEY REALLY DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO CHARTER THEIR OWN DESTINY. THEY NEED TO HAVE THAT CONTROL. THEY DON'T NEED A GOVERNMENT TO PLAY BIG BROTHER ON THEM. IT'S A STRUCTURAL ISSUE HERE. PUT IN THE FOUNDATION SO PEOPLE CAN DREAM, COMPETE AND THRIVE AND WITH THE LOCAL LEVEL.

FOR THE LAST CANDIDATE-TO-CANDIDATE QUESTION, WE TURN TO MR. SUKUP WHO WILL ASK MR. VANDER PLAATS.

THANK YOU, PAUL. YOU MENTIONED EARLIER ABOUT SOME SPECIFICS I HAD ON A READING PROGRAM. I'VE LISTENED FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF, BOB, YOU TALK ABOUT TEACHERS TEACH, ADMINISTRATORS ADMINISTRATE, WHAT SPECIFIC PROGRAMS WOULD YOU PUT IN PLACE IN OUR SCHOOLS TO CHANGE? WHICH ONES WOULD YOU ELIMINATE, WHICH ONES WOULD YOU CHANGE TO HAVE AN IMPACT IN THE CLASSROOM FOR THE CHILDREN?

THE BIGGEST THING I DO, STEVE, IS CHANGE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DID AT THE LEGISLATURE. I'D RETURN FUNDING TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS TO WHERE THEY REALLY CAN CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY. TODAY, WE HAVE SCHOOL INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING, WE HAVE TEACHER SALARY FUNDING, WE HAVE TALENTED AND GIFTED FUNDING, WE HAVE AT-RISK FUNDING, CLASSROOM SIZE FUNDING, WE HAVE TECHNOLOGY FUNDING, ALL SEPARATED FUNDING STREAMS GOING BACK TO THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD. AND HERE'S THE DEAL WITH THAT. FIRST THEY NEED TO JUMP THE BUREAUCRATIC HOOP IN ORDER TO GET THE MONEY, AND THEN THEY'RE TOLD HOW TO SPEND THE MONEY. AND WHAT THAT DOES, IN FACT, IS THEY HAVE NO WAY TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS. YOU SEE, SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SMARTER THAN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR. ALLOW THIS ENVIRONMENT TO BE ENERGIZED WITH CREATIVITY WHERE THEY CAN LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER, SO SHELDON CAN LEARN FROM DENISSON, SO ON, SO ON, SO WE HAVE THE BEST EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE WORLD AGAIN.

MR. SUKUP CAN RESPOND.

THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE IT WAS SUPERINTENDENT SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS THAT ASKED US, PUT IN A SCHOOL TECHNOLOGY FUND SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT OUR STUDENTS HAVE COMPUTERS IN THEIR CLASSROOM. CHANGE THE INFRASTRUCTURE SO WE CAN HAVE SOME DOLLARS FLOWING INTO IT. WE RESPONDED TO THE NEEDS OF OUR SUPERINTENDENTS AND SCHOOL BOARDS AND WERE SEEING SOME OF THE RESULTS.

THANK YOU.

THIS CONCLUDES OUR CANDIDATE-TO-CANDIDATE SECTION. WE'VE COME TO THE PORTION OF THE DEBATE WHERE WE WILL ALLOW TWO REGISTER REPORTERS TO ASK FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES. THE FIRST QUESTION WILL COME FROM REGISTER LEGISLATIVE REPORTER LYNN OKAMOTO, WHO WILL ASK A QUESTION OF MR. VANDER PLAATS.

MR. VANDER PLAATS, I BELIEVE YOU'VE BEEN CAMPAIGNING IN THIS RACE THE LONGEST. YET, A RECENT POLL AND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORT WOULD SEEM TO SUGGEST THAT YOU'RE TRAILING QUITE A BIT. ARE YOU DISCOURAGED BY THIS AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO GET BACK INTO THE RACE?

FIRST OF ALL, I'M NOT DISCOURAGED AT ALL AND I DON'T THINK I'M GETTING BACK INTO THE RACE, I THINK I AM IN THE RACE. WE'VE BUILT AN UNBELIEVABLE ORGANIZATION, RIVER TO RIVER, BORDER TO BORDER AND THIS IN THE PRIMARY IS GETTING YOUR PEOPLE OUT TO VOTE. WE WILL SHOW ON REPORTING DATE, WHICH IS, I BELIEVE, TUESDAY, THAT WE HAVE OVER $100,000 CASH ON HAND FOR THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS OF THIS CAMPAIGN. WE'RE READY TO PUSH THIS RACE TO THE DISTANCE AND WE'RE READY TO WIN ON JUNE 4. THE BIG THING, LYNN, IS, WILL IOWA BE DISCOURAGED ON JUNE 4? THIS IS ABOUT WINNING ON NOVEMBER 5 AND I'VE GIVEN IOWANS A CLEAR CHOICE ON WHO IS THE BEST CANDIDATE TO WIN ON NOVEMBER 5. MY RECORD IS OF SERVICE TO OTHERS WITH EXCELLENCE, BUT UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF ECONOMIC INTEGRITY. I WILL BE ABLE TO WIN AND I'LL BE ABLE TO WIN ON JUNE 4 AS WELL AS ON NOVEMBER 5. SO I'M NOT TIRED, I'M INSPIRED.

THANK YOU. OUR SECOND REPORTER TO ASK A QUESTION IS REGISTER POLITICAL REPORTER, TOM BEAUMONT. HE WILL ASK A QUESTION TO MR. SUKUP.

MR. SUKUP, YOU'RE THE FIRST CANDIDATE TO RUN AN AD IN THIS CAMPAIGN CRITICIZING ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS IN THE PRIMARY, MR. GROSS. HOW CAN VOTERS EXPECT YOU TO END PARTISAN FIGHTING AT THE CAPITOL WHEN YOU'RE ATTACKING A MEMBER OF YOUR OWN PARTY DURING THE PRIMARY?

WELL, FIRST OF ALL, OUR ADS WERE FAIR AND ACCURATE AND YOU'VE SEEN THE RESULTS OF IT TODAY. BACKTRACKING ON THE OTHER CAMPAIGN. OUR ADS ARE GOING TO LAY OUT THE FACTS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE ACCURATE AND PERTINENT TO THE DISCUSSION. THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY IS CRITICAL TO IOWA AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE CANDIDATES BEING FORTHRIGHT WITH WHO THEY REPRESENTED AND LOBBIED FOR. WE'LL CONTINUE TO RUN A CAMPAIGN, WE'RE CAMPAIGNING TO WIN AND WE'LL GET IT DONE.

THANK YOU. MS. OKAMOTO WILL ASK THE NEXT QUESTION OF MR. GROSS.

HI, MR. GROSS. YOU'VE BEEN CRITICIZING GOVERNOR VILSACK FOR FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT, YET AT LEAST 40 STATES ARE FACING BUDGET SHORTFALLS INCLUDING MANY WITH REPUBLICAN GOVERNORS. IS IT FAIR TO PLACE THE BLAME ON THE GOVERNOR?

IT'S FAIR TO PLACE 90% OF IT, MAYBE NOT 100. IF YOU LOOK AT IT – THE LATEST BUDGET PROBLEM WE HAVE IN IOWA AND SEEMS LIKE WE HAVE A BUDGET DU JOUR WITH GOVERNOR VILSACK, WE HAVE ABOUT 400 MILLION DOLLARS THAT NEEDS TO BE MADE UP IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR AND NEXT. I'VE ADDED UP ALL THE ONE-TIME MONEY IF THEY DON'T CUT SPENDING AS A RESULT OF THE BUDGET PROBLEMS, THE STATE OF IOWA WILL FACE A BILLION-DOLLAR BUDGET PROBLEM IN FISCAL YEAR '04. NOW, HE STARTED WITH 943 MILLION IN THE BANK. HE'S GOT A BILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT LEGACY. I LOOKED AT IT AND ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL COUNCIL OF STATE LEGISLATURE, THEY DID A SURVEY, THAT MAKES IOWA THE TOTAL PROPORTION OF THE BUDGET DEFICIT IS WORSE THAN ALL BUT ALASKA. THAT'S NOT A RECORD I'D WANT TO RUN ON.

ANOTHER QUESTION FROM TOM BEAUMONT AND IT WILL GO TO ALL THE CANDIDATES. YOU WILL EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE TO ANSWER, BEGINNING WITH MR. SUKUP.

HAD YOU BEEN GOVERNOR, WOULD YOU HAVE SIGNED THE LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENT BILL THAT CLEARED THE LEGISLATURE LAST SESSION AND CONSIDERING WE'RE HEARING QUITE A BIT ABOUT LOCAL CONTROL THIS AFTERNOON, WOULD YOU HAVE, AS GOVERNOR, ARGUED FOR MORE LOCAL CONTROL OF LARGE-SCALE HOG AND LIVESTOCK CONFINEMENTS?

I DID VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE LIVESTOCK BILL AND I WOULD HAVE SIGNED IT AS GOVERNOR. I THINK IT WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT. LIVESTOCK IS WHAT'S PROVIDING THE PROFIT IN FARMING RIGHT NOW. IT'S A CRITICAL INDUSTRY TO OUR STATE. BUT THE PROBLEM IS, WE'VE HAD ONE OR TWO INDIVIDUALS OUT THERE CREATING A NIGHTMARE AND TARNISHING THE RECORD OF OUR GOOD PORK PRODUCERS. THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP IN THE BILL DOES MAKE THE COUNTIES AND THE STATE WORK CLOSER TOGETHER. AND NOW INSTEAD OF WHEN A LARGE FACILITY IS LOOKING AT LOCATING, THERE IS SOMEBODY ELSE BESIDES THE PRODUCER GIVING THE FINAL OKAY. SOMEBODY FROM THE COUNTY AND WORKING WITH THE DNR TO SAY YES OR NO TO THE PROCESS. I THINK IT WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT. I BELIEVE IT WILL HELP THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY OVERALL AND IT'S CRITICAL TO OUR STATE.

SAME QUESTION TO DOUG GROSS.

I WOULD HAVE MADE CERTAIN I DIDN'T HAVE A LIVESTOCK BILL LIKE THAT COME TO MY DESK. IT DOES SOME GOOD THINGS, PUTTING IN A PHOSPHOROUS STANDARD, DEALING WITH SEPERATION ISSUES, AND CONCENTRATION ISSUES, BUT THERE IS ONE PROVISION OF THAT BILL THAT INSTITUTIONALIZED CONFLICT IN IOWA BY BASICALLY SAYING WE WANT YOU TO DEVELOP A SOCIAL MATRIX ANY TIME A LIVESTOCK PRODUCER WANTS TO EXPAND OR GROW THEIR OPERATION. NOW, A SOCIAL MATRIX. WE'VE NEVER DONE THAT IN IOWA BEFORE. WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO INSTEAD IS HAVE REAL LOCAL CONTROL ON THIS ISSUE IN A WAY THAT RESOLVES THIS ISSUE. IF I WERE GOVERNOR, I'D BRING THE IOWA ENVIRONMENTAL COUNCIL AND BRING LOCAL OFFICIALS AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS IN MY OFFICE AND KEEP THE DOORS OPEN SO EVERYBODY WOULD SEE WHAT WE WERE UP TO. I'D SIT DOWN AND WORK OUT THIS PROBLEM. WHAT WE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DO IS PUT TOGETHER A PLAN THAT HAS NEGATIVE ZONING WITH STATE STANDARDS ASSOCIATED WITH IT SO THAT LOCAL OFFICIALS HAVE IMPACT ON WHERE THE FACILITIES GO AND LIVESTOCK PRODUCERS CAN HAVE A STABLE REGULATORY STRUCTURE. IF WE DON'T SOLVE THIS PROBLEM SOON, WE'LL LOSE THE LIVESTOCK INDUSTRY.

THANK YOU. THE SAME QUESTION TO BOB VANDER PLAATS.

I APPLAUD THOSE WHO WORKED IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER ON THIS LIVESTOCK BILL. BUT NO, I WOULD NOT HAVE SIGNED IT. MY CONCERN WITH THE LIVESTOCK BILL IS THAT WE'RE TAKING A ONE BRUSH TO THE ENTIRE INDUSTRY BECAUSE OF THE FAULT OF A FEW. WE'VE HAD SOME PEOPLE EXPLOIT THIS INDUSTRY AND WHO SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM OUR STATE. IT'S KIND OF LIKE WHEN I WAS IN EDUCATION AND A KID WOULD BE MISBEHAVING IN CLASS, AND PRETTY SOON YOU PUNISH THE ENTIRE CLASS FOR THE MISBEHAVIOR OF ONE AND THAT'S NOT FAIR. DEAL WITH THE ONE THAT'SMISBEHAVING. I THINK AGRICULTURE IS A HUGE DEAL IN THE STATE OF IOWA, AMULTI-BILLION-DOLLAR INDUSTRY. WE NEED HAVE TO HAVE THE INDUSTRY NOT ONLY EXIST BUT THRIVE AND IN BALANCE WITH THE HARMONY OF THE ENVIRONMENT. WE NEED TO HAVE THE BEST OF CREDIBLE DATA, THE BEST OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND THEBEST OF TECHNOLOGY IN APPLYING THE METHODS SO THAT AGRICULTURE THRIVES BUT IN BALANCE WITH ENVIRONMENT.

THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW RETURN TO QUESTIONSFROM REGISTER READERS. BOB CHRISTIANSEN, PRESIDENT OF THE MARSHALLTOWNCOMMUNITY SCHOOL BOARD ASKS: WHAT STATE FUNDING SOLUTIONS DO YOU PROPOSE TO ENSURE THAT STUDENTS CONTINUE TO HAVE HIGH AND EQUITABLE ACHIEVEMENT?"WE BEGIN THIS ROUND WITH MR. VANDER PLAATS, WHO WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE.

BEING AN EDUCATOR, I DID AN EDUCATIONAL TOUR ON THIS CAMPAIGN TRAIL. I VISITED WITH REGENT UNIVERSITIES, PRIVATE COLLEGES, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, K-12, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, EARLY CHILDHOOD, AND PRESCHOOL. I ASKED THEM ALL THE SAME QUESTION, WHAT CAN WE DO TO FUNDAMENTALLY ENHANCE EDUCATION IN THE STATE OF IOWA. IT BOILED DOWN TO TWO THINGS. NUMBER ONE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. HAVE THE GOLDEN GOOSE ABLE TO LAY THE GOLDEN EGG. ASK YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS TODAY, WOULD THEY RATHER BE IN GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES OR POORECONOMIC TIMES. AND THE SECOND THING IS WE NEED A GOVERNOR WHO UNDERSTANDS EDUCATION AND WHO CAN BE FOCUSED ON LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS, NOT QUICK CAMPAIGNFIXES. THE OTHER THING I'LL DO AS YOUR NEXT GOVERNOR, IS MAKE SURE WE UPHOLD EQUALITY IN STUDENTS SERVED. WE HAVE A DISPARITY GOING ON WITH THE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX. WE'LL ENSURE THAT WE HAVE EQUALITY BASED ON STUDENTSSERVED.

THE SAME QUESTION TO MR. SUKUP.

THANK YOU. BEING IN THE LEGISLATURE, JUST BECAUSE THE SESSION ENDS AND MY WIFE BEING A TEACHER FORTHE PAST 22 YEARS, THE EDUCATION DEBATE DOESN'T END WHEN I GO HOME. TWO OF THE AREAS I BELIEVE IN EDUCATION THAT WE DO HAVE TO ADDRESS IS FIRST IN ELEMENTARY, THE READING. ONE-THIRD OF OUR FOURTH GRADERS STILL CAN'T READ ORCOMPREHEND BASIC PARAGRAPH. TO ME THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE LAID OUT A READING PROGRAM, WE'RE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL, THE PARENTS AND POSSIBLY A PRIVATE SECTOR ENTITY IN ORDER TO HELP THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THECHILDREN, BE ABLE TO BRING -- COME UP TO GRADE LEVEL FOR THEIR READING.THE SECOND AREA IS IN OUR HIGH SCHOOLS. IOWA RANKS NEARLY DEAD LAST INADVANCED PLACEMENT CLASSES OFFERED TO HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS THAT ARE LOOKING ON GOING TO COMMUNITIES COLLEGES, PRIVATE COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES. WE HAVE TO RAISE THE PERCENTAGE UP SO WE HAVE OUR STUDENTS READY TO GO ON TO COLLEGE.

THE SAME QUESTION TO MR. GROSS.

WELL, MOST IMPORTANT THINGTHE STATE GOVERNMENT SPENDS MONEY ON IS EDUCATION. NOW, I WOULDN'T BE HERE AS A CANDIDATE FOR GOVERNOR TODAY IF IT WASN'T FOR SALLY CLAUS, MY HIGH SCHOOL ENGLISH TEACHER. I BET THERE ARE PEOPLE ACROSS THIS STATE WHO CAN THINK OF A TEACHER THAT MADE THAT KIND OF IMPACT ON THEIR LIVES. THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IN THE STATE OF IOWA TODAY, GOVERNOR VILSACK HAS MADE PROMISE AFTERPROMISE TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE PROMISES HE DOESN'T FULFILL.THE MOST IMPORTANT THING A GOVERNOR CAN DO IS MAKE CERTAIN THAT LOCAL SCHOOLS HAVE STABLE FUNDING SOURCES SO YOU DON'T CUT MULTIPLE TIMES DURING THE COURSE OF A YEAR. THE OTHER DAY I WAS AT HOOVER HIGH SCHOOL WHERE OUR SONS GO AND I SPOKE TO A BUSINESS LAW CLASS, THEY HAD 1988 TEXTBOOKS.THEY'RE STILL NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO UPDATE THE TEXTBOOKS. ACROSS THE STATE WE'VE BEEN GIVING PINK SLIPS TO 1,000 TEACHERS WHEN WE HAVE A PENDING TEACHER SHORTAGE. A GOVERNOR OF IOWA OUGHT TO MAKE EDUCATION THE TOPPRIORITY.

OUR NEXT READER QUESTION. DAVID HELMAN, A RETIRED WARDENIN THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF PRISONS WHO LIVES IN SALEM ASKS, GIVEN THE STATE BUDGET TROUBLES AND THE INCREASING PRISON POPULATION, HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THE ALTERNATIVES TO CONTINUED PRISON EXPANSION? YOU WILL HAVE ONE MINUTE,STARTING WITH MR. SUKUP.

A PRISON EXPANSION, WE HAVE ADDED THREE DIFFERENT PRISONS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS. RIGHT NOW, THE KEY WAS THAT IF SOMEBODY HAD A CRIME AND THEY WERE CONVICTED OF IT, WE NEEDED A PLACE FOR THEM TO GO, BEFORE THEY WOULD GO THROUGH OUR SYSTEM, ONE, TWO OR THREETIMES. NOW, IF THEY DO THE CRIME, THEY ARE DOING THE TIME. OUR PRISONS ARE GETTING FULL, WE WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH OUR DIFFERENT PRISON OFFICIALS. HAVING A DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, THOUGH, TO ARBITRARILY SET A CAP WITHOUTWORKING WITH EVERYBODY INVOLVED, I DO DISAGREE WITH. BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PUT OUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICIALS IN HARM'S WAY, EITHER. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE IF SOMEBODY DOES A VIOLENT CRIME, THEY'LL GO TO JAIL.

THANK YOU. TO MR. GROSS.

YEAH, WE'VE GOT A DIFFICULT SITUATION BECAUSE WE'VE GOT PRISON CAPACITY WELL OVER -- PRISON POPULATION WELL OVERCAPACITY OF SOME OF OUR PRISONS. YET, AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE A BUDGET CRISIS AND I DON'T WANT TO BE SPENDING MONEY ON BUILDING NEW PRISONS AT A TIME WHEN WE'RE CUTTING EDUCATION. I THINK THAT'S THE WRONG CHOICE. WHAT I THINK WE NEED TO DO IS LOOK FOR ALTERNATIVE WAYS WHERE WE CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT WITH THE USE OF OUR PRISON SYSTEM. THAT DOESN'T MEAN. CHANGING SENTENCES OR CHANGING MANDATORY MINIMUM BUT IT MEANS WE GET TOGETHER WITH THE PAROLE BOARD AND LOOK AT RISK ASSESSMENTS AND LOOK AT HOW WE'RE HOUSING THE PRISONERS AND SEE IF THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY OF THAT OPERATION. LIKE ANY LARGE ORGANIZATION, I CAN'T BELIEVE WE'VE REACHED 100% OF EFFICIENCY AND I KNOW WE CAN DO BETTER.

THANK YOU, TO MR. VANDER PLAATS.

WE MUST HAVE A CONSTANT REVIEW OF OUR PRISON FACILITIES AND CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I RECEIVED FROM DOUG THAT I HAD, WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF IOWA. THERE'S A DIRECT CORRELATION OF GOOD ECONOMIC TIMES AND LOW CRIME RATE. A LOT OF PEOPLE WOULD CITE IOWA AS A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE BECAUSE OF THE LOW CRIME RATE AND GOOD SCHOOLS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT STAYS THERE. THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO DO IS PUT IN THE TAX STRUCTURE, THAT'S PRO FAMILY. WE RANK IN THE TOP TWO OF THE COUNTRIES OF MOMS AND DADS WORKING OUTSIDE THE HOME. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE PARENTS HAVE THE CHOICE THAT ONE OF THE SPOUSES BE ALLOWED TO STAY AT HOME IF THAT BE THEIRDESIRE TO RAISE THEIR CHILDREN. WE ALSO NEED TO BE TOUGH ON CRIME. WE CAN'T JUST STOP PUTTING INMATES IN IF THEY'RE DOING THE CRIME, AS STEVE SAID, THEYDO NEED TO DO THE TIME. WE CONSTANTLY NEED TO REVIEW THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE WE'RE DOING IT THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT WAY.

THANK YOU. AND HERE IS OUR FINAL QUESTION. GEORGE THRILLKILL OF WINTERSET ASKS, PLEASE EXPLAIN YOUR POSITION ON PROVIDING MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE THROUGH HEALTH INSURANCE POLICIES. ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF MENTAL HEALTH INSURANCE PARITIES?YOU'LL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ANSWER, STARTING WITH MR. SUKUP.

WE HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE COME UP A NUMBER OF TIMES IN THE LEGISLATURE AND WE DID HAVE APROPOSAL, I BELIEVE, THAT STRUCK THE RIGHT BALANCE. IT WAS BY REPRESENTATIVE BETTY GRUNDBERG WHO THIS ISSUE IS VERY IMPORTANT TO AND REPRESENTATIVE BRAD HANSON. THEY WORKED AND FORMED A COMPROMISE. WE HAD DIFFERENT GROUPS FROM THE MENTAL HEALTH AND ABI SUPPORTING IT AND I COULD SUPPORT MIDDLE GROUND ON IT.

TO MR. GROSS.

THE APPROPRIATE WAY TO DEAL WITH MENTAL HEALTH PARTE ISSUE IS WHAT GEORGE W. BUSH IS DOING, WHERE HE'S LOOKING AT MOVING THAT FORWARDS AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. IF IOWA MOVES ABSENT WHAT OTHER STATES DO, WE COULD PUT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES AT A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE. I SUPPORT PRESIDENT BUSH'S EFFORTS TO ESTABLISH MENTAL HEALTH PARITY AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.

MR. VANDER PLAATS.

THIS MAY NOT BE A DECISION AT THE STATE LEVEL BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS OF PRESIDENT BUSH. BUT MENTAL HEALTH IS A VERY EMOTIONAL ISSUE AND THE DESTRUCTION IT CAUSES ON INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES, WE NEED TO HAVE AVENUES TO WHERE THESE PEOPLE CAN NOT ONLY BE TREATED BUT ALSO CURED. BUT I ALSO THINK WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT PUTTING MORE MANDATES ON TO OUR BUSINESS OWNERS THAT MAKE THEM LESS COMPETITIVE SO PEOPLE LOSE JOBS WHICH CREATES MENTAL HEALTH.

THANK YOU. WE'LL NOW HAVE CLOSING STATEMENTS FROM EACH OF YOU, BEGINNING WITH MR. SUKUP. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

THANK YOU, PAUL, THANK YOU TO THE DES MOINES REGISTER AND IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION FOR THE GREAT DEBATE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT IT, THE BUCK STOPS AT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. HE COLLECTS IT, AND MANAGES IT. RIGHT NOW, THE BUCK NEVER STOPS IN GOVERNOR VILSACK'S OFFICE. I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT BECAUSE I BELIEVE I AM THE BEST QUALIFIED PERSON TO MANAGE YOUR GOVERNMENT AND YOUR TAX DOLLARS. GOVERNMENT WILL RUN MORE LIKE A BUSINESS UNDER MY WATCH. WHAT I OFFER TO THE VOTERS IS 22 YEARS OF REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE, OF SOLVING PROBLEMS, BALANCING BUDGETS, NAVIGATING THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES. MY EIGHT YEARS AS A STATE REPRESENTATIVE AND WINNING FOUR ELECTIONS HAS PREPARED ME TO DEFEAT TOM VILSACK. I CAN TAKE THOSE EXPERIENCES, FROM MY PRIVATE SECTOR COMBINE IT WITH THE ONLY CANDIDATE UP HERE THAT'S ACTUALLY WON AN ELECTION AND I ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT JUNE 4th SO THAT WE CAN USE BUSINESS PRINCIPLES TO GET IOWA BACK ON TRACK.

THANK YOU. WE'LL TO GO MR. GROSS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE HAVING THEOPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU HERE TODAY. YOU KNOW, IOWA TODAY FACES A CRISIS.AS I GO ALL ACROSS THE STATE AND TALK WITH LEADERS IN EVERY COMMUNITY AROUND OUR STATE, THEY ALL TELL ME THE SAME THING. WE FACE A CRISIS. A CRISIS IN TERMS OF OUR BUDGET WITH A BILLION-DOLLAR DEFICIT WHERE THERE WAS ABILLION-DOLLAR SURPLUS. A CRISIS WITH EDUCATION WHERE WE'RE LAYING OFF TEACHERS AND RAISING -- PUTTING ALL THE COSTS OF EDUCATION ON THE BACKOF OUR STUDENTS, WHO ARE IN NEED. A CRISIS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WHERE ONLY 25 ZIP CODES IN THE WHOLE STATE OF IOWA ARE GROWING AND THE RESTARE DECLINING. GOSH, WE NEED A NEW GOVERNOR. WE NEED A NEW GOVERNOR WHO CANGET THINGS DONE, WHO'S PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS STATE, WHO LOVES THIS STATE AND IS WILLING TO DO EVERYTHING IN HIS POWER TO HELP THIS STATE GROW AGAIN. YOU KNOW, PEOPLE MAY CALL ME NAMES BUT I WANT YOU TO KNOW, I'M DOUG GROSS, I LOVE THE STATE OF IOWA AND I'LL NEVER LET YOU DOWN.

THANK YOU, AND TOMR. VANDER PLAATS.

I STARTED TODAY'S DEBATE SAYING THAT IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A NEW GOVERNOR, WE NEED TO ELECT THE CANDIDATE THAT CAN WIN ON NOVEMBER 5. WE NEED A CANDIDATE WHO CAN UNITE AND MOTIVATE THE ENTIRE REPUBLICAN PARTY, WHO CAN WIN THE INDEPENDENT MAJORITY AND WHO CAN BRING BACK THE REAGAN DEMOCRATS. MY BACKGROUND AS A BUSINESSMAN, AS AN EDUCATOR, AS A CEO AND A HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES PROFESSIONAL MAKES ME THAT CANDIDATE.TODAY WE NEED A LEADER WHO'S NOT POLITICALLY CHARGED WITH THE BAGGAGE OF THE PAST. WE NEED A LEADER WHO CAN MOVE IOWA FORWARD AGAIN. THE CHOICE HAS NEVER BEEN MORE CLEAR FOR US REPUBLICANS, IF WE'RE GOING TO WIN ON NOVEMBER 5.I'M ASKING YOU TODAY, DO NOT VOTE AGAINST MY OPPONENTS BUT FOR THE FOR VISION, VOTE FOR LEADERSHIP AND VOTE FOR WHO CAN WIN ON NOVEMBER 5, ANDTHEN YOU'LL VOTE VANDER PLAATS ON JUNE 4.

THANK YOU. THIS CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE. MR. GROSS, MR. VANDER PLAATS AND MR. SUKUP, WE APPRECIATE YOUR PARTICIPATION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, PAUL.

AND LET'S REMEMBER THOSE IMPORTANT DATES. THE REPUBLICAN GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION IS TUESDAY, JUNE 4th, AND THE GENERAL ELECTION IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5th. PLEASE EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE. ON BEHALF OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION AND THE DES MOINES REGISTER, THANKS FOR JOINING US. Captioning performed by \AY\Paradigm Reporting & Captioning \AI\Lisa Richardson, RPR, CRR

FUNDING FOR THIS PROGRAM IS PROVIDED BY FRIENDS OF IOWA PUBLIC TELEVISION, 80,000 MEMBERS SUPPORTING QUALITY PUBLIC TELEVISION PROGRAMMING.