(DES MOINES) - Senate Democrats appear to be walking away from their own demand for a 4 percent increase in state aid in fiscal years 2014 and 2015, setting schools up to potentially receive no increase in state aid over the next two years.

With their apparent lack of willingness to embrace true reform in conference committee, Senate Democrats are poised to block the governor's reform efforts, thereby putting in jeopardy their own funding demands for Iowa's schools.

"It appears that Senate Democrats are so opposed to fundamental, achievement-based reform they are willing to walk away from their own funding demand, and it is clearly putting us on a pathway to no new money for schools over the next two years," said Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht.

"For two decades, we have put more money ahead of real reforms," continued Albrecht. "For two decades, our student achievement has gone from best in the nation to middle of the pack. Governor Branstad and House Republicans are committed to breaking that cycle, and have offered a very generous spending package in order to achieve these reforms, allowing everyone to claim a great victory. Unfortunately, if Senate Democrats continue to oppose these achievement-based reforms, the only losers in this will be Iowa parents and their schoolchildren."

 

To highlight Senate Democrats' demands for new funding, which the governor and House Republicans have accommodated, the governor's office released the following video:

(DES MOINES) - Last month, state Sen. Herman Quirmbach put a price tag on the governor's education reform plan, which was 4% increase in state aid in each of the next two years. The quote:

"The price now for education reform is 4 and 4, I want the governor to know this." - Sen. Herman Quirmbach, D-Ames, chairman of the Senate Education Committee, Mason City Globe Gazette, March 6, 2013

"The Branstad administration acknowledged this, and understands this is the price for the governor's education reform," said Branstad spokesman Tim Albrecht. "We expect Senator Quirmbach to remain true to his word and support the plan put forward by House Republicans today, which included four percent growth each of the next two years, and contains the governor's education reform plan. This is a good faith compromise with the Senate Democrats' funding priorities and Republican reform priorities, and is legislation both parties in both chambers can support. The governor supports this legislation and hopes Senate Democrats will join him and Iowa House Republicans in this truly historic effort to make Iowa's schools the best in the nation once again."

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad will present the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Governor's ROTC Award for outstanding achievement to nine students from The University of Iowa, Iowa State University, Drake University, University of Dubuque, Buena Vista University, and the University of Northern Iowa.  The ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, 10:30 a.m. at the State Capitol in the Robert D. Ray Conference Room.

Wednesday, April 10, 2013 

10:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds attend Iowa ROTC Governor's Cup Ceremony

Robert D. Ray Conference Room

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

Gov. Branstad presents the awards annually to top students in nine ROTC programs at six Iowa universities.  The awards "honor the men and women for leadership, academics, and military achievement."

Receiving this year's awards will be:

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Thomas W. Bentley II, University of Iowa Army ROTC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Bentley of Chaska, Minnesota.

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Bethany M. Fischer, University of Northern Iowa Army ROTC, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Fischer of Farmington, Minnesota.

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Ryan A. Halverson, University of Dubuque Army ROTC, the son of Mr. Rick Halverson of Cassville, Wisconsin.

- Cadet Colonel Amanda M. Heller, University of Iowa Air Force ROTC, the daughter of Master Sergeant Walter Heller of Laporte, Colorado.

- Cadet Major Curtis R. Nielsen, Drake University Army ROTC, the son of Ms. Marguerite Nielsen of Carroll, Iowa.

- Cadet Major Jamie L. Oberg, Buena Vista University Army ROTC, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steve Oberg of Mapleton, Iowa.

- Midshipman First Class Jayson S. Rimer, Iowa State University Naval ROTC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Kevin Rimer of Papillion, Nebraska.

- Cadet Lieutenant Colonel Adam D. Schilling, Iowa State University Army ROTC, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Schilling of New Hampton, Iowa.

- Second Lieutenant Kevin R. Stoll, Iowa State University Air Force ROTC, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Stoll of Apple Valley, Minnesota. 

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(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad released today the Iowa Demonstration Fund Combined Economic and Fiscal Impact study. The report is a third-party review that quantifies the impact of the Demonstration Fund on the Iowa economy. The report was authored by Econosult Solutions Inc. and was commissioned by the Iowa Innovation Corporation in partnership with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Iowa Innovation Council.

VIEW THE FULL REPORT

Through a survey of past recipients of Demonstration Fund investments, information was collected to determine, among other things, how large these companies are now as compared to their pre-investment levels.  Iowans can attribute the growth in size, annual revenues and job creation in part to the technical assistance and funding provided by the Demonstration Fund.

The Demonstration Fund provides financial and technical assistance to encourage high technology prototype and concept development activities that have a clear potential to lead to commercially viable products or services within a reasonable period of time. The Demonstration Fund supports commercialization activities by small and medium-sized Iowa companies in the advanced manufacturing, biosciences, and information technology industries. The primary purpose of the fund is to help businesses with a high-growth potential reach a position where they are able to attract later stage private sector funding.

"It is essential that we have tools in place to help Iowa's high-growth, innovation-based companies succeed in our state," said Governor Branstad.  "The Demo Fund is one way we have to do that and because of this report, we know quantifiably that the state is seeing a return on that investment."

Between 2007 and 2012, the Demonstration Fund awarded $13 million to 101 companies.  The report is based on survey results received from 79 of those companies that collectively received $8.7 million. Some results of the Demonstration Fund Combined Economic and Fiscal Impact Report include :

• 600 new jobs were created by survey respondents
• $2.1 million in tax revenue was generated in 2012 alone by survey respondents
• ROI is calculated at 24%

"The success of the Demonstration Fund was the result of dedicated and motivated industry leaders from across Iowa whose vision was to grow the innovation economy by investing and mentoring emerging tech-based companies," said Chris Nelson, President and CEO of Kemin Industries and board member of the Iowa Innovation Corporation. "Those of us involved with the applicants soon learned that the real value was the mentoring with the dollars being a close second. Each recipient was asked to provide confidential feedback to the IEDA which confirmed our belief."

The creation of the Demonstration Fund was an outcome of the Iowa Innovation Council, an industry-led group that develops strategies and long-term plans to ensure that Iowa remains globally competitive in innovation-based enterprises.  The Iowa Innovation Corporation is a private non profit organization created by the Iowa Innovation Council to implement statewide innovation strategies developed by the business community to achieve the goal of "Growing Iowa's Own".

The Innovation Corporation has implemented an aggressive campaign to expand the success of companies like the Demonstration Fund recipients by fostering partnerships to create a statewide sustainable innovation network and advocating for ongoing innovation-based resources to grow Iowa's economy.

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