(KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa (RI) — Various candidates for state governor and state treasurer discussed various policies this past week in debates, or on their respective campaign trails.
Democrat Rob Sand says he’d recommend a five percent increase in general state funding for public schools next year. Sand would also ask legislators to set income limits on the households that qualify for state-funded Education Savings Accounts to cover private school tuition.
Republican Zach Lahn says he’d like public schools to get a state funding increase in the next academic year, but he hasn’t settled on a number. Lahn also would maintain current law, which makes all Iowa parents eligible for state funding to cover private school costs.
As they were debating, city council in nearby Salix was approving an agreement in which Google promises to spend up to $150,000 to produce a report on the impact the company’s proposed data center would have on the community.
Lahn says data centers are going up at breakneck speed and local government officials have an opportunity to deny applications, or make certain demands.
Sand says state law should prohibit the companies developing data centers from forcing local officials to sign non-disclosure agreements or NDAs about the projects.
Sand and Lahn will debate again Wednesday night at 7 p.m. on Iowa PBS.
Republican Roby Smith says about $150 million in state money was temporarily invested in Iowa banks when he became State Treasurer four years ago.
The State Treasurer invests taxes as soon as they’re paid to the state and withdraws the funds when they’re scheduled to be spent. In the last fiscal year, Smith managed $10 billion worth of temporary investments.
John Norwood is the Democrat who’s challenging Smith’s bid for a second term. Norwood says with the state collecting a $10 billion a year in taxes — investing just a billion in Iowa financial institutions isn’t enough.
The candidates also have different views on the process used to hire the person to oversee the state-run pension system. Governor Reynolds recently appointed a new CEO for the Iowa Public Employees Retirement System, or IPERS. The previous CEO resigned and another top administrator was fired this spring after an investigation into alleged misconduct.
Norwood says the pension fund’s board of directors should be involved in selecting the CEO of IPERS.
The head of IPERS used to be hired by a state agency director. A 2003 state law gave governors authority to appoint the IPERS CEO, then two-thirds of state senators have to confirm the appointment. Smith says that process has been used when both Democrats and Republicans have been in control of state government.
Governor Reynolds says there were no financial issues involved in the alleged misconduct that led to the firing and resignation of two IPERS executives. Norwood says an IPERS employee who was fired claims in a lawsuit that investment returns have been inflated.
Smith says his focus is on maintaining the long-term strength of IPERS.
The candidates made their comments during taping of the “Iowa Press” program which aired last Friday night on Iowa PBS.
