State of Iowa Archives: on Technology
Al Sharpton:
$250 billion infrastructure-redevelopment plan
My $250 billion infrastructure-redevelopment plan would be to put $50 billion a year to the federal deficit that would rebuild highways, tunnels, bridges, roadways, and in the name of homeland security, the ports. Like Roosevelt’s public works programs,
increasing jobs, increasing tax payers who the tax payers would pay for. We are investing in the wrong people in the country. We are investing in the rich, rather investing in working-class families giving them productive and constructive jobs.
Source: AFSCME union debate in Iowa
May 17, 2003
Bernie Sanders:
Our infrastructure is crumbling because of endless wars
Our infrastructure is crumbling. Half our people are living paycheck to paycheck. Eighty-seven million people have no health care or are uninsured or underinsured. We got 500,000 people sleeping out on the streets.
The American people are sick and tired of endless wars which have cost trillions. Our job is to rebuild the United Nations, rebuild the State Department, make sure twe have the capability to resolve international conflict diplomatically.
Source: 7th Democrat primary debate, on eve of Iowa caucus
Jan 14, 2020
Cathy Glasson:
Create jobs with infrastructure investment
When it comes to moving off fossil fuels, Glasson believes a 100% renewable energy future protects communities in the long run and creates much needed job opportunities. In her questionnaire, Glasson said, "We do that by working with experts in the
field, investing in infrastructure, new public transit options and new forms of fuel replacement so that state government leads the way. We need to create new green jobs guaranteeing workers a $15 minimum wage, good benefits and union rights."
Source: 350action.org on 2018 Iowa Governor race
May 2, 2018
Cindy Axne:
Improve broadband access in rural communities
Axne is backing legislation that would invest over $90 billion to improve broadband access in rural communities across the country. Axne and members of the House Rural Broadband Task Force have reaffirmed their goal of closing the digital divide and
extending affordable high-speed internet to all by introducing The Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act. The bill includes $80 billion over five years to deploy high-speed broadband infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas.
Source: Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network on 2022 Iowa Senate race
Mar 25, 2021
Deidre DeJear:
Expand broadband, increase speeds, welcome technology jobs
Iowa is 45th in the nation in broadband speed. Our state must live up to its potential and finally become a competitive
technological hub by expanding broadband, increasing speeds, and welcoming the technologically driven jobs of the future.
Source: 2022 Iowa Governor campaign website DeJearForIowa.com
May 30, 2022
Dennis Kucinich:
Technologies will create jobs
Q: What priority would you give to the space program under your presidency? A: our work has to be done here on earth. But we also must keep in mind that there’s tremendous spin-off technology. I have the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Glenn Research Center in my district. And they create a great number of jobs and spin-off technologies and propulsion and environmental technologies, in medicine and communications, in metallurgy. And this is where the jobs of the future will be.
Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum
Jan 11, 2004
Dick Gephardt:
Space programs shouldn’t be a top priority
Q: What would your priorities be in terms of space exploration? A: I think we’ve got a program now with the space station, and I think we ought to see it through before we go on to something else. And, you know, we’ve got a big deficit. We’ve got a
$450 billion deficit this year. When I led the fight for the Clinton economic program in 1993, we had these kind of big deficits. Our first attention was paid to the economy and getting jobs back in this country. And that’s what we ought to be doing now.
Source: Iowa Brown and Black Presidential Forum
Jan 11, 2004
Fred Hubbell:
Infrastructure investment is needed in rural areas too
Another subject Hubbell touched on was infrastructure. "We need to put infrastructure investments all across our state," he said. "Unfortunately, I think what we've seen with Gov. [Kim] Reynolds and the current legislature is that most of the
infrastructure seems to be put in the two corridors--Des Moines-Ames and Iowa City-Cedar Rapids." While Hubbell said those areas do have infrastructure needs, he added rural Iowa must also see such improvements.
Source: Times-Republican on 2018 Iowa Senate race
Oct 31, 2017
Fred Hubbell:
Expand affordable rural internet access
Net Neutrality: Support requiring internet providers to provide equal access to all users?Hubbell: Unknown on net neutrality. Advocates for expanded affordable rural internet access.
Reynolds: No. "The internet grew & thrived before net neutrality and.will continue to grow & thrive after the FCC's decision to eliminate the rule."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Iowa Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Howard Dean:
Invest in rural broadband to replace lost farm jobs
I do want to invest in infrastructure. I want to build schools. The worst 10% of our schools need federal help to be reconstructed. I want to rebuild our infrastructure and transportation. I want to put broadband in rural economies so we can have a
rural economy again. We're not going to get those agriculture jobs back. We need jobs and this president with his supply-side economics is going to shift all of our jobs someplace else in this world, and we need them here in America.
Source: AFSCME union debate in Iowa
May 17, 2003
Jim Carlin:
Time to break up Big Tech & protect personal privacy
The time has come to do with Big Tech what we once did with Standard Oil, the Railroad barons, ATT, IBM and Microsoft. Break them up into smaller pieces. Make it possible for smaller companies and startups to compete. Reign in their practice of gobbling
up competitors and stifling competition. Write a new set of laws that protect the privacy of those who voice their opinion, and the right to tell social media monopolies that their personal data is not to be collected, sold or used.
Source: 2021 Iowa Senate campaign website CarlinForUSSenate.com
Mar 7, 2021
Jim Carlin:
Vital that farmers have access to 5G technology
As farms have increased their dependence on technology to cut costs and operate more efficiently, it is vital the Iowa's farmers have access to emerging 5G technology.
5G will revolutionize Iowa agriculture, allowing farmers to constantly monitor field conditions, track and feed livestock, pilot drones and self-driving tractors.
Source: 2021 Iowa Senate campaign website CarlinForUSSenate.com
Mar 7, 2021
John McCain:
Veto pork barrel; focus transportation spending on repairs
Q: Do you want to raise taxes to fix more bridges?A: We passed a $50 billion transportation bill that had $2 billion in pork barrel earmarked projects: $233 million for a bridge to nowhere in Alaska, to an island with 50 people on it.
Not one dime in those pork barrel projects was for inspection or repair of bridges. They were for pork barrel projects. I'll veto every single bill that comes across my desk and [publicize] the authors of those pork barrel projects.
Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate
Aug 5, 2007
Jon Huntsman:
Cyber intrusion is the new battlefield, and an act of war
Q: Last week a top cyber security firm detailed new instances of cyber espionage, hacking into US computers, concluding, "All signs point to China". Would you as president consider cyber attacks acts of war?A: Absolutely. This is the new war field,
cyber intrusion is. What we need in this country is to use this issue as not only an economic development tool, but also a national security tool. We need early warning capabilities and we need safeguards and we need counter measures.
Not only have government institutions been hacked into, but private individuals have been hacked too. Listen, this is also part of a dialogue that has not taken place with the Chinese. We need a strategic dialogue at the highest levels between the US and
China. That is not happening. As far as you can see into the 21st century, we are going to have to deal with the Chinese. We better get it right. I think it would be great thing to have a president of the United States who knew something about China.
Source: Iowa Straw Poll 2011 GOP debate in Ames Iowa
Aug 11, 2011
Kim Reynolds:
STEM initiative to prepare for a 21st century economy
To ensure that our children are prepared for a 21st century economy we advanced a nationally recognized STEM initiative that gives students the confidence and skills for rewarding careers.
The STEM initiative is led by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Kemin Industries, and has seen outstanding growth and success. Sustaining these measures over time is critical to get the right results for our students and our state.
Source: 2017 State of the State address to Iowa Legislature
Jan 10, 2017
Kim Reynolds:
Expand broadband capabilities to every corner of rural Iowa
While I love our capital city, I believe the heart, soul, and spirit of Iowa will always remain in our small towns and rural communities. Like many of you, I grew up in one of those small towns and when I go home, I hear the disappointment and I share
the frustration when another storefront closes. So today I'm announcing a new initiative that focuses on rural Iowa, which I have asked Lieutenant Governor Gregg to lead. We will bring together leaders from across
Iowa with different backgrounds to be part of this effort. Iowans who have lived in rural communities all of their lives, those who recently moved there, young professionals, successful business owners, and those just starting out.
This new initiative will promote investment and connect rural Iowa by expanding broadband capabilities in every corner of our state. Our goal: to keep and bring home Iowa's sons and daughters and grow the next generation of community leaders.
Source: 2018 State of the State speech to Iowa legislature
Jan 9, 2018
Kim Reynolds:
Access to high speed internet is crucial: dedicate $140M
Over a century ago, a town's proximity to the railroad was key; over the last 100 years, our focus has been on highways and interstates. Now it's virtual connectivity that has become essential. Businesses, schools, hospitals, and even our combines,
rely on high-speed internet. I am requesting $20 million, split over two years, for broadband infrastructure. This funding will accelerate expansion and leverage an additional $120 million in private investment for high-speed internet.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Iowa legislature
Jan 15, 2019
Kim Reynolds:
Broadband is not a luxury; it's critical infrastructure
After unanimous support from this legislature, last year the Empower Rural Iowa Act provided $5 million that is now helping to fund 17 broadband projects in rural Iowa. Broadband is not a luxury; it's critical infrastructure. I'm requesting that we
appropriate an additional $15 million and adjust our state match so we can continue to leverage private and federal funding to build out broadband to every part of Iowa, making us the most connected state in the nation.
Source: 2020 Iowa State of the State address
Jan 14, 2020
Kim Reynolds:
Internet grew & thrived before net neutrality
Net Neutrality: Support requiring internet providers to provide equal access to all users?Hubbell: Unknown on net neutrality. Advocates for expanded affordable rural internet access.
Reynolds: No. "The internet grew & thrived before net neutrality and.will continue to grow & thrive after the FCC's decision to eliminate the rule."
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Iowa Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Kim Reynolds:
$450 million for statewide high-speed broadband by 2025
There are a few big issues that we can begin to address tonight. The need for universal broadband is one of them. I'm done taking small steps and hoping for big change. Let's plant a stake in the ground and declare that every part of Iowa will have
affordable, high-speed broadband by 2025. We'll get there by committing $450 million over that time period, which will leverage millions more in private investment, giving Iowa the biggest buildout of high-speed internet in the country.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Iowa legislature
Jan 12, 2021
Michael Franken:
High speed internet access for rural and depressed areas
Mike will ensure that rural communities and economically depressed areas have access to high speed internet--whether in
Des Moines or Mike's hometown of Lebanon, Iowa. This will be an effort on the scale of rural electrification and of the same lasting benefit.
Source: 2020 Iowa Senate campaign website FrankenForIowa.org
May 27, 2020
Michael Franken:
Information wars are a global threat with local consequences
The information wars are a global threat with local consequences. Franken chaired a high technology task force assigned to explore how an adversary could use cyber, media, space-based assets, and other disrupting means on the
United States or its allies. Admiral Franken knows how to keep us safe. He's been doing it for years.
Source: 2022 IA Senate campaign website FrankenForIowa.com
Jun 9, 2022
Mike Huckabee:
Spend on our infrastructure instead of other countries'
Q: Is it time we raise the federal gas tax to start fixing up our nation's bridges and roads?A: It's not necessary that we raise a tax. We're spending billions of dollars all around the world, but it may be time that we start spending some of those
billions of dollars to deal with our own infrastructure. And it's our bridges, our interstates, our sewer and water treatment systems. They're crumbling. They're old. And we have to start addressing building this country, not everybody else's.
Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate
Aug 5, 2007
Mike Huckabee:
Cars' navigation systems are better than air traffic control
Anybody who's flown lately--as I do pretty regularly in the commercial system--know that we have a complete gridlock. And part of that problem is we've got a system of air traffic control that was designed in 1950, five years before I was born.
We've got better navigation systems in our rental cars than we have running the airline industry today. We need to address it. It's not being talked about.
Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate
Aug 5, 2007
Mitt Romney:
Invest in infrastructure from growing economy by lower taxes
Q: Do you want to raise taxes to fix more bridges? Or can we cut taxes to fix more bridges? A: There's no question--if you really want to make some money in this country, really get some money so we can repair our infrastructure and build for the
future, the biggest source of that is a growing American economy. If the economy is growing slowly, when tax revenues hardly move at all, and, boy, you better raise taxes to get more money for all the things you want to do. But if the economy is growing
quickly, then we generate all sorts of new revenue. And the best way to keep the economy rolling is to keep our taxes down. Our bridges--let me tell you what we did in our state. We found that we had 500 bridges, roughly, that were deemed structurally
deficient. And so we changed how we focused our money. Instead of spending it to build new projects--the bridge to nowhere, new trophies for congressmen--we instead said, "Fix it first." We have to reorient how we spend our money.
Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate
Aug 5, 2007
Mitt Romney:
Mining the moon costs too much
ROMNEY: Speaker Gingrich and I have a lot of places where we disagree.Q: Why don't you name them?
ROMNEY: We can start with his idea to have a lunar colony that would mine minerals from the moon, I'm not in favor of spending that kind of
money to do that.
GINGRICH: I'm proud of trying to find things that give young people a reason to study science and math and technology and telling them that someday in their lifetime, they could dream of going to the moon, they could dream of going to
Mars. I grew up in a generation where the space program was real, where it was important, and where frankly it is tragic that NASA has been so bureaucratized. Iowa's doing brilliant things, attracting brilliant students. I want to give them places
to go and things to do. And I'm happy to defend the idea that America should be in space and should be there in an aggressive, entrepreneurial way.
Source: Yahoo's "Your Voice Your Vote" debate in Iowa
Dec 10, 2011
Nate Boulton:
Invest in rural infrastructure, including for tourism
Boulton said rural areas need greater infrastructure investment, and in an interview, he cited the Vision Iowa program as a model.
The program offered grants and loans for local tourism-related initiatives in the early 2000s. "I think a program like that would be worth exploring again," he said.
Source: Quad-City Times on 2018 Iowa gubernatorial race5/5/2017
May 5, 2017
Newt Gingrich:
America should be in space, aggressively & entrepreneurially
ROMNEY: Speaker Gingrich and I have a lot of places where we disagree.Q: Why don't you name them?
ROMNEY: We can start with his idea to have a lunar colony that would mine minerals from the from the moon, I'm not in favor of spending that kind of
money to do that.
GINGRICH: I'm proud of trying to find things that give young people a reason to study science and math and technology and telling them that someday in their lifetime, they could dream of going to the moon, they could dream of going t
Mars. I grew up in a generation where the space program was real, where it was important, and where frankly it is tragic that NASA has been so bureaucratized. Iowa's doing brilliant things, attracting brilliant students. I want to give them places
to go and things to do. And I'm happy to defend the idea that America should be in space and should be there in an aggressive, entrepreneurial way.
Source: Yahoo's "Your Voice Your Vote" debate in Iowa
Dec 10, 2011
Rob Hogg:
Invest in flood protection & soil conservation
I have worked across party lines to pass legislation to expand solar power, wind energy, ethanol, and biodiesel for jobs and the environment; to invest in soil conservation and clean water; to strengthen education from early childhood to college and job
training; to provide health insurance for children and low-income working families; to support senior citizens and veterans; to promote better health including mental health and public safety--government's first responsibility.
Source: 2016 Iowa Senate campaign website, RobHogg.org
Oct 9, 2015
Rod Blum:
Government misuse of technology erodes Bill of Rights
We must always remember that most liberties are taken away from us in the name of "safety". Government misuse of new technologies has eroded our Bill of Rights, and greatly expanded powers for our security agencies allow the government to invade our
lives without due process or judicial oversight. Hence, our rights and liberties have deteriorated daily since 9/11.Thirteen years later, the websites we visit are monitored, Homeland Security tracks our cell phone movements, our tweets are monitored
by the FBI, our emails are being read and stored, and the NSA can secretly wiretaps our calls. Things we never thought could happen here in the land of the free. I will work to reclaim those liberties that have been taken away from us.
As a software developer I am particularly concerned with copyright infringement of intellectual property, but legislation such as PIPA, SOPA and now CISPA threaten to give federal regulation of the Internet to special interests.
Source: 2014 Iowa House campaign website, RodBlum.com
Nov 4, 2014
Rudy Giuliani:
Lower taxes AND fix infrastructure
Q: Is this Republican dogma against taxes now precluding the ability of you and your party to come up with the revenues that the country needs to fix its bridges? A: There's an assumption in your question that is not necessarily correct; the
Democratic, liberal assumption: "I need money; I raise taxes."
Q: Then what are you going to cut?
A: The way to do it sometimes is to reduce taxes and raise more money. For example, I ran a city with 759 bridges; some of the most used bridges in the
world. I was able to acquire more money to fund capital programs. I reduced the number of poor bridges from 5% to 1.7%. I was able to raise more money to fix those bridges by lowering taxes. I lowered income taxes by 25%. I was collecting 40% more from
the lower income tax than from the higher income tax. We should put more money into infrastructure. We should have a good program for doing it. But the kneejerk liberal Democratic reaction--raise taxes to get money--very often is a very big mistake.
Source: 2007 GOP Iowa Straw Poll debate
Aug 5, 2007
Terry Branstad:
Partnership between state and Google is good for jobs
Iowa Get Your Business Online, will drive economic growth by providing Iowa businesses the tools and resources to get online, grow and expand by providing a free and easy-to-build professional website, a free customized domain name and hosting for one
year, a local business listing on Google Places, free tools, resources, and trainings.While 97% of people research local products and services online, 59% of small businesses in Iowa do not have a website.
Source: 2011 Iowa Gubernatorial press release
Aug 30, 2011
Terry Branstad:
Connect Every Iowan Act: broadband to under-served areas
In September, I announced our initiative to Connect Every Iowan, with the goal of making Iowa the Most Connected State in the Midwest. I charged the STEM Advisory Council's Broadband Committee with developing recommendations for our consideration. Today,
I propose The Connect Every Iowan Act, with incentives to encourage access, adoption and use of broadband technology by businesses and individuals.My plan includes programs that will train workers for 21st century careers in information and
communications technology. My plan also calls for moving to ICN 2.0, repurposing the Iowa Communications Network so it can partner with the private sector to provide connectivity in underserved areas of our state. Together, we can use broadband
technology to grow the Iowa Dream throughout our state, especially in rural areas. As our connection speeds increase, so does the pace of our economic progress, so does our ability to grow jobs, and so does our ability to turn the Iowa Dream into reality
Source: 2014 Iowa State of the State address
Jan 14, 2014
Terry Branstad:
Fix crumbling bridges AND rural internet
Republican Gov. Terry Branstad presented himself as an experienced workhorse while Democratic challenger Jack Hatch pledged to bring new ideas to state government during the first debate of the Iowa governor's race. Branstad focused heavily on his record
over the past Internet access in rural Iowa and stressed that he was ready to serve another four years. Hatch sought to criticize Branstad's administration over a recent revelation that some former state workers were given confidential settlement
payments. "There needs to be a fresh start in education and job development and taking care of rural Iowa," Hatch said.
Branstad said he wanted to come up with a plan for repairing crumbling bridges and roads that didn't include raising the gas tax,
which he said would hurt poor Iowans. Branstad also spoke about his efforts to maintain the amount of ethanol in the nation's fuel supply, given Iowa's role as the nation's leading producer of ethanol, a fuel additive primarily made from corn.
Source: A.P. on Omaha.com on 2014 Iowa governor race
Aug 15, 2014
Theresa Greenfield:
Invest in infrastructure for broadband and bridges
She added that she wants to invest in rural towns by including building capital for small-town businesses, developing workforce opportunities, and building an
infrastructure package that improves and builds broadband connection and bridge suitability. "These kinds of investments are where we need to go," said Greenfield.
Source: Ames Tribune on 2020 Iowa Senate race
Apr 7, 2020
Theresa Greenfield:
Expand broadband; public/private partnership to get there
Q: Do you have the government take over the service of broadband or do you continue to let the private sector extend it?
Greenfield: We absolutely have to extend broadband to everyone. I think it's a combination of both.
Source: Iowa Public Television transcript of 2020 Iowa Senate debate
Sep 28, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023