Jerry Behn
As the seventh candidate actively considering running for Governor, State Senator Jerry Behn has a long way to go in the primary and speculation in his own party is that he's just in it to land a nomination for Lt. Governor. However, as a leader in the Republican Party and candidate for Governor, he's not too different from his counterparts.
Behn opposed the most ambitious and comprehensive program to help Iowa’s working families.[1] By voting against I-JOBS, Behn said:
- 'No' to Iowans hit by last summer’s floods and tornadoes.
- 'No' to Iowa’s veterans when it came to rebuilding our aging Veteran’s Home.
- 'No' to fixing Iowa’s aging road and bridge system.
- 'No' to Iowans looking for jobs in these tough economic times.
He also continued to say NO to Iowans over and over:
- 'No' to providing more help for the unemployed and small businesses in tough economic times.[2]
- 'No' to protecting Iowa's water quality and conserving our soil.[3]
- 'No' to more funding for preventing elder abuse and child care.[4]
- 'No' to helping Iowans who need college aid, including Iowa’s national guard.[5]
Behn is so proud of his record of 'no' he made it the cornerstone of his campaign announcement. He even says 'no' to an income tax which would leave a multi-billion hole in the budget. At the same time, he said doesn't have a plan for replacing the revenue needed to run the state. Behn made these statements after claiming his main goal is balancing the budget.[6]
Jerry Behn is more interested in saying 'no' then finding meaningful solutions for Iowa.
[1] -- [Bonds Issuance for Infrastructure Projects and the Creation of an Iowa Jobs Program, Board, and Fund. - SF 376] Behn votes NO.
[2] -- [Economic Development Budget for 2009 – HF 2699 (2008)] Behn votes NO.
[3] -- [Ag and Natural Resources Budget for 2009 – HF 2662 (2008)] Behn votes NO.
[4] -- [Health and Human Services Budget for 2009 – SF 2425 (2008)] Behn votes NO.
[5] -- [Education Budget for 2009 – HF 2679 (2008)] Behn votes NO.
[6] -- Des Moines Register, 9/14/2009 [http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2009/08/25/govs-race-behns-in-kings-apparently-not/]