Lt. Gov. Judge stops in Knoxville

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Lt. Gov. Patty Judge, second from right, poses with Knoxville representatives. From left to right are City Manager Dick Schrad, Mayor Don Zoutte, 3M Plant Manager Greg Couves, Judge and Councilor Carolyn Formanek. Steve Woodhouse/Journal-Express

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February 11, 2010

Steve Woodhouse The Zope Gazette Thu Feb 11, 2010, 01:29 PM CST

Knoxville — Lt. Gov. Patty Judge came to Knoxville to tout initiatives of the Culver-Judge Administration in regard to job creation. Last year, the Legislature passed the governor's I-Jobs bonding initiative. This was the issuance of $830 million in bonds to pay for infrastructure projects. Judge says Marion County received $485,000 in road funding through this.

"For as long as I can remember, people have been letting bonds," Judge said. The administration has come under fire in the past for borrowing at a time of record spending and high unemployment in the state.

Judge, from Albia, said the state's problems began with the floods of 2008. They were quickly followed by a global recession. She said she was glad to work with the Legislature on I-Jobs to try to maintain jobs. The governor's office is currently working with the Legislature to allocate another $100 million in I-Jobs funding.

Thursday's Knoxville appearance was at 3M, a company that has invested $10 million in the Knoxville plant since 2007. The company has 570 employees and recently added 16. Plant Manager Greg Couves was unsure why Judge selected 3M as a platform to speak. 3M has applied for tax credits for the jobs recently created.

"This is a great company," Judge said. She is grateful the company has been able to expand and encouraged 3M officials to call the governor's office if they need assistance in the future. Judge said she selected 3M because she is stopping at several plants in the state that are a community's large employer.

Judge discussed the need to fund job training programs run through community colleges. She also encouraged the Legislature to fund the governor's 2 percent allowable growth for schools.

Knoxville resident Tami Montgomery was concerned about Knoxville Schools' current financial challenges. She does not want to see achievement drop or the community to seem less attractive to new families. Judge understood, saying there is a need to provide more funding to local school districts.

In an interview following her public address, Judge was asked if there was a way to improve education beyond the financial aspect. She said that Iowa's core curriculum and the state's participation in the federal "Race to the Top" program are ways the state is trying to improve education. The goal of Culver-Judge is to improve educational outcomes and keeping children in school.

"There's a lot of work that needs to be done," Judge said.

She supports forcing school districts to spend down their reserves before raising property taxes. According to Judge, "There are school districts in the state sitting on millions and millions of dollars."

Another resident, Bob Meador, raised concern about trade in the United States. Judge believes the country needs to be more aggressive with its trade partners. This may promote job creation across America, including Iowa.

Following her discussion, Judge toured the 3M plant.

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