(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced they will hold a press conference tomorrow, Friday, October 10, 2014, at 9:30 a.m., to announce the expansion of an economic development project in Iowa.  The press conference will be held at the Capitol with representatives from the company that is expanding in attendance.

A live-stream of the news conference will be made available at www.Youtube.com/GovernorBranstad.

The following event is open to credentialed members of the media:

Friday, October 10, 2014

9:30 a.m. Gov. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Reynolds announce economic development project expansion

Robert D. Ray Conference Room

State Capitol

Des Moines, IA

Iowa viewed as national model for other states to follow

(DES MOINES) - Today, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds was joined by STEMconnector CEO Edie Fraser, Drake University Athletic Director Sandy Hatfield-Clubb, Iowa Association of Business and Industry President Mike Ralston, and Jana Rieker, Bankers Trust Vice President of Sales and Marketing, at a news conference in the Iowa Statehouse Rotunda.

Reynolds announced a national public-private model on ways to engage thousands of mentors for young girls and women to actively pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and careers.

The first statewide model of its kind, Million Women Mentors (MWM)-Iowa, targets 5,000 female and male mentors from all 99 counties in the next four years.

"Launching MWM-Iowa is another component of our statewide-strategy to attract individuals to STEM careers. In particular, I believe mentors can guide, encourage, and open doors for girls and young women to be fully equipped for the great jobs of tomorrow in STEM-related careers."

In the United States, STEM is a driving force behind economic growth, stability and educational success.  That's why, we're creating an environment in Iowa that prepares all of our students with the necessary skills to compete in a global knowledge-based economy," stated Reynolds.

Additional announcements made by Lt. Governor Reynolds at the news conference included: naming Ralston and Rieker as MWM-Iowa co-chairs.  She also recognized 12 other individuals as members of the MWM-Iowa Executive Council. 

Rieker emphasized the quality opportunities that await Iowa girls and young women in STEM fields.  "In the past 10 years, growth in STEM jobs has been three times greater than non-STEM jobs.  Also, women with STEM jobs earn 33 percent more than females in non-STEM jobs.

"We know 80 percent of the fastest growing occupations in the United States depend upon mastery of mathematics and scientific knowledge and skills.  Being able to secure 5,000 female and male mentors in Iowa to urge young girls and women to consider STEM fields is a huge step forward in increasing awareness and generating excitement," said Rieker

Co-Chair Mike Ralston agreed. "It's a tribute to Iowa on how many major companies stepped up to pledge mentors in the past 30 days.  We have 13 companies that pledged more than 1,200 mentors together, so we're already well on our way toward our goal of 5,000."

The following companies have made a pledge to MWM-Iowa:  Leading the charge is Hy-Vee with a commitment of 500 employees, as well as commitments from Bankers Trust; EMC; Iowa Association of Business and Industry; Meredith Corporation; Principal Corporation; Pella Corporation; Vermeer Manufacturing; and a tremendous commitment from Iowa's colleges and universities including, Des Moines Area Community College, Drake University, Iowa State University, University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa," concluded Ralston.

STEMconnector CEO Edie Fraser, who spearheads the national MWM effort in collaboration with more than 22 sponsors and 56 partners, pointed out that Iowa has been at the forefront of increasing awareness and accessibility of STEM.

"We were extremely pleased to receive Iowa's pledge of 5,000 mentors for the MWM national initiative. The MWM-Iowa model will be a great example for other states to emulate in attracting male and female STEM mentors," said Fraser.

In addition to announcing the MWM-Iowa effort, MWM-Iowa Co-Chairs and Executive Council members, the inaugural "Coaches' Mentoring Challenge" for women was unveiled.  The Challenge is designed for basketball coaches across Iowa to collaborate in recruiting mentors for females interested in STEM.  Coaches will reach out to their university, college, or high school campus networks, including their fan base and media in their local communities.

Hatfield-Clubb enthusiastically shared that Iowa State University, University of Iowa, and University of Northern Iowa will be joining Drake University in the Coaches' Mentoring Challenge for women.  In addition, Drake University has pledged 100 mentors to the MWM-Iowa initiative over the next four years.

"Today, I am pleased to share that the first-ever Coaches' Mentoring Challenge for women in Iowa is being launched to recruit mentors for girls and women interested in STEM.  Drake University Women's Basketball Coach Jennie Baranczyk has been named as the official spokesperson of the Coaches' Mentoring Challenge" said Hatfield-Clubb.

She went on to say, "Coach Baranczyk will make a personal invitation to all university, college, and high school coaches across the state to join her and her colleagues in this important state-wide initiative."

The effort officially "tips off" with the start of the NCAA Division I women's basketball season in November.

For more information about the MWM-Iowa effort, MWM-Iowa Executive Council members, MWM-Iowa company and/or organization mentor pledges or the inaugural female Coaches Challenge, please visit www.mwmia.org.

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About Million Women Mentors (MWM)-Iowa. Million Women Mentors (MWM-IA) brings together leaders in business, government, and education to engage girls and young women to understand, develop interest and gain confidence so they can pursue and succeed in STEM courses, degrees, and careers.  Created as part of the national Million Women Mentors movement in 2014, the MWM-Iowa initiative seeks to register 5,000 women (and men) in all 99 counties by 2018 to serve as mentors to achieve these three goals:  Increase the percentage of high school girls planning to pursue STEM careers; increase the percentage of young women pursuing undergraduate degrees in STEM fields; and increase the percentage of women staying in STEM careers.

About Million Women Mentors (National). MWM is an engagement campaign and national call to action that mobilizes corporations, government entities, non-profit and higher education groups, around the imperative of mentoring girls and young women in STEM fields. Since MWM's launch in January 2014, nearly 171,400 pledges have been made to mentor girls and young women in STEM skills.  The web portal is www.millionwomenmentors.org.  Available online is a nationwide call to action to capture pledge commitments from individuals, organizations and companies that have an interest in mentoring.

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Data shows each county's funding from the state for 2013 assessment year

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today released data from the Iowa Department of Revenue that shows Iowa counties are receiving over $78.33 million in state backfill funding and taxpayers are receiving over $49 million in credits, for a total of roughly $127.33 million, in the 2013 assessment year, as part of the historic property tax reduction bill advocated for by Branstad and Reynolds. The funding to Iowa counties is part of the historic passage of Senate File 295, which Gov. Branstad signed into law on June 12, 2013, in Hiawatha, Iowa.

The historic tax relief package has many benefits for Iowa taxpayers, including:

1.       Permanent property tax relief protected by a standing appropriation, that represents the largest tax reduction in Iowa history - $4.4 billion over 10 years.

2.       Property tax reduction for all classes of property: agricultural, residential, commercial and industrial, without shift of the tax burden to other classes of property.

3.       Changes the school finance formula so that "allowable growth" is replaced by 100% state aid.

4.       Commercial and industrial property are being taxed at 95% of assessed value this year, eventually moving to 90% of assessed value next year.

"For thirty years the Iowa Legislature talked about reducing taxes. Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I are proud that in 2013 we were able to bring Democrats and Republicans together to give hardworking Iowa taxpayers the tax relief that they deserve," said Branstad. "With the implementation of the historic tax reduction bill of 2013, Iowa counties now have the funds from the state to provide the tax relief to citizens across the state."

The historic tax reform passage of 2013 received strong bipartisan support.  It passed the Iowa Senate 43-6 on May 22, 2013, and the Iowa House 84-13 on May 23, 2013.

"As a former county treasurer who had the unenviable job of collecting taxes, I'm pleased to see that the reforms we put in place are being fulfilled and local governments are able to pass the savings on to the taxpayers," said Reynolds. "For too long, local governments grew skeptical of the state meeting its funding obligations, but Governor Branstad and I are committed to continuing to honor our word and passing responsible budgets."

In a recent news report published in the Cedar Rapids Gazette, Iowa officials reacted to the state's historic property tax relief package:

"'I think business owners, particularly smaller ones, really saw a difference this year,'" said Jeff Robinson, a tax analyst with the Legislative Services Agency. 'I mean they really had to notice when they got their bill this that it was less than it was the year before.'"

"Lucas Beeken, public policy specialist for the Iowa State Association of Counties (ISAC), said the figures came in very close to the projections made when the legislation was approved, marking the first reduction in business property taxes in more than three decades."

The data, which can also be downloaded here, is from the Iowa Department of Revenue and shows how much each Iowa county and property taxpayers in that county received in tax relief from the historic legislation.  The state backfill column represents the amount of state funds paid to counties to ensure they did not see a loss in revenue from the property tax reduction. This is permanent relief protected by a standing appropriation. The tax credit column represents additional relief to Iowa taxpayers, by county, through a state tax credit.

(DES MOINES) - Gov. Terry Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds were joined at their weekly press conference today by Iowa Department of Education Director Brad Buck to announce the recommendations of the Financial Literacy Work Team. Buck convened the 13-member work team in January of 2014 to ensure Iowa students are learning the financial literacy skills needed for success.

"We know our children need to be financially literate in order to have a bright future and many Iowans, including educators, financial services experts, and elected officials have expressed concerns about the status of financial literacy in Iowa," said Branstad. "I'm pleased the Financial Literacy Work Team has completed its review and offered recommendations for the state to move forward educating our young people on how to make smart, responsible financial decisions."

The work team included representatives from public and nonpublic schools, financial services, higher education and the Iowa Department of Education. The group's recommendations included the following:

1.       Taking a close look at our financial literacy requirement for K-12 schools. This is included in the 21^st century skills portion of Iowa's statewide academic standards. The work team's idea is to make sure the financial literacy component is clear and age appropriate.

2.       More support for schools around putting the financial literacy component of the standards into practice. More support would include providing better, more centralized resources to teachers.

3.       Tap into external stakeholder groups with expertise in financial literacy to assist in professional development trainings for teachers.

4.       Review how school districts approach financial literacy education.

5.       Improving communication statewide to keep a focus on this important issue.

"As former Clarke County treasurer, I understand the importance of financial literacy. I saw how far too many Iowans struggle to understand their rights and responsibilities when it comes to issues like tax payments and license fees," said Reynolds. "Success in the 21^st century requires being financially literate. These recommendations will help us focus on assuring that all students fully understand financial commitments and decisions."

"We must do more to help students understand the power of financial literacy. And given that there's this groundswell of support among stakeholders to be part of the solution, it made great sense to form the Financial Literacy Work Team," said Buck. "At the Iowa Department of Education, we have moved forward by designating a staff member to the issue of financial literacy and we'll work to provide leadership around professional development activities and a central online location for high-quality resources for teachers."

The full report, including the Financial Literacy Work Team's recommendations, can be found here.