GOP reaction

These are the statements Republican legislative leaders issued this weekend, after Governor Culver's chief of staff issued his statement about the lottery lease proposal.

Paulsen Issues Statement on Leasing of the Lottery

(DES MOINES)—House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen (R-Hiawatha) issued the following statement in reaction to the leasing of the Iowa Lottery:

“The idea of selling the Lottery has gotten the interest of more than just partisans and pundits. It's gotten the attention of numerous Iowans who have in turn, reached out to their local legislators.

"Make no mistake; Iowans are not interested in leasing the Lottery and think it's a short-sighted, quick fix to irresponsible budgeting.  Hopefully, this idea does not resurface later in the session.

Governor Backpedals on Risky Scheme to Sell Iowa’s Lottery, Gamble with State’s Future

Sen. McKinley: “Iowans from every corner of this state spoke out against this reported plan and said enough is enough.”

DES MOINES – Iowa Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley (R-Chariton) issued the following statement in response to Governor Culver’s decision today to abandon his reported plans to sell Iowa’s lottery, one of Iowa’s top revenue generating assets:

“During the governor’s first two years in office, Iowa’s budget has ballooned by nearly a billion dollars and is now facing hundreds of millions of dollars in shortfalls because the governor and legislative Democrats failed to act responsibly and keep the government living within its means.”

“I have been against selling the lottery since the initial account that Governor Culver had reportedly made closed door plans to sell the lottery to some of his biggest campaign contributors. His desperate, risky scheme to fill the massive budget hole he created would have amounted to very short term gain at the expense of long term pain.”

“Iowans from every corner of this state spoke out against this reported plan and said enough is enough. Now is the time for our elected officials to use common sense and budget with responsibility. I also urge Governor Culver to seriously reconsider his $700 million dollar bonding proposal that will amount in even more debt for our children and grandchildren. Iowans expect us to make tough decisions and it is time that we re-establish the notion that it is Iowans who run government and not the other way around.”