Chet Culver On the Issues

Leading Iowa Forward

"I'm running for Governor of Iowa because I believe we can build on our traditional strengths in agriculture, manufacturing, and education to create good jobs, with good benefits, that reach into every corner of the state. In the last seven years — thanks to our first Democratic governor in thirty years, Tom Vilsack — Iowa has made important strides in meeting the new challenges of the 21st Century. But it is no time to slow down, stop and rest, or especially to turn back — we need a new Governor, with ideas and vision, who will lead Iowa forward."

Energy: Fueling the World

"I believe Iowa has already proven that it has the ingenuity and the ability to build an agricultural industry that could feed the world. Many of the next generation of good jobs and industries that we want to bring to Iowa and help expand in Iowa are those alternative energy and renewable energy industries that will some day — fuel the world."

Health Care: Healthy Opportunities for Every Iowan

"As Governor, I will work every day to help provide affordable, quality health care for every Iowan. I believe that good health is a good investment for Iowa: school performance improves when children have health insurance, the workforce is healthier and more productive, and reducing the burden of illness and medical costs gives more people the opportunity to make the most of their lives."

Education for a Lifetime

Drawing on his experience as a teacher, Culver has focused on education as a centerpiece of his gubernatorial campaign. As Governor, Culver will expand iowa's accredited early education programs, raise teacher salaries, create innovative programs to keep new graduates in Iowa to teach, and make college more affordable and accessible for Iowa students.

Culver-Judge Agenda for Iowa’s Women

"I'm running for Governor because I believe we can build on our strengths to lead Iowa forward. The only way that happens is when every Iowan shares in the progress and has the greatest opportunity to succeed. The concerns of Iowa's women -- whether jobs, health care, education, or security -- are of concern to every Iowan, and by addressing them together, we will lead this state forward."

Affordable College Excellence

"If we are to retain and lure the jobs of the future, we must place an immediate focus on the workforce of the future. That means we must preserve and develop accessible, affordable college options for every Iowa student who has the ability and commitment to complete a degree program. Our university system must be part of Iowa's strategy to build a workforce and business community that is second to none."

Honoring an Iowa Treasure

Chet Culver has a plan to show Iowa’s seniors the honor and respect they deserve so that every Iowan can look forward to retirement with dignity. Chet Culver will take on the challenges we face in health care and long-term care, among others, focusing on quality of life. Iowa’s seniors truly are a treasure. Chet Culver will make sure Iowa’s seniors are never forgotten.

Raising the Bar on State Government Ethics

"As Governor, I will lay down the highest ethical standards for my Cabinet Secretaries, state government Board and Commission appointees, immediate staff, and other political appointees. First, individuals who get state dollars and rip-off Iowa taxpayers will be punished. Period. I will work to pass a law that allows the state to seek punitive damages from individuals who receive state dollars and commit fraud to increase their compensation. This law will have teeth and will be enforced under my Administration. Second, I will strengthen existing ethical requirements and protections for my political appointees and all Iowa state government employees. Third, I will make it much easier for an average Iowa citizen to get access to information about who is lobbying whom in Des Moines."

Iowa's Commitment to Lifesaving Research

Chet Culver will lift Iowa restrictions that have ended much stem cell research in the state and sent scientists and research teams to other states. Culver's proposal includes a $10 million investment in the creation of a Center for Regenerative Medicine in Iowa City, which will conduct cutting edge research and attract the top scientists in the field to Iowa. That initial investment will also be used to attract private sector funding and return Iowa to a leadership position in the nation for medical research.

Community College Excellence

As Governor, Chet Culver will make Iowa's community colleges a vital part of the state's workforce development and to increase accessibility and affordability for students from Iowa's working and middle-class families. As Governor, Culver will invest $12.5 million from from job-training, economic development, and higher education funds in Iowa's community colleges, with a target of attracting an additional $12.5 million from private companies. That combined $25 million investment will allow Iowa's community colleges and companies to partner in creating innovative new skills-training programs to prepare Iowa's workers for the jobs of the future.

Plan for Iowa's Veterans

"Iowa's veterans are tired of hearing members of the leadership in Washington, DC, like my opponent, say great things about veterans then continually vote to cut critical funding for them. I have a plan to give our veterans the honor and respect they deserve for protecting our families overseas. As governor, I will work to give access to college for veterans returning home whose jobs have not been held open. I also want to work to end the financial stress placed on our National Guard members and reservists serving lengthy deployments, and help returning veterans get good-paying jobs here when they come home to Iowa."

Teaching Iowa's Kids Solid Character

Iowa's public school system is struggling with discipline in the schools. Teachers struggle to focus individualized attention on each student when there are disciplinary problems. When Iowa's young people have the benefit of a framework for character development, behavior in the classroom improves, disciplinary incidents decrease, and overall student achievement increases. Chet Culver is a teacher and coach who taught social studies at Hoover High School in Des Moines before being elected Secretary of State. He knows what it means to be on the front lines each day, teaching 150 students, and coaching basketball and football.