Joint GOP Statement on Marriage

For immediate release: April 27, 2009

Republican Party of Iowa
621 East 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50309
Contact: Danielle Plogmann, 319.290.4185

Joint statement from Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn, Senate Republican Leader Paul McKinley, and House Republican Leader Kraig Paulsen

This joint statement marks the first day same-sex couples will be allowed to seek marriage licenses since the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision in Varnum v. Brien

Today marks the first day same-sex couples in Iowa will be able to seek marriage licenses as a result of the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to declare unconstitutional Iowa’s law that defines marriage as the union of one man and one woman.

Republicans in the Iowa Legislature made repeated attempts to begin the process of bringing to Iowans a proposed constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union of one man and one woman only to be stopped cold by Democrat obstructionism and a lack of executive leadership from Governor Culver.

Whether it be the pursuit of a constitutional amendment to give Iowans the right to vote on this issue; the establishment of residency requirements to obtain marriage licenses; or the appointment of future judges--none of these options are possible as long as Chet Culver remains Governor and Democrats control the Iowa Legislature.

Democratic legislators who campaigned at home to protect marriage and then hid behind procedural votes in Des Moines to thwart the will of the people will have to answer for their hypocritical actions in 2010.

Iowans who are looking for leaders who will truly work and vote to protect marriage need look no farther than Iowa Republicans.

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Iowa GOP Outpaces Iowa Democrats in First Quarter Fundraising

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Contact: Jeffrey Boeyink, 515.864.6800

REPUBLICAN PARTY OF IOWA OUTPACES IOWA DEMOCRATIC
PARTY IN FIRST QUARTER FUNDRAISING

Strawn: More Evidence of GOP Resurgence in Iowa

Des Moines, IA. –According to finance reports filed yesterday with the Federal Election Commission, the Republican Party of Iowa raised more funds and ended the period with more cash on hand than the Iowa Democratic Party during the first quarter of 2009.

Matt Strawn, Chairman of the Republican Party of Iowa said, “With each passing day, each passing week, and each passing month, it is becoming increasingly clear the Republican Party of Iowa is reestablishing itself as a relevant force in Iowa politics.

“Republicans are uniting around our principled conservative message. This early fund-raising success is just one more piece of evidence that our efforts to fight for core Republican principles such as limiting government spending, free market job-creating strategies, and marriage protection are resonating with Iowans.”

Strawn noted that the Republican Party of Iowa raised 50% more funds in March than our counterparts at the Iowa Democratic Party. The Iowa GOP not only outraised the IDP in March, but outraised them for the entire first quarter of 2009 and the state GOP has nearly $80,000 more cash on hand at the end of the period than Iowa Democrats.

“As Iowa Democrats continue to ignore Iowa’s economy, thwart the will of the public on marriage, and drive our state to a budget cliff in 2010 that could reach a billion dollars, I expect our message will bring even bigger and better results in the future,” concluded Strawn.

Link to Republican Party of Iowa filing
Link to Iowa Democratic Party filing

Republican Party of Iowa
March funds raised: $109,814
1st Quarter funds raised: $234,509
Cash on hand: $244,492

Iowa Democratic Party
March funds raised: $72,572
1st Quarter funds raised: $186,078
Cash on hand: $165,542

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Release: Iowa GOP Chairman Matt Strawn's Statement on Tax Day

Republican Party of Iowa
Contact: Jeff Boeyink, 515.864.6800

For immediate release;

April 15, 2009

Statement from RPI Chairman Matt Strawn

This morning, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn released the following statement marking the arrival of the federal income tax deadline and Iowa Democratic efforts to raise taxes on Iowans:

“Today marks the deadline for Iowans to file their individual income tax returns with the federal government. Unfortunately, if Governor Culver and majority Democrats have their way, this will be the final time the federal taxes Iowans are paying today will be deductible on Iowa state income tax returns.

“If you liked a subprime mortgage crisis fueled by unscrupulous brokers who duped homeowners into low introductory interest rates only to dramatically increase rates and mortgage payments in later years, you’ll love Iowa Democrats plan to do the same to Iowa taxpayers.

“Iowans need to read the fine print on the Democrats’ cynical attempt to sell their plan as a ‘tax cut.’ This ‘subprime’ approach to tax policy offers a meager tax reduction for some Iowans in years one and two and then hammers them with huge tax increases from year three and forever onward. This is a $450 million ‘balloon’ payment of a tax increase that will pop the budgets of most Iowa families.

“In addition, the Democrats’ proposal would immediately raise taxes on huge numbers of Iowans and small businesses, even those earning as little as $20,000 annually. And by year three, more than 600,000 Iowa families and small businesses would see significant increases in their state tax burden.

“The Democrats’ proposed tax plan is a cruel hoax on the vast majority of Iowans and the fact the bill is still alive and kicking on our federal tax day simply adds insult to injury,” concluded Strawn.

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Chairman Strawn Releases Statement on Iowa Supreme Court Ruling

Statement from RPI Chairman Matt Strawn

This morning, Republican Party of Iowa Chairman Matt Strawn released the following statement following the ruling by the Iowa Supreme Court in Varnum v. Brien.

“The sad and simple fact is this decision could have been avoided. Once clear that Iowa’s marriage law was under attack by the courts and outside interest groups, majority Democrats had every opportunity to advance legislation removing the politics from protecting marriage and placing the decision directly in the hands of Iowa voters.

“Instead, this is yet another example of majority Democrats dodging the tough decisions that responsible legislating requires. Whether it’s unsustainable budgets, job-killing labor legislation, punishing tax increases through elimination of federal deductibility, or failing to lead on defining marriage, Governor Culver and legislative Democrats continue to demonstrate they are completely out of touch with the values of Iowans,” concluded Strawn.

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