JUST THE FACTS

When I initiated this campaign for the United States House of Representatives from the 4th Congressional District, I said that it would be important to educate the public about Tom Latham’s voting record. Unless the public knows how Tom Latham votes, it will be difficult for them to see the distinction between him and me.

So, in my effort to educate the public, I am launching this segment entitled “Just the Facts.” Each week I will post one new fact about Tom Latham and me. These will be just facts, not opinions. I shall leave it to the readers to draw their own opinion.
If you would like to make a comment or have a conversation about any of these facts, please visit my Facebook page.

~ Bill

Friday, October 8, 2010

Week #9: Omnibus Appropriations 2009

Fact:  After voting against the FY 2009 Omnibus Appropriations, Tom Latham is taking credit for millions of dollars included in the legislation that will help local community colleges, health care clinics, and renewable energy producers in Iowa’s 4th Congressional District.

Fact:  Latham keeps telling people he secured millions of dollars in funding for Iowa, but the fact is he voted against these investments. Latham’s voting record is clear for all to see by going to http://www.ontheissues.org/ or http://www.votesmart.org/. Counter to what Tom Latham would have you believe, these millions of dollars aren’t coming to Iowa because of his hard work; rather, these investments are being made in spite of his efforts to defeat this bill and the funding for Iowa.

Fact:  In press release after press release, Tom Latham has misled the voters of the 4th District by hiding the fact he voted against the Omnibus Appropriations 2009, and in fact made it appear he had championed its passage. In these press releases, he touted his commitment to community colleges, health care technologies, and renewable energy when he actually voted “no.”

Fact:  Latham voted against $1.4 million for equipment and supplies for programs at Des Moines Area Community College; $475,750 to Iowa Lakes Community College for a sustainable energy education center; $475,750 to Iowa Central Community College for laboratory equipment; $100.000 to North Iowa Area Community College to support the Regional Economic Development Organization; $500,000 to Iowa Valley Community College for the Iowa Valley Education and Training Center; and $333,000 to Iowa Central Community College for an Advanced Manufacturing Training Center.

Fact:  Latham voted against $1.4 million for the Iowa Association of Municipal Utilities and the U.S. Department of Energy for a next generation wind energy production plant project.

Fact:  Latham voted against $95,000 for the Gunderson Lutheran Health System and the Gunderson Clinic in Decorah for the Newborn Monitoring Initiative.

Fact:  Bill Maske would have worked for and voted for passage of the Omnibus Appropriations 2009.

Fact:  As a member of the United States House of Representatives, Bill Maske will be honest and straightforward with the voters of the 4th Congressional District. He will never pass himself off as something he is not - that is called hypocrisy.
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