(Le Mars) — State Senator Jack Hatch, a Democrat from Des Moines, stopped in Le Mars late Wednesday afternoon as he campaigned in northwest Iowa seeking the position of Governor. Hatch appeared at the Plymouth County Democratic headquarters. Hatch told the supporters that if elected, he would propose raising the fuel tax by ten cents a gallon over the next five years in order to finance Iowa’s deteriorating infrastructure system. He says Iowa is in desperate need to repair our roads and bridges.
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Hatch’s message to allocate state funds for repairing roads and bridges resonated with the gathered supporters. Nate Summerside, a bridge inspector for Plymouth County, was at the event and informed the Democratic gubernatorial candidate that Plymouth County ranks first in the state with more than 400 bridges that have a span of at least 20 feet. Summerside says the total number of bridges in Plymouth County is close to 600. Hatch says the need to repair Iowa’s roads and bridges would help the rural agricultural economy, but he says it also becomes a public safety issue.
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Hatch also discussed education and health care for rural Iowans, saying Governor Branstad has failed to implement any meaningful programs.
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The Democratic candidate spoke passionately about the short-comings of Branstad’s health care plan.
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Hatch also addressed the minimum wage issue, saying to his supporters “Iowans that work 40 hours a week should not have to be listed as poverty level.” He favors a proposal by U-S Senator Tom Harkin to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour over a two year time period.
