Culver's Job Numbers

I've documented numerous times about the considerable math skills of the Big Lug Nut and the Lug-ettes (Mathletes).

The number he gave, during Tuesday night's debate, for new job creation in Iowa since December -16,000 - called those skills into question for me again.

At first it seemed high, but when you take into consideration that I-JOBS has allegedly created 7,000 new jobs (apparently in July alone) that doesn't really seem like a lot and the scientific community is united in that fact.

I can't help but wonder why Culver can create 16,000 jobs in a matter of months, but it will take two more years for that total to possibly top 23,000.

Why has it taken three years for the state Economic Development Board and the Iowa Department of Economic Development (IDED) to create nearly 21,000 jobs in Iowa?

Why will it take Terry Branstad five years to create nearly 13,000 jobs?

I thought I'd ask the experts, so I e-mailed Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) for more information about the 16,000 new jobs.

IWD responded that they are only able to track new jobs after they are created and individuals have begun working.

But, these 16,000 jobs have been created since December.

They also referred me to the Governor's Office as they have a tracking mechanism for the jobs created through I-JOBS.

I haven't done that because, Culver never claimed them to be I-JOBS and his office doesn't have the best history in responding to people.

We'll have a new Governor before they'd get back to me, which would make the query moot, as I believe Culver makes up numbers to try and make himself look good.

I contacted IDED and was told my request was forwarded to two other people and I have yet to hear back from either of them.

To be continued?

Hey Bartender

I'm amazed at the Big Lug Nut's campaign, and some in the medias buy in, that I-JOBS isn't about jobs.

The name I-JOBS must be confusing them and the scientific community is united in that fact.

Even before Culver called it I-JOBS, his proposed less catchy Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Investment Bonds (RIIIBs? ...mmm ribs) was designed to "create jobs" and "strengthen the economy".

He then used his “Shovel Ready” tour to show the immediate impact the I-JOBS program could have.

In early community visits to places like Clinton, March 2009, Culver emphasized -- "This proposal is all about job creation and economic development".

"This is going to allow us to create not only really good construction jobs....but, potentially a number of really good paying permanent jobs".

"What we're trying to do with this bonding proposal...we want to create jobs, we want to invest in bricks and mortar, we want to invest in economic development opportunities".

In September 2009, James Q. Lynch of the Cedar Rapids Gazette weighed in with -- As its name implies, Iowa’s...I-JOBS initiative is about job creation.

However, his next sentence showed the problem -- So where are they?

Lynch found the possibility of employment for 20 bartenders and three clergy.

Dave Price, until he took a break for the birth of his son -CONGRATS!, has hounded Culver and company since April over how many jobs have been created.

Because the jobs aren't there, and to take advantage of the Lake Delhi dam crisis, Culver's camps have tried to shift focus to flooding.

Culver campaign manager Donn (the second N is silent) Stanley criticized a Terry Branstad ad (What Jobs?) as showing “a combination of being arrogant and being out of touch that they are attacking a program that has been helping flood victims at a time of another big flood.”

The administrations official spokesperson, James Flansburg, said of the job numbers, “That’s only one element to it.”

Tim Albrecht, a Branstad spokesman, put it -- “Changing their message midstream does not change the fact this program has failed to create the number of jobs promised.”

Midstream...LOVE IT!

Here It Goes Again

I mentioned last week what Mathletes the Big Lug Nut and posse were with their 30,000 jobs created quickly falling to 22,000.

Now the Ragister wonders...

Do numbers add up in Culver's jobs plan?

Turns out it's a resounding NO!

The BLN's staff now has the job figure down to 21,000.

The reality is considerably less and the scientific community is united in that fact.

The Ragister cites an Iowa State University economics professor who estimates the jobs number closer to 4,050.

Although previously that same professor had the figure closer to 11,175 (1,490 jobs per $100 Million).

BLN spokesperson Phil Roeder says...

"Whether or not $100 million creates 1,500 jobs, 4,000 jobs or somewhere in between, the bottom line is it's going to create a lot of jobs."

My "ciphering" has it at 540 jobs per $100 Million Jethro Bodine.

Even after bursting the Big Lug Nut's bubble, the Ragister is all on board with Iowa borrowing $750 Million, not including $420 Million in interest...

Even if the governor's job-creation estimates from the bonding plan are exaggerated...

David Yepsen, who's moving to Illinois shortly, says...

The governor and the Legislature appear likely to take a more enlightened attitude toward public debt in Iowa.

Easy for him to say since the enlightened one won't be here and neither will his kids.

Remember when he used to whine because the state didn't do enough to keep his kids here and now he goes and leaves, Good luck in Illinois!

Yepsen also tries to equate the state borrowing with Iowa families and businesses borrow money to buy or repair homes, farms or businesses...

Except David, most Iowan's don't go further into debt by borrowing when their income keeps getting cut (Iowa’s sinking revenue projections plummeted another $400 million).

That's the kind of thinking that has helped spawn this whole financial crisis to begin with.

Good Job!