Gov. Branstad lauds Gov. Christie’s pig crate veto

DES MOINES - Gov. Terry Branstad on Monday applauded New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a ban on crates that limit the mobility of pregnant pigs and insisted the potential presidential candidate's decision was not politically motivated.

Late last week, Christie vetoed legislation that would have banned small metal crates that constrain pregnant pigs. Advocates for the bill said the crates are inhumane because they restrict the pigs from turning around; those who opposed the bill said the crates prevent the sows from trampling piglets.

'Good decision,” Branstad said Monday at his weekly news conference.

Animal rights groups have pushed for bans on gestation crates; pork producers have opposed such measures.

'I can't think of anything more humane than protecting baby pigs from being crushed to death by big sows,” Branstad said. 'That's why I can't understand why a group that calls itself the Humane Society would be against saving baby pigs.”

Christie is a potential Republican candidate for president in 2016 who already has visited the first-in-the-nation caucus state on multiple occasions in the past year.

Branstad, a fellow Republican who said he spoke with Christie about the gestation crate issue, insisted Christie did not veto the ban in order to keep favor with Iowa voters.

Hog farming produced $7.5 billion in economic activity in Iowa in 2012, when there were more than 6,000 producers in the state, according to the Iowa Pork Producers Association, which did not take an official stance on the New Jersey legislation.

'No, I think it had to do with the fact this is an issue most people in New Jersey have no clue. They don't raise hardly any pigs in New Jersey, they don't have farrowing crates. But it is something we do have knowledge of in Iowa,” Branstad said. 'I gave (Christie) credit for listening to and understanding that this is something that we're very concerned about, and it does impact consumers as well. If these baby pigs are crushed and die, that means there are fewer pigs, and that impacts the price of pork.”

Branstad ‘feels good about' testimony

Branstad last week was deposed to testify out-of-court in a case in which a gay former state employee has accused the governor of worker discrimination.

Chris Godfrey, a former state workers' compensation commissioner, sued Branstad and members of his administration in 2012 after the governor slashed his $112,068-a-year salary by $36,000 in 2011. Godfrey seeks $1 million in compensation, claiming defamation, harassment, sexual discrimination and extortion.

Branstad said last week's deposition lasted nine hours.

'I answered every question,” Branstad said. 'I feel good about it.”

Branstad honors Alons

Branstad started his news conference by offering condolences to the family of Iowa Rep. Dwayne Alons. The Republican from Hull died this past weekend from cancer.

Branstad noted Alons served in the Iowa National Guard and was 'instrumental” in passing a state initiative that seeks to help employ returning veterans.

Iowa Gala announced

Branstad announced the third annual 'Celebrate Iowa” Gala will be held Friday, Dec. 12, at the State Historical Museum.

The event hosted by the Department of Cultural Affairs showcases Iowa's history in art, entertainment and culture, and proceeds benefit programs offered by the state's Historical Society and Historical Museum.

Tickets may be purchased at culturalaffairs.org/gala.