Despite $103 Million+ in Tax Giveaways from Governor Reynolds, Rockwell Collins Leaves Cedar Rapids

Despite receiving massive tax breaks from Governor Reynolds that meant they paid no Iowa income tax in 2017 and received over $103 million in giveaways from the state in the middle of the Reynolds Budget Crisis, Rockwell Collins announced today that their headquarters would be leaving Cedar Rapids.

“This is a clear failure of leadership by Governor Kim Reynolds. Despite throwing tens of millions of dollars at the problem, she failed to keep this long time Iowa company headquartered in our state. We should be investing in the people of Iowa, in our schools, in our health care, in our communities, not Governor Reynolds’ failed economic policy,” said Iowa Democratic Party Chair Troy Price.

Even after they began cutting jobs earlier this year, Governor Reynolds and Legislative Republicans failed to take action on the budget-busting giveaways for Rockwell Collins:

CEDAR RAPIDS GAZETTE: Rockwell Collins ending Cedar Rapids fabrication unit
“Rockwell Collins will end its Fabrications Operations unit in Cedar Rapids that employs 105 people, the company said Tuesday.”

Rockwell Collins was also a major donor to Governor Reynolds and the Reynolds-Branstad Administration:

Rockwell Collins, Inc. Good Government Committee Contributed $1,000 to Kim Reynolds for Iowa. According to the Iowa Secretary of State, Rockwell Collins, Inc. Good Government Committee contributed $1,000 to Kim Reynolds for Iowa in September 2016. [Iowa Secretary of State, Rockwell Collins, Inc. Good75m, Government Committee Contributions, 6/8/17]

Rockwell Collins, Inc. Good Government Committee Contributed $1,000 to Governor Branstad Committee. According to the Iowa Secretary of State, Rockwell Collins, Inc. Good Government Committee Contributed $1,000 to Governor Branstad Committee in September 2013. [Iowa Secretary of State, Rockwell Collins, Inc. Good Government Committee Contributions, 6/8/17]

Rockwell Collins Contributed $10,000 to the Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship Fund. According to the Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship Fund IRS 990, in 2015, Rockwell Collins Contributed $10,000 to the Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship Fund. [Branstad-Reynolds Scholarship Fund, IRS 990, 1/17]