#GOVERNOR IOWA CASINO TYCOON JET LICENSE#

The IRGC, after rejecting a Cedar Rapids casino in 2014, now is considering three applications for a gaming license. Iowa Democratic Party Chairman Derek Eadon said, РІР‚СљThe fact that Governor Reynolds jetted around the state on a big donorРІР‚в„ўs plane while he has a pending business contract with her administration shows that she has the wrong priorities for our state.РІР‚Сњ ReynoldsРІР‚в„ў use of KirkeРІР‚в„ўs plane evoked criticism from several groups and individuals. KirkeРІР‚в„ўs business partner, Michael Richards, president of Wild Rose Entertainment, recently was named president of the Board of Regents at IowaРІР‚в„ўs three public universities.Р”В«renna Smith, ReynoldsРІР‚в„ў press secretary, said the governor wonРІР‚в„ўt take a position on a Cedar Rapids casino and will let the commission use its РІР‚Сљindependent judgment.РІР‚Сњ

Millionaire businessman Kirke has given $25,000 to ReynoldsРІР‚в„ў campaigns and $135,000 to her political mentor, former Governor Terry Branstad, who resigned to become the U.S. Next year, Reynolds will make at least two appointments the five-member gaming commission, which also regulates KirkeРІР‚в„ўs other casinos.

#GOVERNOR IOWA CASINO TYCOON JET LICENSE#

Reynolds said her office is independent from the Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission, which will decide later this year if it will issue a license for Cedar Rapids.

Kirke donated the use of his plane and two pilots as in-kind contributions to ReynoldsРІР‚в„ў campaign. They, along with a state trooper and staffers, traveled the state as part of their РІР‚СљBuild A Better IowaРІР‚Сњ introductory tour. Reynolds recently chose acting Lieutenant Governor as her running mate in 2018.

Reynolds said using the private jet is legal and she may do it again in the future. Wild Rose, which operates casinos in Emmetsburg, Clinton and Jefferson, is competing for a state gaming license to develop a Cedar Rapids casino. Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds recently defended using a private jet owned by Gary Kirke, founder and chairman at Wild Rose Entertainment, for her first trip across the state as governor.

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