One of Republican Governor Terry Branstad’s priorities for the 2014 Iowa legislative session dramatically failed to pass the Republican-led Iowa House. Only 42 Republicans in House voted for the bill which supporters say would have boosted broadband access in Iowa. Representative Guy Vander Linden of Oskaloosa was among the nine Republicans who voted no.

Vander Linden faulted the bill for the way it handed out tax breaks to companies.

Branstad immediately blamed House Democrats for the bill’s failure and accused them of turning their backs on rural Iowa. House Democratic Leader Mark Smith says Republicans hold enough seats in the House to pass any bill on their own. Smith says House Democrats firmly believe the bill does not go far enough in expanding broadband access to more homes and small businesses.“