What Are the Governor and Others Around Iowa Saying About Price Lab Closure?

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, a Republican, has backed President Ben Allen and the Iowa Board of Regents in moving forward with .

The training lab has been a key piece of UNI's teacher preparation program, as well as a K-12 school for more than 350 students in the Cedar Falls-Waterloo area.

Here are some comments from around Iowa.

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad during a morning press briefing (courtesy of State Rep. Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls):

“I support President Allen and the Board of Regents…They’re the closest to this and in the best position to make this decision,” Branstad said. “And I know it’s never easy when you make dramatic change like this, but I respect and appreciate (Allen’s) courage and his commitment to making the University of Northern Iowa an even better school for the future.”

U.S. Rep. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa, statement following Regents vote:

“It’s a sad day when state funding cuts force a choice between keeping a university functional and keeping a special school like Price Lab open. 

“At a time when politicians talk endlessly about education reform, closing a top-notch, nationally recognized school that actually walks the walk on educational innovation is the wrong thing to do. 

“Iowa’s economic success depends on our ability to properly educate a new generation of teachers and innovators.  There is no innovation without education.  We should be investing in and improving education for our kids – not closing our best schools.”

Iowa Board of Regents President Craig Lang, a Republican, prior to the Regents vote:

"We are at a critical point for UNI, and neither President Allen nor the Board has all of the answers. However, the Board has full confidence in President Allen and his continuing commitment to the hard work and the difficult, strategic and courageous decisions that lie ahead. The future of the University of Northern Iowa is in excellent hands."

Joint statement from five Democratic legislators who serve the Cedar Valley: Rep. Bob Kressig, D-Cedar Falls, Rep. Deborah Berry, D-Waterloo, Rep. Anesa Kajtazovic, D-Waterloo, Sen. Jeff Danielson, D-Cedar Falls, and Sen. Bill Dotzler, D-Waterloo:

“With so many unanswered questions, there was no reason to rush this decision and close Price Lab. We’ve heard from hundreds of Iowans about the closing and they deserved to be heard before this decision was made.”