Iowa economic development boss defends expenses

The director of Iowa's Economic Development Authority is defending her substantial travel spending, saying it's necessary to promote the state.

Debi Durham said Monday that spending will be going up as she and others continue to sell the state across the world.

"We are going to go out and make calls. We are going to travel the world," she said. "It is only going to increase."

She came under fire last month after WHO-TV in Des Moines reported she spent more than $73,000 on travel in the 2012 fiscal year. Gov. Terry Branstad soon came to her defense, saying Durham "works day and night for the taxpayers of Iowa." More here.

Information from: Sioux City Journal, http://www.siouxcityjournal.com