DES MOINES, Iowa (KTIV) -
The director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, Debi Durham, is facing tough questioning from lawmakers Tuesday about $200 million in tax breaks given to an Egyptian company that plans to build a $1.4 billion fertilizer plant near Burlington.
Durham is appearing before the Senate Way and Means Committee, where Democratic lawmakers are expected to question her about the state's dealings with Cairo-based Orascom Construction Industries.
Committee chairman Senator Joe Bolkcom has criticized incentives approved for Orascom.
Durham has acknowledged that during negotiations, state officials failed to uncover that a subsidiary of the company was facing a federal lawsuit.
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