Branstad promises more jobs for Iowans

OSKALOOSA (MCT) — Growing job opportunities can’t happen under Democratic Gov. Chet Culver’s administration, according to former Republican Gov. Terry Branstad.

Branstad stopped at the Oskaloosa Public Library Tuesday afternoon to explain how he plans to foster job growth to the tune of 200,000 more jobs in the state over the next five years.

“With the unemployment rate being the highest it’s been in 24 years, we’re really focusing on jobs and economic development,” said Branstad. “We have 114,000 people in Iowa out of work today and we have a lot of people over the next few years that are going to be graduating and entering the work force. So we really need to have a chief executive with a hands-on focus on bringing business and jobs to Iowa.”

Branstad, who served as governor throughout the 1980s, said he reduced unemployment in the state during his previous time in that office. He said that during the Farm Crisis of the 1980s, his administration worked to increase jobs in Iowa each year.

As for the future of Iowa jobs, Branstad said there are a few key measures he plans on taking. First, he said Iowa needs to reduce its corporate income tax from 12 percent to 6 percent.
Commercial property taxes must also be slashed to make businesses more viable, according to Branstad.

Iowa’s Department of Economic Development is “scandal-ridden” and needs to be “scrapped,” Branstad went on to say. He would like to see it replaced with something that is a partnership between the public and private industries. He said this would attract businesses not operating in Iowa to the state.

“Economic development is all about identifying and taking advantage of opportunities to do what we need to do,” explained Branstad. “Many of us know that Iowa has a good work ethic and we also have really great job training programs available through our community colleges.”

Branstad went on to say the help of economic development professionals to have a “consistent positive message” going out to possible new business owners. He added, existing Iowa businesses are just as important to economic growth.