Reynolds sets vision for her tenure

DES MOINES — Kim Reynolds wants the history books to remember her as more than just Iowa's first woman governor.

In her first address to Iowans as the state's governor, Reynolds on Wednesday at the Iowa Capitol said she hopes her tenure is 'filled with great accomplishments' that relegate her milestone to secondary status.

'Becoming Iowa's first woman governor is both humbling and exciting. I will do my best to serve as a role model for others to follow, and hope to emulate the finest qualities of those who led before me,' Reynolds said. 'However, it is my responsibility, my challenge, to do my best, to give them the opportunity to write much more than, 'She was Iowa's first woman governor.''

READ MORE — Full text of Reynolds' speech: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/read-here-gov-kim-reynolds-swearing-in-address-transcript/

Reynolds, a 57-year-old former county treasurer, state legislator and lieutenant governor, was sworn in as Iowa's 43rd governor on Wednesday during a ceremony in the Iowa Capitol Rotunda.

Just minutes before, Terry Branstad resigned as governor and was sworn in as U.S. ambassador to China.

Reynolds will serve the remainder of Branstad's term, which ends soon after the 2018 election. She likely will run for re-election next year.

Reynolds highlighted four priorities as governor:

• Making the state's tax code simpler, more fair and more competitive.

• Further developing the state's energy plan to continue to maximize renewable energy sources such as wind energy and renewable fuels.

• Educating the state's children to meet the demands of 21st-century employment.

• Training Iowans so they have the skills needed for successful careers.

'We can pursue a bold vision of innovation, ingenuity and growth such that our chapter in the history of Iowa will be filled with great accomplishments, with page upon page about how we made Iowa an even better place to live, work, innovate, create, and raise a family,' Reynolds said. 'And then, if they must, they can add at the end of the chapter, 'Oh, and by the way, she was also Iowa's first woman governor.''

Reynolds said reforming Iowa's tax structure is her first priority. Republicans who control both chambers in the Iowa Legislature also hope to pass tax relief legislation; they were thwarted this year by a tight budget that led to spending cuts.

'Our tax rates are some of the highest in the nation, and our code books are filled with a patchwork of exemptions, deductions and credits. That's not how it should be,' Reynolds said. 'Our tax code should be simple. It should be fair. And it should inspire, not inhibit growth. Because the bottom line is this: a simple, more competitive tax code makes it easier for businesses to grow and expand and creates lasting careers for middle class Iowans.'

Iowa's U.S. senators, including Joni Ernst, the first woman to represent the state in Congress, recorded a video address from the nation's capital.

And Reynolds was introduced by Iowa House Speaker Linda Upmeyer, the first woman in the state's history to hold that position.

'Women from across our state are watching today as the first woman in Iowa history becomes governor,' Upmeyer said in introducing Reynolds. 'Kim Reynolds will serve as yet another inspiration to future generations of women who can imagine themselves in positions of leadership never before held by a woman.'

Upmeyer said she has worked with Reynolds on many policy initiatives and is confident in Reynolds' ability.

'I've seen her develop as a leader as she's taken on some of Iowa's most important issues,' Upmeyer said. 'Her experience tackling those tough issues and also her passion to improve the lives of Iowans gives me such confidence that with Kim Reynolds leading our state, Iowa's best days lie ahead.'

Reynolds also spoke of growing up in St. Charles, a small town in south central Iowa with roughly 650 people, and working as a checkout clerk at Hy-Vee.

She spoke of literally breaking down walls as Clarke County treasurer; she said she and her husband remodeled the office by ripping out a wall that divided employees.

READ MORE — Full text of Reynolds' speech: https://www.thegazette.com/state-government/read-here-gov-kim-reynolds-swearing-in-address-transcript/