Branstad should show leadership in wage debate

Gov. Terry Branstad said this week he's willing to sit down with state legislative leaders after the election to talk over a potential minimum wage increase. Like this editorial board, Branstad would prefer setting a statewide standard as opposed to a patchwork of counties approving local wage floors.

Unfortunately the governor couldn't bring himself to say he actually supports raising the current $7.25 minimum. When initial reports suggested he did support an increase, his staff scrambled to clarify he's only willing to explore the issue.

It seems the governor's biggest objection is to local minimum wage ordinances. So Branstad could support legislation simply nullifying county wage ordinances while keeping the current statewide wage unchanged.

The governor has built a troubling track record of similarly sidestepping local governments, such as school boards seeking to set start dates or county supervisors seeking authority to decide where livestock confinements can be built. Local control has suffered repeated defeats during the Branstad years.

But this isn't really a local control issue. The real issue is the failure of state government to address a minimum wage that's remained stagnant for nearly nine years. Officials in Linn, Johnson and other counties stopped waiting and took the initiative.

A large majority of Iowans, according to polls, support a minimum-wage increase. Branstad needs to do more than arrange a meeting on the issue. He needs to show real leadership by making a proposal of his own, not simply waiting for lawmakers to hash out a plan while he supervises from the sidelines.

It makes sense, as Branstad suggests, to look at what other states are doing, and weigh an increase's effect on businesses and jobs. We'd urge the governor also to balance his concerns for business with the needs of low-income workers who could benefit.

Branstad has been governor for more than two decades and has signed multiple minimum wage increases into law. He should have ample expertise to float his own specific proposal, one that starts a productive conversation with lawmakers.

We agree a statewide wage is best, but we also want the governor to show leadership and take a stand.

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