Pension problem

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Legally, there's nothing wrong with Gov. Terry Branstad collecting his $130,000 salary and the $50,000 annual pension he earned during previous years of public service.

But it doesn't look right, and it doesn't feel right.

This is the governor who told state lawmakers during his budget address that they needed a grandfather's “stern talking to” about “difficult and painful choices” facing them. Branstad has complained about a “privileged class” of state workers who get lucrative health and pension benefits.

Good points. Good points now undermined by his own healthy helpings of pay and benefits.

Branstad clearly didn't like being asked about this arrangement Monday morning, insisting that he made a “significant sacrifice” in leaving his $400,000 job leading Des Moines University. But while Branstad's budget sacrifices would carry the force of law, nobody forced Branstad to seek Iowa's highest office for the fifth time. It's not a compelling argument.

And although there has been much talk about generous public sector pay, governing a state of 3 million people doesn't pay nearly as well as guiding a medical school with 900 students.

Branstad should figure out some voluntary way to forgo part or all of his pension while he's in office. It's an unneeded distraction that likely won't go away.