Branstad, Hatch make voter appeals as Iowa governor race winds down

DES MOINES - Republican Terry Branstad and Democrat Jack Hatch hit the campaign trail Monday, with the incumbent GOP governor focusing on a quality-of-life initiative and his challenger urging voters to consider a change of state leadership when they go to the polls next month.

Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds touted an 'IowaNext” proposal during stops in Boone, Carroll, Harlan and Greenfield. He said he wants a 'holistic vision” for all quality-of-life initiatives. That, he said, will 'jump-start” cultural, tourism and recreational programs. Funding, he said, would be 'repurposed” from the state general fund, Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure account as well as new, sustainable funding streams utilizing public/private partnerships.

The IowaNEXT Initiative and the IowaNEXT Fund would be managed by a board consisting of directors from state departments in charge of transportation, cultural affairs, natural resources and economic development, as well as seven public members appointed by the governor. The IowaNEXT Board would replace the existing Vision Iowa Board.

As an example of new investments that would be considered, Branstad proposed revitalizing the State Historical Building, broadening its mission and purpose, and transforming it into a new Iowa Culture Center that would serve as the central cultural hub of Iowa.

Jack Hatch, a three-term state senator seeking to unseat Branstad, said the governor has launched a campaign tour aimed at 'pulling voters' attention away from his dismal record of mismanagement, scandal and terrible decision-making” since returning to Terrace Hill in January 2011.

Hatch, who attended a fundraiser Monday in Des Moines, warned Iowans in a statement not to trust Branstad latest promise because he hasn't kept his past promises

'This is just another campaign promise doomed to be broken by a mismanaged administration that doesn't measure outcomes. Terry Branstad promised Iowans 200,000 jobs but created less than a third of those. He promised a 25 percent increase in family income, and Iowa families know only too well he broke that promise too,” Hatch said.

'If there were any truth in his statements, Branstad would call his proposal - Iowa Next-To-Last,” Hatch added.