Branstad should share his plans

Our governor is pledging to serve his entire sixth term if he's re-elected this fall. Swell. But good luck figuring out what he wants to do with four more years.

At multiple points during last week's State Fair debate between Gov. Terry Branstad and his Democratic challenger, state Sen. Jack Hatch, the governor couldn't explain his plans for dealing with key issues during a sixth term. The emperor, it seems, has no details, or very few of them that he's willing to talk about.

Asked about the growing funding challenges facing the state's deteriorating transportation system, the governor said we need a 'new system” for funding roads. What is that new system? Branstad couldn't say, even after nearly 20 years in office.

All he knows is he can't bring himself to commit to anything potentially unpopular, such as raising the gas tax. It hasn't been increased since 1989. It's probably the best option for swiftly raising the bucks needed now. But the governor says he's worried about low-income commuters. This from the guy who twice vetoed increases in the Earned Income Tax Credit because he didn't get the large business tax cuts he wanted.

Don't commit to anything. Just keep saying we need a new system.

'When is it going to happen?” moderator Dean Borg asked Branstad.

'Next year,” Branstad said, drawing laughter from the audience.

Branstad also was asked for his plans on cutting or reforming income taxes. 'We haven't decided in terms of what to do on that,” Branstad said.

Hatch would raise the gas tax by a dime, phased in over five years, and would seek to give local governments more say over how those road dollars are spent. Hatch would provide an income-tax cut for dual-income working families and increase the child tax credit to $500. Maybe you like those ideas, and maybe you don't, but at least Hatch didn't ask us to wait until next year or check his website.

Neither candidate had much to say about shoring up the state's pension system. I also wasn't crazy about Hatch's contention that the minimum wage is the biggest problem facing Iowa. That's one piece of a much bigger problem, namely stagnant wages for workers across the income spectrum.

Even worse, though, was Branstad's answer. ”Well, the federal government is the biggest problem we have facing our state and country,” Branstad said. Coming up with your own solutions isn't nearly as fun as whipping scapegoats. The governor spent more time talking about mistakes Chet Culver made than what he plans to do next.

With a big lead and millions in his campaign account, Branstad's camp is probably thinking win first, explain later. But somebody asking Iowans for an unprecedented sixth term should have more to say than simply wait and see.

It could be that Branstad has plans he'd rather not share, especially the stuff he'd like to do if Republicans control the Legislature. If that happens, I doubt the governor will be satisfied with bite-sized bipartisan plans like broadband expansion and an anti-bullying bill.

We deserve to know his plans before the coronation.

l Comments: (319) 398-8452; todd.dorman@thegazette.com.