Go ahead, governor, surprise us

So our governor delivers his annual Condition of the State speech this morning. And from what I've read, we're to expect no surprises.

Gov. Terry Branstad won re-election to an unprecedented sixth term without breaking much of a sweat or unveiling a bold policy agenda. That caution is likely to continue today, when the governor addresses a Legislature controlled by House Republicans and Senate Democrats. A 'limited” agenda in the face of those divisions will be praised as realistic and pragmatic.

Very true, but also disappointing.

Even as the present looks pretty good, Iowa is facing some big challenges on its horizon. Its economic growth hinges on meeting future workforce needs and finding the bucks to make major investments in infrastructure. Family incomes have stagnated for many Iowans. Democrats and Republicans acknowledge our tax structure has flaws. Poverty, especially child poverty, remains a daunting problem in many communities.

The governor has championed reforming the teaching profession, but that's just one among many challenges facing school districts struggling to adapt to 21st century education needs. The state spends precious little protecting threatened natural resources that are among its most valuable assets. Quality of life, rural development, technological change. These are the issues that will shape the future.

Yeah, I know. the budget is tight, the Statehouse is divided and bite-sized is best at times like this. That's conventional wisdom.

But Branstad is a six-term governor, who should feel a whole lot freer now to shove aside typical political concerns and share a bolder vision and some unconventional wisdom. He's been governor for 20 years, and having witnessed this state change in so many ways, his capacity for generating ideas on meeting our future challenges should be formidable.

And yet, he hasn't embraced that freedom. The governor acknowledges the need for new dollars to repair roads and bridges, and likely will again today. But he resists floating his own plan for raising those dollars, instead, leaving all the details to skittish lawmakers.

Imagine if the governor surprised us with a major tax reform proposal or an innovative approach to provide resources to keep more pollutants out of our waterways or a proposal freeing schools from an array of top-down mandates to give educators room to transform learning.

Sure, lawmakers might shrug and snort and point to the tight budget and their political divisions. Perhaps they'd say the governor is being unrealistic. But the undefeated grand champion of Iowa politics shouldn't be afraid of a few nattering nabobs and critics. He's got political capital piled high and deep. Why not risk some? You can't take it with you.

And maybe the governor will surprise us today, or perhaps on Friday when he delivers his inaugural address. All this downplaying and lowering of expectations is a head fake. Branstad 6.0 has a few tricks up his sleeve.

So go ahead, governor, surprise us. Start building that legacy today.

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