Turn eloquent words into results

By The Gazette Editorial Board

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Welcome back, Gov. Terry Branstad.

Iowa's 41st governor was sworn in Friday morning for an unprecedented fifth term in office. It's been 12 years since he left office in 1999, and even Branstad joked Friday that it's hard to believe he's back.

But from what we heard in his inaugural address, there are reasons to be optimistic that his fifth term will be a successful one for Iowa. Arguing that Iowa's best days are ahead, if we make wise decisions, Branstad promised a “new covenant” between state government and its bosses, the people.

In broad rhetorical strokes, Branstad called for limiting the cost of government and pulling back its regulatory reach to make room for growth. He likened too much government to “lead boots” that slow Iowa's sprint toward prosperity.

Branstad vowed to make taxes lower and simpler. He called for returning Iowa schools to global prominence. The new governor called on Iowans to serve their communities, and called on communities to celebrate successes.

“Iowa stands at the precipice of opportunity greater than at any time since our ancestors crossed the Mississippi to view an expanse of prairie as far as the eye could see,” Branstad said.

Now, it's time for us to look ahead. And it's time for Branstad to turn broad strokes into detailed plans.

We hope that the governor's search for government savings is based on what Iowans need and which programs work, and not on the political considerations of a party or interest groups. We hope that he removes those regulatory lead boots in a cautious manner that does not leave Iowa's people or natural resources exposed to serious harm. And of course, in this area, we'll be watching to see if the governor takes action on watershed management efforts that reduce the threat of flooding.

Tax reductions, especially cuts and reforms that make Iowa more attractive for business and job growth, are welcome. But we hope that tax cuts for one group does not mean simply shifting a tax increase to others.

We share Branstad's desire to make Iowa's schools the envy of the world once again, and we're hopeful that his call for a summit of national and state schools leaders will yield solid ideas.

And we hope Branstad can use his clout to push the Legislature to stay focused on these big issues when it's tempted to take side trips toward social issues that do little more than divide us. As an experienced, elder statesman, Branstad should swiftly step in to provide adult supervision when reckless politics erupts at the Statehouse.

We welcome Branstad and his eloquent words. Now it's time for action.