Iowa gov. candidates hit trail

SCHLESWIG, Iowa — The Crawford and Ida County Republicans partnered to host “Barnstorming for Governor,” an opportunity for Republican governor candidates to mingle with constituents and address questions at the Chris Knudson farm north of Schleswig.

In attendance were Rep. Rod Roberts, Carroll; Bob Vander Plaats, Sioux City; Rep. Christopher Rants, Sioux City; and Christian Fong, Cedar Rapids.

Candidates also include Jerry Behn, Boone, and Terry Branstad, Boone, although Branstad has not formally announced his candidacy.

Gwen Ecklund of Crawford County Republicans said Behn and Branstad were invited but did not attend.

Candidates spoke for 10 minutes each and then answered questions from the audience.

Below are excerpts of their answers:

What do you propose to stimulate the economy?

Vander Plaats: Implement a “friendly” corporate tax and regulatory structure. “We need common sense regulation.”

Rants: “I think some (tax) credits have value. The research and activity tax credit has led to hundreds of good paying jobs that require highly skilled workers. ... Those jobs could be anywhere in the country or anywhere in the world. We want to have companies like Pioneer, Dupont and Monsanto in Iowa.”

Other ideas Rants shared included providing an “attitude adjustment” to the regulatory climate — treat good operators differently than bad — and reducing property taxes.

Roberts: Eliminate business income tax, which will tell businesses considering locating in Iowa, “We’re serious about growing our economy and we want your business here.”

Fong: “We cannot tax productivity.” Since economic growth is a “state-by-state competition for jobs” the way to attract workers and businesses to Iowa is to eliminate income tax.

How can Iowa fight illegal immigration?

Vander Plaats: Anyone should be allowed to come into the state as long as they do it the right way. “Illegal immigration is a state issue every bit as much as it is a federal issue.” The answer, he said, is to allow law enforcement to punish those who harbor and sustain illegal immigrants. Iowa should model its policy after those in Arizona and Oklahoma, which Vander Plaats said have strict policies restricting access to employment.

Which national economic issue affects Iowa the most?

Rants: While saying that it isn’t an easy question, he offered the example of health care reform. Much attention is focused on a proposed public option, but increased cost for Iowa may also come from an increased number of Medicaid recipients. Regardless of the specific issue, since many will impact Iowa, the importance of reigning in control over the state budget becomes even more important.

How do you propose to make higher education affordable for students?

Roberts: Public institutions (regents’ universities) should be funded at a rate of at least 50 percent.