Former IA Gov. Terry Branstad Stops In Sioux City

Former IA Gov. Terry Branstad Stops In Sioux City

He was once in charge of the state of Iowa.

Now he wants another shot at it.

He's no stranger to the state, and his talk with the Rotary Club, sounded more like a campaign stop.

So what do local leaders feel about Terry Branstad's future plans?

Former Governor Terry Branstad stopped in Sioux City for lunch, and an unofficial campaign stop.

Branstad talked about what he would change if he was elected governor.

Topics like property taxes, economic development, and most importantly, the states budget were brought to light, and with a budget that's leaving iowa schools in the dark, many school leaders are encouraged by his ideas.

"Well i'm very pleased that governor branstad understands that community colleges and economic development work hand in hand, and are extremely important to the future of Iowa. So that's gratifying to hear and we'll work with him to make that happen, says President of WITCC Dr. Robert Dunker.

Branstad also says his previous experience as governor for over ten years, will be able to help him pull the state of the budget slump.

"Well I led Iowa from the farm crisis of the 1980s and helped put together spending reforms that got spending off auto pilot once before, got the budget balance on generally accepted principles and i left the state with a record number of unemployment, says Branstad.

But some think his experience, might bring extra problems.

"I have a feeling a lot of this experience comes with a lot of baggage, and he did an awful lot of things that people objected. He raised taxes many many times, and there's an awful lot of things that he said and did over the years that will come back to him, says Woodbury County Democrat Rick Mullen.

But while this wasn't an official campaign stop, Branstad says those will likely be coming in the near future.

Branstad adds that as a part of his campaign, he will visit all 99 counties in Iowa.