Branstad stops in Fairfield on ?Working Together? tour

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad was in Fairfield Tuesday afternoon, appearing at Revelations Book Store and Cafe where he spoke to and answered questions from a gathering of approximately 30 people.

The governor spoke primarily about responsible budgeting and property tax reform and relief as well as creating an atmosphere to attract jobs to the state. Following the main points of his presentation, the floor was opened for questions.

Mayor Ed Malloy questioned how local governments would be compensated for a loss of revenue realized from the reduction of commercial property taxes. According the Branstad, there would be partial compensation from the state, but the bulk of revenues would result from new business attracted through the lowering of property taxes. According to a handout from Branstad, main street businesses in Iowa pay more in property taxes than a business of the same size in midtown Manhattan or Chicago. Jim Rubis questioned the advisability of the personnel cuts in the Department of Human Services and the Department of Natural Resources.

?How are we going to take care of the dirtiest water in the country when you eliminate DHS and DNR jobs that can?t inspect pollution from agriculture and CAFOs?? Rubis asked.

Branstad replied, ? I disagree with your claim that we have the dirtiest water,? pointing out the increase in the number of fishable trout streams. ?We have some pollution probably due to excessive rains and floods, but we now have 20 trout streams instead of 12.?

This prompted Fred Rosenberg to comment, ?When I came here in 1979, you could swim in every lake around here. Now we can?t. Iowa had 18 inches of topsoil and now we have half that due to farming practices.?

Branstad pointed out the improvements in technology has helped farmers apply fertilizers only where needed, reducing the amount used overall, as well as the fact that erosion has been curtailed by increased use of no-till or reduced till as opposed to plowing the soil bare.

When asked how he felt about Branstad?s response, Rosenberg said, ?It was just OK. He didn?t go to the root of the problem ? no-till doesn?t help the watershed. He didn?t address that.?

Jay Mattson asked Branstad what he proposed to do about the brain-drain, pointing out that when he lived in Minnesota, college graduates from Iowa were flocking to Minneapolis. ?What to you propose to turn Des Moines into a cultural center like Minneapolis??

The governor mentioned several changes and improvements in Des Moines over the years and businesses that have made their headquarters there, pointing out the benefits of a public/private partnership.

Other questions raised concerned entitlements and energy efficiency and production. With only one hour per stop on his ?Working Together for a Better Future? tour around the state, no subject received an in-depth response, nor an opportunity for dialogue. Branstad encourages citizens to contact their senators and representatives with their concerns.