Branstad, Judge campaign locally during final week

RED OAK — With the election days away, Lt. Gov. Patty Judge accused Republican gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad of catering to Wall Street while the former four-term governor said Chet Culver is “waging class warfare.”

Both made campaign stops in Red Oak last week during their final push to Tuesday’s general election.
In an interview at the Red Oak Express, Judge said Branstad is turning his back on the middle class by promising to use excess state revenues for corporate tax credits. She said Gov. Culver will introduce a bill providing a $100 refund to residents in 2011.
“We want to be able to return some tax dollars to Iowans,” Judge said. “That kind of money stimulates Main Street. If the people of Red Oak get that money back in their pockets, hopefully, they will spend the money at Red Oak businesses.”
Following a rally at the Red Coach Inn Saturday afternoon, Branstad questioned the timing and sincerity of Culver’s plan.
“What he is doing is playing class warfare,” Branstad said. “I want to use that money to create jobs … which will really benefit Main Street more than $100. My focus is on jobs, while his focus is on buying votes.”
Branstad also responded to criticism from Culver’s campaign regarding his plan to reduce funding for the state preschool program.
“He starts a program the state can’t afford, and then cuts education funding across the board,” Branstad said. “I want preschool available for all four-year-olds and support providing the funding to those who truly need it.”
Judge said this issue is a defining difference between the two candidates.
“Terry Branstad wants to use that money for corporate tax credits, and I feel like that is very wrong,” she said. “We are seeing great results from that program, and it is working and it is working well. We want that to continue.”
She also mentioned 85 percent of brain development occurs before a child turns 5 years old.
“We have to stay focused on the fact we have to educate our kids and we have to start when they are young.”
Branstad though said more aggressive steps must be taken to stimulate Iowa’s economy, starting with a reduction in commercial property and income taxes.
“We have to unleash the private sector,” Branstad said. “We can do that by first, promising taxes won’t go up, but will go down.”
He said instead of charging 100 percent of market value for property taxes, he wants to reduce the figure to 60-65 percent, while also waiving income taxes for three years for new businesses.
Branstad was joined at the rally by his running mate, Sen. Kim Reynolds, who were both introduced by U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley.
Republican state candidates Brenna Findley (Attorney General), Bill Northey (Secretary of Agriculture), Matt Schultz (Secretary of State) and David Jamison (treasurer) were also introduced at the rally.