Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds launch “Jobs for Iowa” tour

State of Iowa Seal

Three-week tour will span entire state, focus on economic development

(DES MOINES) –Gov. Terry E. Branstad and Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds today announced they will be launching a series of town hall meetings as part of their “Jobs for Iowa” tour.

“We have put forward bold, innovative solutions for job creation in Iowa,” said Branstad. “In visiting every Iowa county, I know what job creators seek in order to expand or locate here. Our tour will allow us to meet and network with Iowans throughout the state over the next three weeks, and discuss our plans for growing our economy.”

The Branstad-Reynolds jobs plan includes:

· Cutting Iowa corporate income tax rates in half, which currently has the highest top rate in the country.

· Bringing commercial property taxes to 60 percent of value, down from the current rate of 100 percent. Commercial property in Des Moines pays more tax that similar property in New York City, Chicago, Kansas City and Philadelphia. Rural areas face similar odds against their counterparts nationwide.

· Remaking the Department of Economic Development into a 21st Century public-private partnership that works with businesses to create jobs.

· A sunset of rules and regulations every four years to determine their effectiveness, and have a jobs-impact statement with every new proposal that affects economic growth in Iowa.

· Touring the country and world in search of new jobs for the state of Iowa.