Posted on July 23, 2010 by Erin in News Clips, News Clips, Press Room
Ft. Dodge Messenger: Reynolds brings GOP game plan to FD
Few jobs are as simple as Lieutenant Governor of Iowa – on paper.
Statutorily speaking, the state’s second in command has few defined duties, other than standing ready to succeed the governor if needed.
But if elected, Kim Reynolds has no intention of limiting her activities to death and impeachment watch.
Reynolds, running mate of GOP gubernatorial candidate Terry Branstad, outlined her vision for the state during a campaign stop in Fort Dodge Thursday – part of an 14-city tour that includes a stop in Pocahontas today.
As lieutenant governor, Reynolds said she would draw on her experience in county government – she served 14 years as Clarke County treasurer before being elected to the Iowa Senate in 2008 – to help the state run more efficiently.
According to Reynolds, numerous opportunities exist for state and local governments to cooperate, which could allow services to be provided more efficiently.
“Every time we duplicate and overlap, that’s a cost to the taxpayers,” she said.
During her tenure as Clarke County treasurer, Reynolds helped develop a website accessible to residents of all counties through which they can pay fees.
This allowed counties that may not be able to develop their own such services to provide them, Reynolds said – a prime example of cooperative government.
“We need to make sure there are no barriers in place,” she said.
Speaking to a crowd of about two dozen at Webster County GOP headquarters, Reynolds stressed the advantages of a Branstad administration.
In traveling throughout Iowa, Reynolds said she’s heard several common themes expressed among the electorate.
“People have had it with the spending, taxing and bonding that is going on with this administration,” she said, referring to Gov. Chet Culver.
Reynolds reaffirmed Branstad’s commitment to returning the state to a “pay-as-you-go” system.
Branstad, said Reynolds, understands what it takes to bring about economic development. Specifically, she said, appointed directors of state departments need to be the most qualified people possible.
“They can’t have a new scandal every week,” said Reynolds, taking a swipe at recent occurrences within Iowa Department of Economic Development, including fraud related to a film tax program.
“(Branstad) doesn’t pick from within the political cronyism inside thing,” Reynolds said.
True economic development, said Reynolds, will come about if the state gets its fiscal house in order.
