By DUANE NOLLEN
OSKALOOSA — Former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad stopped in Oskaloosa Tuesday afternoon to meet with some potential Republican supporters.
Branstad said he has been traveling around the state to meet with business leaders and to hear from residents about issues that concern them. Branstad traveled from Dubuque to Oskaloosa, where he met some Republicans gathered at Smokey Row.
Branstad, a former four-term governor, has not declared his candidacy for governor, but said he will make an announcement in January.
“I have retired from Des Moines University. I’m officially unemployed,” he said.
Branstad sees the projected $1 billion budget deficit as the challenge facing the state.
It is “the biggest deficit in state history,” he said.
Branstad said a lack of foresight and out of control spending has put the state in its current financial situation. He said state government needs to get a handle on spending and streamline the delivery of services to people.
Herald Editor Duane Nollen can be reached by email at oskynews@oskyherald.com
