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DES MOINES — Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday he will not give up the Iowa Public Employees’ Retirement System (IPERS) pension he earned during his 26 years as a politician, despite his campaign manager Jeff Boeynik stating during the campaign Branstad would forgo the pension payments if he were elected.
Branstad came under fire last week when it was reported the Governor is still receiving a $52,000 annual pension on top of his $130,000 salary as governor.
“What I earned from the 26 years that I served in public service before, like any other employee, is something that I earned and I never intended to refuse to accept that,” Branstad said.”Listen, I’ve taken a substantial financial sacrifice to run for this office. This pays — my income is less than half of [what it] was as president of Des Moines University. I’m doing it because I love Iowa and I think I can make a difference. Those people who want to attack me personally, if they think this is going to change my commitment to serve the people of Iowa or to do what we need to do to bring the jobs here, and reduce the tax burden on Iowa citizens, or get our financial house in order, they are wrong.”
Branstad did say he does not think when someone comes back to work, they should be able to start a new pension, so he would like to see that changed.
“Desperate people that know they’re on the wrong side of the issue like to resort to personal attacks,” Branstad said. “In fact you wouldn’t have seen my tax return except for the fact I personally made the decision to release it.”
According to the tax returns he shared with reporters in 2010, before the Republican primary, Branstad was earning at least $357,000 annually as president of Des Moines University. His IPERS pension amounted to an additional $52,000.
Branstad and his family also owned a dozen buildings they rented out, and served on four corporate boards, which earned him over $21,000 in 2009.
Democrats in Iowa were quick to criticize the governor, as Branstad has repeatedly stated Iowans will all need to share personal sacrifice in order to improve the economy.
“Governor Branstad is receiving $182,000 directly from taxpayers, in addition to free housing and transportation, said Iowa Democratic Party Chairperson Sue Dvorsky, adding that he also maintains a personal chef and housekeeper. “I don’t see benefits like that as a sacrifice.”
Others have said Branstad didn’t have to choose to run for governor.
The IDP has put in an Open Records request to further examine the budget for Terrace Hill, the governor’s residence, transportation costs of the governor’s office, and any communications referring to his pension. They also released a Web Ad criticizing Branstad.
“People want to attack me for opening that information that they never would of have the opportunity to see, and other people don’t have the responsibility to release, that says they’re interested in personal attacks. Because they don’t like the fact I’m leading the state in a different direction,” Branstad said.
Boeynik, who is currently Branstad’s chief of staff, now says he misspoke during the campaign.
The Governor then turned to criticize the union contract signed by Gov. Chet Culver, when asked about whether he would ask for furloughs or pay cuts, or take one himself.
“The President [of the United States] is saying two-year pay freeze for national employees, if this would be done, we would avoid some of these layoffs. But if [unions] refuse to cooperate and work with us, then we have no choice but to manage government with the resources we have.”
However, Branstad says he will not give him self a pay cut furlough as some governors have in other states, while he seeks to correct the structural budget deficit.
Dvorsky pointed out Culver gave himself a 10 percent salary cut when he ordered the 10 percent across the board cut.
But Branstad is still seeking to make changes to union contracts, specifically relating to health care.
“This is not 1974 anymore,” Branstad said, adding that health care costs have become a huge problem in recent years. Because of that, he said, health care costs should not be a part of mandatory negotiations, and public employees should contribute to their coverage.
When asked if he wished he’d followed a path Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker had taken in terms of dealing with the unions, Branstad said “This is not Wisconsin, and I’m glad this is not Wisconsin.”
Branstad on his IPERS Pension and Labor Contracts by Tyler Kingkade
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