Iowa Governor Plans To Lure Calif. Businesses To Hawkeye State
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Iowa Governor Terry Branstad will visit California Tuesday to convince Golden State businesses to move to the Hawkeye State.
Branstad said he will try to get companies that already do business in his state to move their headquarters to Iowa, where taxes aren't as high.
"(California is) happy hunting ground. They're raising taxes. It's like Illinois. There are great opportunities out there," said Branstad.
Branstad said Gov. Brown is welcome to visit Iowa any time he wants to "steal" businesses and jobs.
"Last time I saw him in Iowa, he came in December to the Farm Bureau Convention without a coat. Most people said this guy…he doesn't have a clue. He was running for President of the United States at that time. This is 'Moonbeam' Jerry Brown, you know," he laughed.
The Iowa governor's two-day trip comes a week after Texas Governor Rick Perry came to California with a similar plan to attract businesses.
Brown, who was left unfazed by Perry's visit, seemed to be unimpressed by Branstad's plans.
A spokesman for Brown said it's no surprise Branstad is heading to the Golden State this week since Iowa is expecting 10 inches of snow.
The spokesman also said California has created more than a quarter million private sector jobs in the last year.
