Terry Branstad on Technology

Fix crumbling bridges AND rural internet

Hatch sought to criticize Branstad's administration over a recent revelation that some former state workers were given confidential settlement payments. "There needs to be a fresh start in education and job development and taking care of rural Iowa," Hatch said.

Branstad said he wanted to come up with a plan for repairing crumbling bridges and roads that didn't include raising the gas tax, which he said would hurt poor Iowans. Branstad also spoke about his efforts to maintain the amount of ethanol in the nation's fuel supply, given Iowa's role as the nation's leading producer of ethanol, a fuel additive primarily made from corn.

Connect Every Iowan Act: broadband to under-served areas

My plan includes programs that will train workers for 21st century careers in information and communications technology. My plan also calls for moving to ICN 2.0, repurposing the Iowa Communications Network so it can partner with the private sector to provide connectivity in underserved areas of our state. Together, we can use broadband technology to grow the Iowa Dream throughout our state, especially in rural areas. As our connection speeds increase, so does the pace of our economic progress, so does our ability to grow jobs, and so does our ability to turn the Iowa Dream into reality

Partnership between state and Google is good for jobs

While 97% of people research local products and services online, 59% of small businesses in Iowa do not have a website.