Condition of the State: Internet, roads top Branstad's priorities for 2015

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad offered a lengthy list of priorities for his 21st year in office on Tuesday, mixing previous agenda items, promises from last year's campaign and entirely new proposals into his annual Condition of the State address to a joint session of the state Legislature.

Branstad, 68, called on the assembled lawmakers to join him in supporting new anti-bullying measures, cheaper higher-education options, more worker training opportunities and tougher domestic-violence laws.

Perhaps the top priorities, though, fell under the broad category of infrastructure. Branstad devoted much of the address to demanding expanded high-speed internet access and additional funding for roads and bridges.

"This is our opportunity to pave the road toward Iowa's strong future," Branstad said from the House chamber dais. "Together, we can find common ground and pass a bipartisan plan to fund the systems critical to our state's vitality: Iowa's roads and bridges, and our broadband infrastructure."

On broadband internet, Branstad's administration is asking the Legislature to create a $5 million grant program, under which state dollars could fund expansions of internet lines into unserved and underserved areas.

That approach marks a departure from a bill that failed in 2014. That measure primarily relied on tax incentives to spur new investments, and was widely seen as insufficient.

Branstad was less specific about his road and bridge funding, a politically perilous issue that almost certainly will involve increased costs at the gas pump for motorists and require delicate, bipartisan negotiations.

"Without action, Iowa's roads and bridges face an uncertain future," he said. "Our farmers will find it more difficult to deliver commodities to market. Business and industry will look elsewhere when considering where to invest and grow."

On college affordability, Branstad said he's challenged the state Board of Regents to develop $10,000 degree programs at Iowa's three public universities.

Branstad also announced an entirely new proposal concerning domestic violence. The state should be more willing to use GPS monitoring for dangerous abusers and classify anyone convicted three times of domestic abuse as a "habitual offender," increasing their mandatory sentence.

The governor also spoke at length on bullying, an issue he's pressed before the Legislature for the last three years. His bill this year will be similar to previous measures, but will give students who transfer schools because of bullying immediate eligibility or sports and activities.

The 31-minute speech was focused almost entirely on priorities for the current year and the newly convened legislative session.

Branstad will be inaugurated for his sixth term in office later this week, and ostensibly will offer a more long-term vision in the speech following his swearing-in.