"Our commercial property tax is among the highest in the country,and we need to reduce it," he said. "We've proposed that new businesses should be allowed to function for three years without (corporate income or sales) taxes and then phase those taxes in over time."

Branstad has also vowed to halve Iowa's corporate income tax rates.

The Size of Government

Throughout the 2010 campaign, Branstad has spoken out against the state's budget deficit and stressed the need for government reorganization.

"We ought to be reducing the size and cost of government, and I've said I would do that," Branstad declared.

To accomplish this while simultaneously cutting taxes, Branstad has proposed a series of government reforms, including selling the state motor-vehicle fleet, reforming the pension system for state employees and merging the state's six different email systems.

Preschool Education

Branstad also proposed cuts to the state's funding of preschool education, and the issue became one of the most controversial during the 2010 campaign. Branstad opposes free preschool education for all Iowa children. Instead, he favors a system in which families that can afford to pay for preschool do so and those that can't are given financial assistance by the state.

"My children went to private schools, and we paid tuition," Branstad said. "Those who have need should be allowed scholarships to attend Catholic, Christian, nonprofit and public schools."

Same-sex Marriage

As governor, Branstad signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1998. The Iowa Supreme Court struck down the law in 2009, making same-sex marriage legal in the state. Branstad's supports an amendment to Iowa's constitution that would define marriage as between a man and a woman:

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