Branstad defends drawing his pension from his previous tenure and his current salary simultaneously.

[Skidmore]

He's earned it, he says. If we have a pension fight here with union members, we'll need to remind him that we earned ours too.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20110222/NEWS0...

Branstad says he's entitled to receive pension plus salary
11:23 PM, Feb. 21, 2011 |

Written by
THOMAS BEAUMONT

Gov. Terry Branstad said Monday that he was justified in receiving a pension from his previous years in state government and his salary as governor, arguing he is earning both.

The Iowa Democratic Party has begun airing an Internet ad criticizing Branstad for receiving both while he calls for deep spending cuts.

"What I earned from the 26 years I served in public service before, like any other employee, is something I earned. And I never intended to refuse to accept that," Branstad told reporters.

Branstad served in the Legislature, was lieutenant governor for four years and governor for 16 years before leaving state government in 1999. He returned in January after defeating Gov. Chet Culver...