Legislative

The Chamber advocates for its members at the state level through active involvement with our elected legislators, lobbying for business-related issues via the Iowa Chamber Alliance, and organizing the North Iowa Day on the Hill.

Chamber members can stay informed during the legislative session by reading the weekly Chamber Advocate newsletter.

Talent Development and Attraction

Grow Iowa’s Population and Build a Talent Pipeline

• Make Iowa a welcoming environment inclusive of a broad diversity of people.

• Continue support of IEDA’s pilot program to recruit new and former residents through Iowa Chamber Alliance communities and RoleCall.

Ensure Working Iowans Have Access to Affordable, Quality Care

• Continue funding grants that leverage private investments into a Wage Enhancement Program

• Permanently appropriate funds for child care assistance (CCA) subsidies for child care providers through categorical inclusion into CCA.

• Enact state income tax exemption for child care employees.

Enhance North Iowa’s Quality of Life

• Prioritize resources for local recreational, arts, historic preservation, and humanities programs.

Prepare North Iowa’s Future Workforce

• Sufficiently fund Iowa’s K-12 and post-secondary schools at a level that is both appropriate and sustainable.

• Emphasize STEM programming and apprenticeship opportunities.

• Support legislation to promote Work-Based Learning in Iowa’s K-12 schools.

Lack of Housing InhibitsTalent Attraction
• Impact the housing shortage through state and local development efforts including Downtown Housing Grant, Housing Tax Credit Program, and Home Rehabilitation Block Grant.
• Reinstate 100% tax abatement for housing projects identified by the local government.

Provide the Tools Needed to Grow Business
• Support IEDA’s use of economic development tools to attract new industry
• Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Local Option Sales & Service Tax (LOSST) should continue under local control.

Tourism Investment Results in Economic & Population Growth
• Provide economic funding through one-time programs such as Destination Iowa as well as sustainable, permanent programs.
• Support tax incentives for movie & television production in Iowa.
• Allow local community control over hotel/motel tax rate and allow communities to increase this tax rate to support tourism initiatives.
• Fund the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust.