The Iowa Senate’s passage of Senate File (SF) 603 threatens the construction industry, undermining local control and the labor-management partnerships that have long strengthened Iowa communities. If signed by Governor Kim Reynolds, this bill would weaken apprenticeship programs and jeopardize workforce quality, safety, and economic stability. The Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting, the Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council, and the Quad Cities Foundation for Fair Contracting Trust stand firmly opposed and urge Governor Reynolds to veto this harmful legislation.
At its core, SF 603 prevents state and local governments from requiring apprenticeship training on private projects funded by tax increment financing (TIF) dollars. This is a direct assault on local decision-making, stripping communities of the ability to ensure quality construction and workforce development. Apprenticeship programs are not just a labor issue – they are a shared investment by both labor and management in the future of the industry. These programs create a pipeline of skilled workers, enhance safety, and drive local economic growth.
A study by the Midwest Economic Policy Institute underscores the economic benefits of Iowa’s apprenticeship programs and the importance of a local workforce. By eliminating these requirements, SF 603 disrupts the cooperative framework that allows Iowa’s construction industry to thrive.
The timing of this legislation, coupled with reductions in unemployment benefits, reveals a disturbing disregard for the well-being of working families and the stability of the construction industry. Brian Atkins, executive director of the Tri-City Building and Construction Trades Council, called these policies “direct hits to the livelihoods and dignity of Iowa’s labor force.”
SF 603 does not provide meaningful tax relief – it undermines workforce development and economic stability. We urge Governor Reynolds to stand with the skilled trades, responsible construction contractors, and the working families of Iowa by vetoing this harmful legislation and preserving the essential principles of local control and cooperation.
Andrew Waeyaert, regional manager of Indiana Illinois Iowa Foundation for Fair Contracting
Craig DeVrieze, Illowa Construction Labor & Management Council
Dave Adams, manager of Quad Cities Foundation for Fair Contracting Trust
