Supporting tax policies that boost economic growth, more federal funding for site readiness, and maintaining and growing investment in the Rock Island Arsenal top the Quad Cities Chamber’s 2025 Federal Legislative Agenda.
The recently released document also will serve as a benchmark against which the regional chamber will evaluate federal proposals in the year ahead, the organization said in a news release.
Specifically those chamber priorities are:
- Support the extension and inclusion of key tax provisions that support economic growth and have specific regional impact in the Quad Cities.
- Support the creation of federal funding for site readiness.
- Maintain and grow investment and resources on the Rock Island Arsenal.
That list was shaped through one-on-one conversations with business and community leaders, group discussions and committee meetings, and a survey of chamber members, the chamber said. The chamber staff regularly compile a legislative agenda.
“The Chamber is eager to bring together business leaders and federal officials from both parties to promote pro-growth policy over the coming year,” said Ryan Sempf, the chamber’s executive director of government affairs. “There are major items in front of Congress this year including tax reform. The business community’s voice will be important as the country takes on these challenges.”
The full agenda focuses on workforce, transportation and infrastructure, regulations and trade including:
Workforce:
- Support passage of short-term Pell legislation to support skilled trade certifications and upskilling of existing workforce.
- Support reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act with full funding and modernization that maintains and enhances local control.
- Support bipartisan changes to the U.S. immigration system that assist employers with difficult-to-fill roles.
- Aggressively pursue federal research funding to support local institutions and research capabilities in the Quad Cities region.
- Grow investment in childcare availability and affordability.
Transportation & Infrastructure:
- Support municipal and regional “community project funding” and grant applications.
- Support implementation of the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, and secure new funding for large-scale regional projects.
- Assist with and promote funding opportunities through Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
Regulation:
- Encourage a light-touch regulatory approach that emphasizes stability, predictability and fairness.
Trade:
- Support targeted improvements in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement during the six-year review process.
- Support passage of new Miscellaneous Tariff bill, and reauthorization of other trade assistance programs.
- Support efforts to onshore and “friendshore” American manufacturing in industries key to the American manufacturing supply chain.
The Quad Cities Chamber facilitates business growth to help create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive. Its work is focused in three strategic areas: business and economic growth; workforce and talent development; and quality of place. For more information visit quadcitieschamber.com.
