The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released a 2024 legislative agenda that is once again designed to promote business, job and economic growth.
During its final meeting last year, IBC’s members voted to focus on the priorities it believes will continue to increase Iowa’s tax competitiveness, enhance strategic workforce opportunities that increase Iowa’s talent pipeline, and support policies that improve Iowa’s ability to attract and retain cutting-edge companies.
“The Iowa Business Council remains firmly committed to its founding mission to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Iowa,” said IBC Chair Phil Jasper, the president of Mission Systems at Collins Aerospace.
He added in a news release: “Our state has taken significant steps in recent years to thoughtfully increase our competitiveness while also advancing key measures that enhance our workforce retention and recruitment capabilities. That work must continue in 2024 and beyond.”
IBC President Joe Murphy said “We are excited to continue our advocacy efforts to make Iowa a more competitive place to do business and create a high quality life. The IBC looks forward to working with all members of the Iowa General Assembly and Governor (Kim) Reynolds throughout 2024 in pursuit of these initiatives.”
The IBC state legislative priorities for this year include:
- Competitive Tax Policy: The IBC will focus on maximizing recent efforts to make Iowa’s income tax system more competitive for individuals and corporations. Long-term, achieving a top-15 most competitive states ranking in both individual and corporate tax climate will help create jobs, expand business, and drive innovation.
- Workforce Strategies: The availability of a talented pipeline is critical for long-term economic prosperity in Iowa. The IBC said it will continue to advocate for initiatives that grow Iowa’s workforce including work-based learning programs, child care, and housing for all. By partnering with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the IBC said it will continue working to increase the supply of mental health professionals while also exploring increasing public funding mechanisms.
- Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) Program: The IBC also said it fully supports the passage of the MEGA Program legislation. “This important economic development tool is specifically tailored to expand business opportunities in Iowa that will be primarily engaged in research and development, bioscience, or advanced manufacturing while investing at least $1 billion in Iowa and providing high quality, high paying jobs,” the IBC release said.
In the face of ongoing U.S. workforce challenges across all industry sectors, the IBC said it also will support federal immigration reform and modernization as a tool to bolster economic development and population growth.
“Increasing visa caps, expediting processing, and providing efficient opportunities to retain foreign-born talent who were educated throughout Iowa’s higher educational system are all common sense approaches that will enhance Iowa’s workforce,” the council said.
To learn more, visit www.IowaBusinessCouncil.org.
