DSM USA Policy HQ - Final 2021 Episode

The DSM USA Policy Headquarters podcast is a monthly conversation between experts on public policy topics impacting business and the relationship between government and the private sector. 

In the final episode of 2021, the Greater Des Moines Partnership’s public policy team, including Andrea Woodard, senior VP of government relations and public policy, and Ryan Moon, public policy manager and a public policy intern, welcomed Government Policy Council (GPC) leadership, including Matt Ahmann, GPC chair and assistant vice president of government relations at Principal, and Onnalee Kelley, GPC co-chair and director of government affairs at MidAmerican Energy Company, to discuss policy highlights from the year and what they’re looking forward to discussing in 2022.  

As outgoing chair, Ahmann said he sees workforce as an ongoing issue for the state of Iowa, and something that will continue being discussed going into 2022. Kelley, as incoming chair, said that in 2022 reconnecting with workforce and attracting and retaining employees is a top priority. 

Events

Kelley said the roundtable event with Senator Ernst was a successful recent policy event and one of her favorites of the year. In 2022, DMDC is an event she is looking forward to attend after being delayed due to the pandemic.  

In the News 

Ahmann, from a policy perspective, has been struck by how national discourse drives the debate locally. Did the pandemic drive those national issues to become Iowa issues, or is this something that should be expected in the future? In terms of looking ahead, this can complicate things for the business community. Kelley touched on how federal bills are bringing in such large money to the states that the states have to act, to which Ahmann said the state has to figure out how to navigate spending those funds while keeping long-term goals in mind.  

Predictions for 2022

Kelley said in 2022 she predicts a tax overhaul in Iowa’s legislature, as well as consideration to which tax credits may be reduced or changed. On the federal level, she said if democrats don’t rebrand, republicans will be situated well to take back the house and senate. Ahmann said it’s difficult to predict what will be the hot-ticket issues in the fall of 2022.  

Listen to the entire podcast above. 

The DSM USA Policy Headquarters podcast focuses on public policy topics impacting business and the relationship between government and the private sector. Join us each month to hear from local Greater Des Moines (DSM) experts. To listen to more Partnership podcasts, click here.