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Greater Des Moines Partnership 2015 State Legislative Agenda Announced

December 3, 2014

The Greater Des Moines Partnership unveiled its 2015 State Legislative Agenda at a luncheon today, Dec. 3, 2014, at the Renaissance Savery Hotel in Downtown Des Moines (DSM).

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal (D) and Assistant Republican Leader Charles Schneider (R) joined Speaker of the House Kraig Paulsen (R) and Rep. Marti Anderson (D) to participate in a panel discussion previewing the upcoming legislative session. 

The Partnership’s Legislative Agenda was developed from input by representatives of its investors and business members from its 21 regional Affiliate Chambers of Commerce.  The agenda includes a list of featured priorities that will drive the Partnership’s state public policy efforts in 2015. The Partnership’s featured priorities are:

  • The Partnership supports the creation and funding of a biochemical production tax credit to aid the expansion of the bio economy and create new jobs in the Cultivation Corridor.
  • The Partnership supports implementing the Iowa Core to establish statewide 21st Century learning standards and comprehensive student achievement assessments aligned to globally competitive critical learning skills.
  • The Partnership supports the priorities of Connect Iowa, which is working to ensure that all Iowans have more access to broadband, which will drive economic growth.
  • The Partnership supports full funding for the Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund, which will go toward creating and maintaining parks, trails, habitats, and waterways.
  • The Partnership supports a broad-based review of Iowa’s public pension plans to assure retirement security for public employees while limiting future growth in pension debt.
  • The Partnership supports finding new or alternative sources of surface transportation revenue, including an incremental increase in the fuel tax and continued improvements to the existing Road Use Tax Fund.
  • The Partnership supports giving businesses and individuals the option of either retaining the ability to deduct federal income taxes or choosing to forego federal deductibility in exchange for significantly reduced state income tax.

“Economic growth is achieved by creating an environment that is conducive to business success, leading to job expansion and increased state and local revenues,” said Dave Caris of MidAmerican Energy and the 2014 Government Policy Council Chair for the Partnership. “We look forward to working with the Governor, the Iowa General Assembly, and state agencies to accomplish mutually beneficial legislative goals and objectives for an economically thriving state and growing communities that plan and build for the future.”  

The Partnership’s full Legislative Agenda is available in electronic form at DSMpartnership.com/about/public-policy/state-advocacy.  A published copy of the agenda is available upon request.  For more information, contact the Greater Des Moines Partnership at (515) 286-4950. Media inquiries should be directed to Susan Ramsey at (515) 286-4954 or sramsey@DSMpartnership.com.

About the Greater Des Moines Partnership

The Greater Des Moines Partnership is the economic and community development organization that serves Greater Des Moines (DSM), Iowa. Together with 23 Affiliate Chambers of Commerce, more than 6,100 Regional Business Members and more than 320 Investors, The Partnership drives economic growth with one voice, one mission and as one region. Through innovation, strategic planning and global collaboration, The Partnership grows opportunity, helps create jobs and promotes DSM as the best place to build a business, a career and a future. Learn more at DSMpartnership.com.