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Greater Des Moines Partnership Unveils 2016 State Legislative Agenda

December 3, 2015

Senate Majority Leader Michael Gronstal (D), Senate Minority Assistant Leader Charles Schneider (R), House Majority Leader Chris Hagenow (R) and House Minority Leader Mark Smith (D) participated in a panel discussion previewing the upcoming legislative session.

The Partnership’s Legislative Agenda was developed by its Government Policy Council, which consists of business members from the Partnership’s 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 2016. The Partnership will focus on the following priorities, listed in no particular order:

  • Iowa’s Cultivation Corridor is a global center of investment, talent, research and technology in the agbiosciences. To aid in the expansion of the bioeconomy and create new jobs in the Corridor and across the state, the Partnership supports the creation and funding of a renewable chemical production tax credit.
  • Iowa’s Water Future Task Force is a collaborative effort of thought leaders in business, agriculture, public policy and academia from rural and urban areas around the state. The Task Force has been charged with finding common ground solutions with layers of recommendations that include legislation, education and technology to improve our state’s water quality, water quantity and soil health, which is key for attracting and retaining talented workers, creating future economic development opportunities and the health and vitality of all in Greater Des Moines and Iowa. Therefore the Partnership supports the recommendations of Iowa’s Water Future Task Force.
  • There is a need to expand, align, restructure, and reform Career and Technical Education (CTE) in Iowa. Therefore, the Partnership supports the adoption of a consistent statewide system that adequately supports innovative, high-quality secondary CTE programs and the adoption of the recommendations of the Secondary CTE Task Force. 

The Partnership’s full State Legislative Agenda is available in electronic form at DSMpartnership.com/about/public-policy/state-advocacy. Media inquiries should be directed to Sophia S. Ahmad at (515) 286-4919 or sahmad@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.