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Greater Des Moines Partnership Unveils 2017 State Legislative Agenda

December 8, 2016

The Greater Des Moines Partnership unveiled its 2017 State Legislative Agenda today at a luncheon at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden in Downtown Des Moines (DSM).

The Partnership’s Legislative Agenda was developed by its Government Policy Council, which consists of Business Members from the Partnership’s 22 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:

  • The Partnership supports allocating sufficient, permanent and dedicated funding sources to meet infrastructure needs for non-point and point sources that are targeted and prioritized by watershed with annual accountability for the state’s investment.
  • The Partnership supports efforts to reform corporate and personal income tax policies to simplify and reduce Iowa’s income tax rates to strengthen Iowa’s economic competitiveness.
  • The Partnership supports provisions to provide Central Iowa communities more local control of sales tax revenues.
  • The Partnership supports funding for the renovation of the State Historical Building and State Historical Museum. The renovated building will allow the museum to once again serve as a world-class attraction for visitors to our capital city.
  • The Partnership supports the state’s Future Ready Iowa initiative to ensure that the state has a talent pipeline that is aligned to and prepared for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

“The Partnership is excited to proactively advocate for our priority issues that will create jobs and prosperity across the region and make Greater Des Moines an attractive place for people to live and work,” said Joe Murphy, Senior Vice President of Government Relations and Public Policy for The Partnership. “We look forward to working with the General Assembly and the Governor to pass meaningful legislation that will benefit Partnership Members throughout the region.”

In addition to unveiling the legislative agenda, The Partnership welcomed Incoming Senate President Jack Whitver (R — Ankeny), Senate Democratic Leader Rob Hogg (D — Cedar Rapids) and Iowa House Representative Jo Oldson (D — Des Moines) to discuss the upcoming session.

The Partnership’s full State Legislative Agenda is available online here.

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 330 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.