2022 Legislative Priorities

On Wednesday, Dec. 8, more than 175 attendees joined the Greater Des Moines Partnership at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden and virtually to celebrate The Partnership’s 2021 legislative successes and unveil the 2022 featured priorities. We heard from 2021 Partnership Board Chair Fred Buie and Public Policy Manager Ryan Moon. I had the privilege of moderating a Q&A session with legislative leaders: Senator Brad Zaun, Senator Zach Wahls, Representative Brent Siegrist and Representative Jennifer Konfrst.

As the 2021 Government Policy Council (GPC) chair, I had the privilege to lead the GPC in drafting the 2022 State Agenda along with consideration from The Partnership’s Members and Investors. This agenda will be important when the 89th General Assembly begins on Monday, Jan. 10. The Partnership will focus on the following priorities:

Des Moines International Airport

The Partnership supports state funding for the Des Moines International Airport’s terminal project. It is critical to invest in a modernized airport to accommodate the state’s economic growth and ensuring a safe and smooth traveling experience for business and commercial passengers.

Talent

The Partnership supports strategies to address the existing talent shortages felt by many impacted industries, including continued and expanded support for Future Ready Iowa initiatives, opportunities to engage untapped talent for the workforce such as foreign-born and returning citizens and policies that ensure Iowa continues to be a welcoming place that is open for business.

Pro-Growth Tax Policies

The Partnership supports a tax structure that encourages business growth through predictability and protection of existing tax exemptions and economic development tools, a decrease in the corporate income tax rate, funding of Iowa’s Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund and an option for a transit hotel-motel tax.

Community Placemaking

The Partnership supports the creation of a large-scale investment program designed to transform Iowa’s communities, main streets and local economies through creative placemaking and community development. Projects such as the ICON Water Trails, the Pro Iowa Soccer Stadium and Global Plaza, and others are key Partnership priority projects that benefit the entire DSM USA region.

Child Care

The Partnership supports the recommendations of the Iowa Skills2Compete Coalition and the Governor’s Child Care Task Force to increase affordable access to quality child care and promote stabilization in the child care workforce.

Housing

The Partnership supports the increase of workforce housing options through policies that leverage federal, state and local resources to address the existing housing shortage throughout Iowa. The Partnership supports an increase in the Workforce Housing Tax Credit, the State Housing Trust Fund and additional incentives for communities and employers to invest in new and existing housing for all Iowans.

Broadband

The Partnership supports continued investment in broadband infrastructure to ensure Iowa can recruit and retain businesses and talent and help existing businesses grow and be successful through remote work and flexible work arrangements.

The Partnership Policy Team looks forward to working with the Governor, Iowa General Assembly and state agencies to accomplish mutually beneficial legislative goals and objectives for the economic betterment of the State of Iowa.

As I wrap up as the 2021 GPC chair, I look forward to passing the role to Onnalee Kelley with MidAmerican Energy Company who will serve as the 2022 chair.

The Partnership's Public Policy team engages with local, state and federal officials to create public policy that generates economic growth, business prosperity and talent development in Greater Des Moines (DSM). The Partnership is a nonpartisan organization.