The Iowa Business Council (IBC) has released its 2024 legislative agenda.
During the organization’s final meeting of the year, IBC members voted to focus on initiatives that will increase Iowa’s tax competitiveness, enhance strategic workforce opportunities that increase Iowa’s talent pipeline, and support policies that improve Iowa’s ability to attract and retain cutting-edge companies.
“The Iowa Business Council remains firmly committed to its founding mission to serve as a catalyst for economic growth in Iowa,” said IBC Chair and Collins Aerospace President of Mission Systems Phil Jasper in a news release. “Our state has taken significant steps in recent years to thoughtfully increase our competitiveness while also advancing key measures that enhance our workforce retention and recruitment capabilities. That work must continue in 2024 and beyond.”
The IBC 2024 state legislative priorities include:
- Competitive Tax Policy: The IBC will focus on maximizing the efforts to make Iowa’s income tax system more competitive for individuals and corporations. Long-term, achieving a top-15 most competitive states ranking in individual and corporate tax climate will help create jobs, expand business, and drive innovation.
- Workforce Strategies: The IBC will advocate for initiatives that grow Iowa’s workforce including work-based learning programs, child care, and housing. The IBC will also continue its support for Iowa’s mental health systems. By partnering with a broad coalition of stakeholders, the IBC will work toward increasing the supply of mental health professionals while also exploring increasing public funding mechanisms.
- Major Economic Growth Attraction (MEGA) Program: The IBC fully supports the passage of the MEGA Program legislation. This economic development tool is tailored to expand business opportunities in Iowa that will be primarily engaged in research and development, bioscience, or advanced manufacturing while investing at least $1 billion in Iowa and providing high quality, high paying jobs.
As Iowa’s workforce continues to be limited across all industry sectors, the IBC also supports federal immigration reform and modernization as a tool to bolster economic development and population growth. Increasing visa caps, expediting processing, and providing efficient opportunities to retain foreign born talent who were educated throughout Iowa’s higher educational system are approaches that will enhance Iowa’s workforce.
“We are excited to continue our advocacy efforts to make Iowa a more competitive place to do business and create a high quality life,” said Joe Murphy, president of the Iowa Business Council.
To learn more, visit IowaBusinessCouncil.org.
