IBC Optimistic for 2022 Session After Condition of the State Speech

January 12, 2022

IBC Optimistic for 2022 Session After Condition of the State Speech

Child Care, Tax Reform, Workforce Development Critical to Iowa’s Success

DES MOINES – Governor Kim Reynolds addressed a number of bipartisan issues in her Condition of the State speech that have been the focus of Iowa Business Council (IBC) members leading into the 2022 legislative session. These agenda items include: child care, competitive tax policy, housing and workforce development.

"The Iowa Business Council is excited to see a number of our legislative priorities included in Governor Reynold’s proposal. Tackling workforce initiatives that make it easier for all Iowans to successfully participate in the economy will ultimately result in a state that thrives. One powerful workforce issue that impacts all Iowans are tax rates. This year, lawmakers have a unique opportunity to reform Iowa’s tax system so it is more competitive for everyone. We currently rank 38th out of 50 states in both corporate and individual taxes. As we look to grow Iowa’s population, modernizing our tax system is critical to making Iowa a more attractive place to live and do business.” says IBC Executive Director Joe Murphy. “We look forward to working with lawmakers to advance these priority areas and ensure Iowa is a competitive place to live, work and raise a family,” he adds.

The Iowa Business Council 2022 state legislative agenda includes:

  • Child Care: As the state continues to recover from the pandemic, access to high quality, affordable child care has never been more important to Iowa’s families and the economy. Iowa leads the nation with both parents working outside the home, yet there is a shortfall of more than 350,000 child care slots in our state. In an effort to address these shortfalls and ensure child care availability is not an impediment to Iowans entering and remaining in the workforce, the IBC supports the recommendations of the Iowa Child Care Taskforce.
     
  • Competitive Tax Policy: To continue to strengthen Iowa’s economic climate, the IBC will remain engaged in efforts that provide a simple, transparent, and stable tax structure. The IBC will support continued efforts in 2022 to make Iowa’s tax code more competitive for all taxpayers. Iowa’s corporate and individual tax rate indexes continuously rank in the bottom twelve nationally. By improving our standing on these key metrics, Iowa companies would be able to offer more competitive compensation and benefits that will drive the attraction and retention of critically needed talent.
     
  • Housing: The availability of adequate workforce housing directly impacts the economic climate in Iowa’s communities. To fill the jobs that growing businesses create, adequate housing stock is necessary to attract and retain workers. As the state continues to recover from the economic consequences of the pandemic, housing is poised to be a vital catalyst for expanded economic growth and development.
     
  • Workforce Development: The IBC supports innovative policies that lead to an increase in Iowa’s talent pipeline. We will continue to support investments in the Future Ready Iowa initiative and other work-based learning efforts within the K-12 system that help develop and prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.

###

About the Iowa Business Council

The Iowa Business Council (IBC) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization whose 22 members are the chief decision makers of major Iowa employers. One in six jobs in Iowa are tied to an IBC company. IBC member companies have invested billions of dollars of capital in Iowa's commercial infrastructure; lead the way in technology innovation, R&D, and grants procured; and are often the driving financial and volunteer forces behind philanthropic efforts all over the state.

IBC member companies include: Ruan Transportation Management Systems; Vermeer Corporation; Iowa Bankers Association; Alliant Energy; Casey’s General Stores, Inc.; Collins Aerospace; Corteva Agriscience; Deere & Company; Fareway Stores, Inc.; HNI Corporation; Hy-Vee, Inc., Kent Corporation; Mercy Health Network; Meredith Corporation; MidAmerican Energy Company; Pella Corporation; Principal; The Weitz Company; The University of Iowa Health Care; UnityPoint Health; Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa; and Wells Enterprises, Inc.

 

Return to News