A note from the Iowa Chamber Alliance Executive Director

The 2017 session of the 87th Iowa General Assembly has come to a close and adjourned Sine Die at about 7:15 a.m. after a difficult all-night push to finish its business.

While we faced several challenges, the Iowa Chamber Alliance had a very good year. We saw passage of a uniform minimum wage across the state, needed reforms to the work comp system, and reforms to collective bargaining that will have lasting impact in local and state government budgets.

While the State's budget presented challenges, we were able to keep the economic development incentives from being cut in the de-appropriate for the current fiscal year and the appropriation for the coming year. ICA also led the charge to oppose efforts to cap, alter and reduce tax credits on business without necessary tax reform, which would have increased taxes on business and industry by at least $163 million.

There are many more bills ICA supported that passed into law or sent to the Governor for his consideration that we will detail them in our session wrap-up.

Finally, while water quality did not make it over the finish line, ICA advocated strongly for long term sustainable funding, inclusion of industrial point source, and real collaboration, all of which we believe is achievable next year. We went the extra mile to try to forge a compromise and were, to my knowledge, the only party that produced compromise language. We left it all on the playing field trying to get a solid bill to the Governor. We remain committed to doing that next year.

More than anything, and thanks to your advocacy at home, ICA asserted leadership this session. We were at the forefront on several issues. We were unapologetic advocates for business and economic growth. We developed new relationships and participated and led new coalitions. And we have great opportunities to continue to take ICA to the next level.

On behalf of Strategic Elements and Brad and Dustin at the Nyemaster Law Firm (who performed well above and beyond the call of duty for ICA), we say thank you for your continued support and engagement.

We look forward to working with you in the interim to position for even more success in 2018!

Regards,
John Stineman
Executive Director
Iowa Chamber Alliance