DES MOINES – The Iowa Business Council (IBC) announced its 2020 state legislative priorities following its final meeting of 2019.

The Iowa Business Council’s legislative agenda is formed by the organization’s research and high-level initiatives.

Specifically, IBC is focused on:

• Creating and retaining a career ready workforce

• Connecting business with education

• Promoting a strong economic climate

• Increasing and diversifying the state’s overall population.

“As we look to 2020, the Iowa Business Council will be a strong advocate for growing a future ready workforce and fostering a strong economic landscape for all Iowans to thrive,” IBC Board Chair Mary Andringa, said. “Through IBC’s forums, meetings and research, we have outlined critical priorities to our members, the communities they are invested in, and therefore, the state as a whole. We look forward to working with the General Assembly, the Governor and her Administration to advance issues that ensure Iowa’s overall success.”

The Iowa Business Council’s 2020 legislative agenda includes:

• Future Ready Iowa: IBC will continue to support investments in the initiative, including the Last Dollar Scholarship and Employer Innovation Fund and other efforts that enhance the development of a talented workforce.

• Child care: As the IBC conducted forums statewide in 2019, child care concerns were continually raised as it relates to workforce development. As a result, the IBC supports efforts to further address the child care cliff effect while also increasing access to high quality, affordable child care.

• 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 supports the tax reform efforts of 2018 and will support continued efforts in 2020 to make Iowa’s tax code more competitive for all taxpayers.

• Workforce housing: The availability of adequate workforce housing directly impacts the economic climate in Iowa’s communities. Therefore, the IBC supports the expansion of the workforce housing tax credit and increased investment in the state housing trust fund.

“The Iowa Business Council is committed to working with the Governor and the General Assembly to push forward policy initiatives that create an environment where Iowans can prosper,” IBC Executive Director Joe Murphy said. “By addressing workforce barriers, and the broader economic climate, we can create opportunities for future growth.”

For more information on the IBC and to access its research and data, please visit www.IowaBusinessCouncil.org.