DES MOINES, IOWA (December 20, 2023) — 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 continue to 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 Phil Jasper, IBC Chair and Collins Aerospace President of Mission Systems. “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 recent efforts to make Iowa’s income-tax system more competitive for individuals and corporations. Long-term, achieving a top-fifteen most competitive states ranking in both individual and corporate-tax climate will help create jobs, expand business, and drive innovation.
Workforce Strategies: The availability of a talented pipeline is critical for long-term economic prosperity in Iowa. The IBC will continue to advocate for initiatives that grow Iowa’s workforce including work-based learning programs, child care, and housing for all. 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 towards 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 important economic development tool is specifically 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 an effective 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 all common-sense 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. The IBC looks forward to working with all members of the Iowa General Assembly and Governor [Kim] Reynolds throughout 2024 in pursuit of these initiatives,” said Joe Murphy, President of the Iowa Business Council.
To learn more, visit IowaBusinessCouncil.org.
About the Iowa Business Council
The Iowa Business Council (IBC) is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization whose 22 members are the chief decision-makers of major Iowa employers. Employing over 150,000 Iowans, 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: Alliant Energy; Atlantic Coca-Cola Bottling Company; Casey’s General Stores Inc; Collins Aerospace; Corteva Agriscience; Deere and Company; Fareway; HNI Corporation; Hy-Vee Inc; Iowa Bankers Association; Kent Corporation; MercyOne; MidAmerican Energy Company; Pella Corporation; Principal; Ruan Transportation Management Systems; The Weitz Company; UnityPoint Health; Vermeer Corporation; Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Iowa; Wells Enterprises Inc; and Workiva.
