12 Steps to a Stronger Economy in Iowa

Submitted by Senate Republican Leader Jerry Behn

There’s no doubt about it – jobs and the economy are what are on hardworking Iowa taxpayers’ minds these days.

That’s why Governor Branstad and Lieutenant Governor Reynolds along with Senate Republicans and House Republicans have continued to introduce our plan to grow Iowa’s economy.

Our plan is straight forward: We know we can make Iowa’s economy stronger through tax relief and reform and by the elimination of job-killing red tape and burdensome regulations. We can do more through increased career opportunities by investing in a skilled and competitive workforce, and by sending a strong message across the country that Iowa is a great place to start and grow a business.

Here are 12 big steps we can take if the right people are put in leadership to make it happen:

Universal Property Tax Reforms

Permanently reduce Iowa’s third highest in the nation commercial and industrial property taxes through a rollback on their taxable value coupled with statewide reforms which reduce property taxes for all Iowans without shifting the taxes between classes of property.

Reduce Personal and Employer Income taxes

Reduce Iowa personal and employer income tax to flatten and lower our extremely high rates so ALL Iowans can keep more of their hard earned income and entrepreneurs can better compete and invest in Iowa.

Jobs Impact Statement

Require regulatory bodies to consider and publish the impact any proposed new rules or regulations may have on jobs in Iowa.  Governor Branstad issued an executive order requiring these jobs-impact statements, but legislation is needed to make this permanent.

Hold Agencies Accountable

Require regulatory bodies to establish timelines to handle applications and permits so bureaucracy is not slowing down economic growth.

Reduce fees

Conduct a review of all fees charged by agencies limiting the fees being collected to the actual cost of government to provide the service.

Improve coordination and maximize job training programs

Improve coordination of Iowa’s patchwork alphabet soup of workforce development programs and remove burdensome usage restrictions to maximize the impact of these critical work skill investments to empower companies and communities to provide the specific training needed to meet their particular needs for a modern skilled workforce.

Expand Entrepreneurship Education

Expand entrepreneurship education and mentorship opportunities to empower Iowans to create jobs.  To that end, consolidate entrepreneurial education and related resources for AEA’s, School Districts, Community Colleges, students and teachers to allow more broad-based access to these vital resources.

Community Colleges

Build upon the record 2013 state investment in our community colleges which will help keep tuition affordable and provide the trained workforce Iowa needs to attract and maintain job creators.

STEM – Science Technology Engineering and Math

Continue to grow the STEM initiative in Iowa by committing to legislation which increases opportunities and education in STEM related fields.  This would include changes to Iowa’s teacher compensation law allowing school districts to pay science and math teachers higher salaries to keep or attract them to teaching.

Easiest state in the nation to start a business

Make Iowa the easiest state in the nation in which to start a business—measured in days, rather than weeks or months.  To that end, create a one-stop electronic shop that pulls together all the start-up links and assistance programs needed to start a business in Iowa in a straightforward and streamlined web portal.

Protect our workforce

Put Right – to – Work in the Iowa Constitution, guaranteeing that Iowa employees will never be forced to join a union in order to keep their job.  It will also help Iowa attract and retain high quality employers and the jobs that come with them.  In addition, Republicans will put a stop to job killing legislation like Prevailing Wage and Open Scope Bargaining.

Make Iowa a Bio-Science Corridor

Make new strategic state investments in bio-science innovations to enhance our leadership position as the best place to research, develop and manufacture the bio-science innovations of the future.  The state of Iowa should partner with our universities, economic development groups, and private businesses to make Iowa a Bio-Science Corridor that fosters job-creating bio-scientific breakthroughs that lead to new innovations, jobs, and incomes for Iowa.

With the right people leading the way and with a focus on the right policies, there is no question that our best days will be ahead of us.

Senate Republicans are committed to making Iowa’s economy stronger!

Thanks for your time and as always, I want to hear from you and I can be reached by phone at 515-281-3560 or by e-mail at Jerry.Behn@legis.iowa.gov

Jerry Behn

Senate Republican Leader

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