(Spencer)– The Iowa Great Lakes Corridor of Opportunity has issued it’s wish list for the legislative session.
Executive Director Chad Shryock says they’ve identified 13 priorities they’re hoping the legislature will address this session. They include the following:
1.) Strengthen and enhance the Grow Iowa Values Fund.
2.) Preserve and enhance Community Economic Betterment Account (CEBA) funding.
3.) Establish a seed capital fund adequate in size and scope to provide critical financial resources to individuals and companies during the startup phase.
4.) Promote a competitive, fair tax policy that fosters economic growth.
5.) Develop and aggressively fund a long-term statewide marketing strategy that portrays the state as a good place to live and work.
6.) Continue funding for successful state economic development programs and activities.
7.) Maintain workforce development programs.
8.) Retain and promote Iowa’s Right-To-Work Law.
9.) Support incentives for cooperative planning between governments.
10.) Promote sound land use policies.
11.) Resist efforts to erode local control over the use of tax increment financing.
12.) Maintain local control over local property tax and spending decisions.
13.) The state of Iowa should develop a comprehensive transportation policy with representatives from all transportation modes relating to highways, railroads, airports and waterways.
Shryock says copies of the priorities have been sent to area legislators, both the majority and minority leadership of both houses of the general assembly and to the Governor.
