Political Agenda
Burlington/West Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce 2008 Legislative Position Statements
The Burlington/West Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce exists to be a catalyst for economic growth and community development in Des Moines County. It is imperative that a successful chamber work within the political realm to advocate positions important to business. The purpose of this set of position statements is to reflect those issues that this Chamber believes are in the best interests of the business community in Greater Burlington and Des Moines County.
General Issue Categories Business ClimateCommunity Revitalization
Infrastructure
Workforce
Position Statements
Business Climate
TIF has been a critical tool for local communities in their economic development efforts. This tool must be preserved.
Commercial and industrial property taxes in Iowa are no longer competitive and getting worse every year. This situation has been created by the residential property rollback, which currently sits at 46% and which goes down every year. In order to fund basic services, cities and counties are forced to increase the levy rate and commercial and industrial pay more every year. This should be viewed as a top economic development priority.
Iowa's income tax system must be simplified. The state is loosing companies, prospects and potential residents who don't take the time to fully research the real tax rate. A flatter and simpler system is needed. Border communities have thousands of workers living across state lines based solely on Iowa's income tax structure.
The Chamber urges all of state and local government to utilize the "lean" principles to improve services and reduce cost.
The wage thresholds for the Iowa Values Fund need to be amended to allow desirable job growth to be promoted. Current levels are unrealistic in Southeast Iowa in the current marketplace. It is not realistic to expect a new employer to be well above the county average wage at start up.
Community Revitalization
Des Moines County and Greater Burlington applied for and received $5.25 million in Vision Iowa funds in 2004. These projects totaling more than $25 million have launched a revitalization of the area. The State of Iowa needs to fund a "Vision Iowa" type program that will encourage communities to create quality of life and destination attractions. Current caps on the Community Attraction Program limit the ability of a community to create and implement larger projects of greater economic impact.
A key component to attracting tourists and residents, including young professionals, to Iowa's communities is vibrant downtown districts. The Chamber urges the Iowa legislature to explore additional ways that the State can assist communities in revitalizing their downtowns. Potential methods are additional investment tax credits, seeding of revolving loan funds and loan guarantees. Thriving downtowns are an important part of the economic development equation.
Iowa is in the bottom ten percent of the nation in state tourism funding at about $4.8 million per year. Illinois spends over $47 million. Iowa and SE Iowa have great potential to attract visitors. The State of Iowa needs to reach at least the national average of $8.3 million in order for communities, regions and the State to maximize the economic development opportunity of tourism.
Eminent domain is a tool that has been used judiciously and wisely in Iowa. It is a tool that communities like Greater Burlington seldom use, but when it is needed can be critical to the long term and greater good of the community.
The best place to make a decision about the use of eminent domain is at the local level. The Chamber supports reconsideration of the eminent domain legislation passed in 2006 and the institution of tools allowing communities to revitalize urban renewal areas.
The Sales Tax Rebate adopted for use in one community for a specific project is a concept worthy of adoption statewide for significant destination projects. The creation of these projects brings visitors and new residents to the state which are sorely needed.
A group of community leaders has been examining for several months the issue of the in migration of welfare recipient families into Greater Burlington and the related issues. Law enforcement, the county attorney, a judge, human service personnel and housing personnel have been brought in to discuss the issue. The conclusion is this: Welfare benefits are easier to get and higher in Iowa than Illinois. It is easier and faster to get low rent housing in Greater Burlington, than Chicago. These factors need to be studied by the Iowa legislature to determine if this is the desired public policy. The Chamber recommends that Iowa address this situation so that persons are not encouraged to relocate to Iowa for better welfare benefits.
Community foundations have grown dramatically in Iowa in recent years due in part to the 20% tax credit that has been available on the Iowa income tax. The tax credit threshold is being reached well ahead of the end of the calendar year. A long backlog and carry-over into the next tax year is anticipated future years. The Chamber urges our legislature to increase the annual tax credit amount to assist communities in growing these foundations, which in turn provide ongoing funds to improve the community.
Since 2005 the Iowa legislature has funded business accelerators to speed the growth of new and existing companies. Southeast Iowa has been awarded funding for one of these accelerators and it will soon begin operations. Funding needs to be continued for business accelerators.
The State of Iowa needs to identify innovative methods for communities and regions to fund economic development efforts. Other states have created new funding mechanisms for economic development which provide in some cases several times the resources that an Iowa community or region would have to markets and incent the location of business. It is imperative that Iowa is able to compete.
Infrastructure
The Chamber urges our state representatives to do everything possible to assist us in the completion of the Highway 61 corridor as four lane from Keokuk to Dubuque. This is a project that was on the DOT's five year plan and needs to be put back in that plan. Transportation is essential to economic development on all fronts, from tourism to status as a regional center of commerce to industrial growth. Commercial corridors are a major asset to economic development. Southeast Iowa has unique opportunities to be a regional transportation center with inter modal options. Great highway systems are the key to the building of these inter modal systems. Legislators are also urged to take an active role in supporting the four lane completion of Highway 34 in Illinois.
Chamber supports the TIME 21 transportation initiative. Iowa must have an aggressive plan for improving and expanding its transportation system. Funding for transportation is currently very inadequate to the need. The Chamber recommends that pick-up truck license fees be equalized with automobiles, except for pick-ups which are used for farm purposes. The Chamber recommends that other methods be sought to increase the funding to complete major corridors connecting commerce centers and assisting local jurisdictions in maintaining safe roads, streets and bridges.
Currently, Greater Burlington has water and sewer challenges that are limiting development opportunities. Local, state and federal government must work together to develop the infrastructure required for future growth.
Greater Burlington businesses and residents must have access to high speed internet. Local units of government, state government, the Chamber of Commerce and private enterprise must work together to insure these services are available.
It is important that local and state elected officials recognize the value of the river from all dimensions and work alongside the Upper Mississippi, Illinois, Missouri Rivers Association and the Chamber to protect and promote the economic vitality of the region. It is very important that the State of Iowa coordinate with the states of Illinois and Missouri on mutually beneficial river issues.
The Chamber requests that marketing resources be allocated to the Southeast Iowa Regional Airport again in the 2008 transportation budget to assist the airport and the new commercial air service provider in restoring and expanding passenger levels.
Workforce
Iowa, and especially rural Iowa, has significant and economy threatening workforce issues in front of us. Population growth is modest in the state and population decline is common place in many parts of the state. The demographics of the population with low education levels and aging citizens is creating worker availability and attraction issues.
The State of Iowa must assist local communities with tools to attract and retain young workers and skilled workers. Without this support, businesses in all but a few Iowa counties are going to face enormous challenges in hiring workers to expand and in hiring workers to fill vacancies created by retirement.
Evidence indicates that Iowa is losing ground nationally and internationally when it comes to the preparation of today's students for tomorrow's workplace. The Iowa educational system should be the state system that others benchmark in the preparation of all students for all walks of life. The Iowa K-12 system should be preparing the best scientists, doctors, teachers, IT personnel, computer-numerical-controlled machine operators, construction workers and service workers in the world. The solutions to these challenges is more complicated than increasing teacher pay and decreasing class sizes. It is further recommended that education through grade twelve be mandatory for all students
Community colleges must be funded at levels that will allow them to lead the way in workforce preparation for the 21st century. Current resources are inadequate for community colleges to meet all of the challenges presented by their employer communities. Many community colleges are preparing workers for a 2008 world with 30-40 year old technology. Significant, long term funding commitments are needed to provide the workforce necessary for the growth of Iowa's economy.
The Chamber has identified the following federal issues.
Federal assistance is needed to insure that Highway 61 in Southeast Iowa and Highway 34 in West Central Illinois will be completed as four lane. These two projects are essential to the economic development of the region.
Continued an increased support of Southeast Iowa Regional Airport is needed. Commercial air service which meets the needs of the business traveler is critical to economic health of the region. Support to sustain and enhance flight options is critical, along with continued resources to maintain and improve infrastructure.
The current pivot railroad bridge conversion to a lift span bridge must be fully funded. This will aid railroad and river commerce.
The Chamber supports final passage of the WRDA legislation, as reported by the conference committee, and subsequent appropriate funding to update and maintain the Mississippi River system as a modern transportation asset.
The Chamber supports development of a systemic flood control plan for the Upper Mississippi River Valley that will protect and promote the economic vitality of the region.
The Chamber supports a balanced regional view of the river that includes current and future needs of the community, property owners, business, recreation and conservation.
Great Burlington has a significant drug problem which becomes an economic issue with lost productivity among the employed and lost contributing members to our workforce. A comprehensive approach will be required to successfully reduce this community problem. Additional and sustained federal assistance will be needed.
As potential worker shortages loom for Iowa and the nation, the Chamber supports streamlining the processes for immigrants with the necessary skills and willingness to contribute to Iowa's economic growth to become legal workers.
After retirement, some workers choose to return to work while receiving their retirement benefits. The Chamber encourages federal officials to refrain from penalizing workers who return to work while still receiving social security benefits.
Affordable, high-quality health care is an Iowa priority and vital to the state's economic development. Yet the single largest payer for care in Iowa, Medicare, fails to pay its fair share. Inadequate Medicare payments effect insurance premiums and doctor recruitment adversely.
Access to affordable quality health care for small business owners and their employees must be improved. The Chamber endorses legislation that promotes consumer-driven health care, such as Health Savings Accounts, Flexible Spending Accounts and increased use of wellness programs. The Chamber supports strengthening and expanding the current employer-based system while developing alternatives for individually-owned health coverage.
